Growing Potted Nasturtium Plants
Growing nasturtiums in a container couldn’t be easier, even for kids or beginning gardeners. You can start seeds indoors about a month before the last expected frost in your area, and then move them into a container when they have a few sets of leaves. While occasionally finicky about transplanting, to eliminate this problem, just start the seeds in peat pots. That way, you can simply pop the little peat pots directly into the larger container without disturbing the roots. Soak seeds overnight before planting. Although soaking the seeds isn’t absolutely necessary, it can speed germination time and get the nasturtiums off to a flying start. Plant nasturtium seeds directly in the container after you’re sure all danger of frost has passed. Fill your container with good-quality potting mix. Nasturtium in pots don’t need rich soil, so start them with a potting mix without pre-added fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can produce lots of foliage but with few blooms. Also, be sure the pot has a drainage hole in the bottom. Plant a few nasturtium seeds in the pot, at a depth of about ½ inch (1.27 cm.). Water lightly. Continue to water seedlings as needed to keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy or saturated. Place the pot in a warm spot where the seeds are exposed to full sunlight.
Caring for Nasturtium in a Container
Thin the tiny plants if they appear too crowded in the pot; one healthy plant is plenty in a small pot while a larger pot may accommodate two or three plants. To thin potted nasturtiums, just remove weak plants and allow the stronger plants to continue growing. Once the potted nasturtium plants are up and established, water only when the top two inches (5 cm.) of soil feels dry to the touch. Nasturtiums are drought-tolerant and may rot in soggy soil. Keep in mind that a nasturtium in a container will dry out much faster than a plant grown in the ground. Nasturtium in pots may need water every day during hot weather. If their growth appears weak, feed container growing nasturtiums using a very diluted solution of a general-purpose water-soluble fertilizer.
