Planting Snapdragons for Dummies

Sergio Gonzalez, Abel Hagos, Jason Van, Jonathan Van Note

Table of Contents

iii

Table of Contents
Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................. iii
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ v
List of Supplies ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Pick a Pot .................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Choose Dirt ........................................................................................................................................................... 11
Where to Plant a Snapdragon........................................................................................................................ 15
Plant your Snapdragons .................................................................................................................................. 19
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................................. 21
Index ....................................................................................................................................................................... 25

Introduction

Introduction
This is meant for someone who is new to planting plants. Through this manual we will be
helping you plant a Snapdragon plant. We start off the manual with a list of supplies youll need
to get started. After the supplies we will help you choose a pot based on your situation. After you
have chosen a pot that fits your situation we go on to guiding you through picking the right type
of soil. Next we will tell you where would be best to plant the Snapdragon based on your
environment. Finally we will teach you the proper way to plant it and maintain it healthy. If you
are having any trouble planting the Snapdragon or need to find some keywords with the index
they will be at the end of the manual.

List of Supplies

List of Supplies
1. A house/ building of residence
2. Desired amount of seed packets
3. One or more pots (depending on amount of seeds bought)
4. Soil
5. Water
6. Sunlight (batteries not included)
7. Organic fertilizer
8. Small gardening clippers
9. (In the case of aphids) ladybugs to eat the aphids.
10. Organic pesticides

Pick a Pot

Pick a Pot
When it comes down to picking a pot you have several different
options. The main things you should look at when
choosing a pot is how big and what it is made of.
The size of the pot depends on the size of the
plant. As long as the plant has enough space for
the roots it will be fine.
The material the pot is made of can affect how
often you have to water and how long the
container lasts. Pots made out of material with a lot of pores, like clay, dry
out more than ones made of plastic or wood. This would require you to
water them more in hot or windy climates. If choosing wood you should
look for some made out of rot-resistant materials.

There are a few features that should be taken into consideration are:

Drainage holes
o keeps :
soils from becoming swampy
the roots from drowning ( leads to plant dying)
Saucer
o holds in excess water from drainage holes
Color
o Darker color pot
holds in heat more
o Lighter color pot
heats up and cools down quicker

Most pots have drainage holes. If they dont you can drill them in
yourself. Eight through ten evenly spaced one inch holes will be
fine for the drainage holes.
For the Snapdragons we will be
using a large tan plastic pot like
the following one:

Choose Dirt

11

Choose Dirt
Snapdragons are neutral soil pH of 6.2 to 7. pH is simply a measure of how acid or alkaline a
substance is, and soil acidity or alkalinity. The reason why its neutral is because they are shortlived plants but organic matter will increase the plant's lifespan and health.
How to find out which soil is best
1. Purchasing the right soil isnt hard you can go to Home Depot get a small bag of for 5-8$
of garden soil I recommend the Miracle-growing

2.
Getting the soil is easy but keeping the soil healthy for the Snapdragons is a little more
difficult. There is two options
0
2.1 To increase pH level can be done by using limestone rock they are the most
common way they can be used in granular, hydrated, pelletized, or pulverized
forms.
2.1.1
2.1.2

I recommend when using these item to include them in a

mix when changing out the soil.
To decrease pH level can be done by using sulfur (or
sulphur) this is the easiest and cheapest way to go.

2.2 I recommend when using this item to

spread it on the top of the soil be noted
sulfur acts slow so sprinkling more
wont cause much damage.
3.
Now to check the pH level is to use a tester can
be easily purchase from amazon for less than 5$. Easy to
use just stick it inside the pot and keep the level on a
constant level of minimum 6.3 and maximum 7.2
.

