Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
Snapdragons aren't just plain, old bedding plants you pick up at the garden store! Snaps are a workhorse in a cutting or cottage garden. Blooming in an array of colors, including variegated, the florets can be traditional, open-faced, or azalea. The spikey flowers give depth to a bouquet with excellent vase life. And who can resist the charm of squeezing the flower at the receptacle (base) and watch the 'dragon' open its mouth? Snapdragons are edible, although quite spicy, so using as a colorful garnish may be preferred!
How to Grow Snapdragon
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Growing from Seed
It is generally recommended to transplant snapdragons, although they can be grown from seed. Surface sow- seeds need light to germinate. Covering seeds with vermiculite helps retain moisture.
You can leave the seedling to grow a long, single stem, or pinch the seedling when they are several inches/centimeters tall with 3-4 sets of true leaves. This will encourage multiple stems per plant with good stem length for bouquets.
Planting Considerations
There are 4 groups of snapdragons, when sowing choose the group that corresponds with when you transplanting: 1- shortdays/low light, 2- increasing daylight/temps, 3-spring, 4- long days/high temps (nights above 60°F or 15°C).
Snapdragons can overwinter through temperatures to 28°F (-2°C). Frost cloth or tunnels are recommended for temperatures in the high teens/low negatives. A fall sowing leads to early, sturdy spring flowering plants.
Horizontal nylon netting is recommended for snapdragons: if the flower stems lean or fall over, they will begin bending upwards towards the sun within minutes.
Keep an eye out for budworms- small holes in the buds and worms visible inside open florets. When caught early, using an organic spray like Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew® can help. Otherwise, pulling the crop so the pests don't spread is needed.
Feeding
Snapdragons do not need fertilizing.
Harvesting
Pick snapdragons when 1/3 of florets are open. Stems will bend in the bucket, keep upright and away from a direct light source.
