Propagation of Nemesia Cheiranthus

Preparation

• Store the Nemesia cheiranthus seeds inside a refrigerator for one week before sowing, as cold temperatures will break their natural dormancy. Remove the seeds from the refrigerator and allow them to reach room temperature just before sowing them. Prepare a planting container as the seeds are warming to room temperature. Fill each cell of a six-pack growing container with rich, perlite-enhanced potting soil.

Sowing

• Sow one Nemesia cheiranthus seed in each cell of the six-pack container. Place the seeds on the surface of the soil. Press them lightly into the surface of the soil with your thumb. Spread a 1/16-inch-thick layer of soil over each seed. Firm the soil on top of the seeds to anchor them. Sprinkle fine sand over the soil in each cell to help regulate moisture loss from the soil.

Care

• Place the six-pack growing container near a source of very bright light, such as beneath a large, unshaded window. Apply bottom heat to the growing container with a propagation mat. Set the temperature on the warming mat to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 58 degrees at night. Water the seeds with a spray bottle whenever the soil feels dry on the surface. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely, as the seeds will germinate unreliably and may produce weak or misshapen sprouts. Watch for germination 10 to 21 days after sowing the seeds.

Aftercare

• Keep the temperature on the warming mat set at 65 degrees after the seeds germinate. Maintain light to moderate moisture in the top inch of soil at all times. Move the growing container outdoors after the last frost. Keep it in a bright, sunny location for one week before planting the seedlings 6 inches apart in a sunny bed with rich, acidic soil and excellent drainage.