13

Where to Plant a

Snapdragon

15

Where to Plant a Snapdragon

1. Make sure the Snapdragon has access to sunlight.
2. The soil the Snapdragons are planted on must offer good drainage. Good drainage
prevents the Snapdragons from becoming waterlogged

.
3. During the summer, plant the Snapdragon in an area that provides shade. Hot
temperatures dry out and kill the Snapdragon.
4. During the winter, plant the Snapdragon seeds indoors. The Snapdragons can be moved
outside after winter is over. The sunlight during spring will allow the Snapdragons to
bloom.
5. Temporary containers can be used while the Snapdragons begin growing indoors. The
figure below provides an example of Snapdragons that began growing during the winter.

16

Snapdragons are perennials that are only hardy to about the USDA hardiness zone 8-9. Hardiness
refers to the ability of certain plants to grow in certain climates. The map shows the areas of the

U.S where Snapdragons are most likely to grow.

*The yellow and orange areas of the map show where Snapdragons are most likely to grow.

17

18

Plant your Snapdragons

19

Plant your Snapdragons

1. Obtain Snapdragon seeds from your local home-improvement or garden care store.

2.
Sow indoors on the surface of the soil 8 weeks before the final frost of the season and
apply enough water for the soil to be wet, but not oversaturated.

3.

Plant the Snapdragons outdoors after the last frost.

4.
Pinch back the younger Snapdragons that have 4-6 leaves to encourage bushier growing
habits.

5.
Apply organic fertilizer for best
plant health.

20

6.

Cut off the heads of older, dead flower heads to encourage newer, healthier buds.

Troubleshooting
1. My Snapdragon did not grow at all! - Make sure you plant your Snapdragon in dirt or
water it occasionally.
2. The plant that grew is not a Snapdragon! - Make sure you buy Snapdragon seeds next
time.
3. The plant is infest with aphids/rust- Treat the problem using organic garden pest solutions
and keep watch for any more pests.
4. My Snapdragon is not budding correctly. - Clip the old buds off of the Snapdragons to
promote new growth.
5. My plant is wilting due to being too hot/ too cold- Avoid planting the Snapdragon in
extreme temperatures. If possible, move it to a better temperature area for the plants
health
6. My plant is waterlogged- use a pot with drainage holes.
7. Low quality soil- Purchase fertilizer for your lawn.
8. Need to collect seed- Attach a small paper bag around the base of the seed pod in order to
catch the seeds.

Snapdragon Flower. Sparking Indian Tour, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

"Large Cream Planter: Tan Color Plastic Flower Pot (17" Diameter, 15" Height)." Amazon. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"12-1/4 In. Terra Cotta Clay Pot-01310SZ at The Home Depot." The Home Depot. N.p., n.d.
Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Acacia Rustic Wooden Barrel Plant Pot." Acacia Rustic Wooden Barrel Plant Pot. N.p., n.d.
Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Acacia Rustic Wooden Barrel Plant Pot." Acacia Rustic Wooden Barrel Plant Pot. N.p., n.d.
Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Burpee Snapdragon Flower Seed Packet." Shop Burpee Snapdragon Flower Seed Packet at
Lowes.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"How to Sow SeedsPart two." You Should Grow That. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Snapdragon Sprouts." Good To Grow. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"Want More Flowers? Take Off a Few Heads | Minnesota Gardener Magazine ENewsletter."
Want More Flowers? Take Off a Few Heads | Minnesota Gardener Magazine ENewsletter. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
"The Basics of Fertilizing." Bonnie Plants. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2014
Lanotti, Marie. "Snapdragons- Growing and Caring for Snapdragon Plants."
Gardening.about.com. About.com, 17 May 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
<http://gardening.about.com/od/plantprofiles/p/Snapdragons.htm>.
Tates, Kevin. "Snapdragon Flowers." Guide to Houseplants. Guide to Houseplants, 30 July 2012.
Web. 11 Nov. 2014. <http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/Snapdragon-flowers.html>.

Index
Drainage holes, 7
health, 11, 20
Miracle-growing, 11
organic fertilizer, 20
pH level, 11

Saucer, 7
season, 19
Supplies, iii, 3
USDA hardiness zone, 16
waterlogged, 15