Highlights:

• Snaps bend to the light (like tulips) and are gravity sensitive. To prevent spikes from bending towards the light and the heavens, keep them vertical and brightly lit from above. DO NOT LAY ON THEIR SIDE!
• All snapdragons are ethylene sensitive which it makes flowers “shatter” or fall off all at once. Keep away from fruit! Newer hybrids are less susceptible than older cultivars.
• Post harvest: Treat with floral preservative containing an anti-ethylene agent, an antimicrobial and a sugar
• Storage: Chill at 39–43°F, and at a relative humidity of 75–85%

Aphids, Thrips and Spider Mites

The most common diseases affecting snapdragons are: Botrytis Blight, Downy Mildew, Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus, Powdery Mildew, Pythium, Rust and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

Other common problems include: high media pH, Iron or Boron deficiency and excessive side shoots indicative of high fertility levels or excessive moisture.

Complexities of snapdragon flower design and scent for their pollinatorThe native species Antirrhinum majus, is a bush found in the dry, rocky areas of western Europe in Portugal, Spain and southern France. The plant is specialized for its pollinator – bumble bees. In its native range of the Iberian Peninsula, Bobus hortorum, Bombus muscorum, Bombus pascuorum, Bombus ruderatus and Bombus terrestris are the frequent and common species.Snapdragon spikes are racemous inflorescences consisting of tubes made up of five petals. The characteristic dragon jaw of the flower is called the “lower lip” or “lower lobe” petal. For a bumble bee to get to the nectar of the flower, it uses the lower lip as a landing pad. It then crawls up the palate and pushes against the upper lip or lobe to enter the mouth of the flower tube. In doing so, the bee brushes against stamens and petal tissue emitting the scent oil. After feasting on nectar, the bumble bee is then bathed in pollen and scent by this amazing flower design. Once back at the hive, the scent entices other bees to visit the plant. Mother nature is truly amazing!The mechanics of the dragon jaw require the size and strength of the bumble bee to open. Honeybees and many other smaller, solitary bees and wasps are unable to heft the heavy lobes up. In some instances, lazier bumble bees enter the flower tube from a side (which requires less lifting) and prop open the flower. Smaller pollinators may use this opening to access the nectar. However, this isn’t a common occurrence and the opening may not be permanent depending on the size of the bumble bee.The snapdragon scent profile is highly complex and made up of numerous volatile organic compounds that evaporate easily in warm weather. Scent increases as the flowers mature where the stamens are actively shedding pollen, and the ovary is ready for fertilization. Since bumble bees are active after sunrise and late into the afternoon, mature snapdragon petals emit scent four times greater during the day than at night and in a near match to the activity levels of bumble bees from 11 am to 4 pm.

Yes! There are several cultivars of trailing snapdragon. Click on the link to see the growing guide.

• Candy Showers by Sakata®
• Luminaire™ by Ball Seed

As noted in the Extending Your Season section above, getting consistent blooms in September depends on your latitude (daylength), temperature and snapdragon variety.

Here are three examples depending on where the snaps are planted.

Note, that for snapdragons to grow in southern latitudes, sow indoors in August and plant out once evening temperatures drop into the 60s.

If you are cutting short stems on snapdragons, you likely are growing a short or middle variety. Cultivars come in four heights: dwarf, short, middle and tall. Look for cultivars that say they are good for cut flowers. This blog lists the top cultivars used in cut flower production.

The tallest snapdragon cultivars are: Admiral (48 – 54 in), Chantilly (48 – 54 in) and Potomac (40 – 60 in).

Snapdragon Rust is a fungus that’s been around since the 1800s. Puccinia antirrhini cause small, yellow spots on the leaves. Unless you are paying close attention, you won’t notice the yellow spots until they mature into chocolate-brown pustules. The spores that emerge from these pustules are spread by wind mostly but also possibly by rain and insects. The infection and incubation of these spores occurs best when temperatures are between 50°F and 75°F. Once temperatures exceed 90°F (ish), the spores cannot survive.

Prevention of rust on snapdragons
The recommendations from most cooperative extensions is the same prevention that you do for powdery mildew. See below.

• Frequently remove all rust-infected leaves and badly infected plants and destroy by burning, rapid composting, or burying. At the end of the growing season, carefully clean up and destroy all crop debris.
• Sterilize benches and propagation rooms with an appropriate greenhouse disinfectant.
• Keep the humidity within the greenhouse at less than 80%.
• Increasing air movement by adding fans which will prevent moisture from condensing on the foliage.
• Practice only surface watering and avoid splashing water onto foliage. If overhead irrigation is necessary, water in the early morning when plants will dry quickly.
• Space plants far enough apart to allow for good air circulation.

I struggled in answering this question. Whose favorite colors?! So here is the current low stock list for seed by order of least available. Please keep in mind that this likely reflects the needs of growers for the winter/spring season and therefore the pastel color pallet.

1. Yellows including Lemon and Light Yellow
2. White
3. Pink and Rose
4. Reds
5. Violets and Purple
6. Oranges including Orange Sunset and Glorious Orange
7. Bicolors and unique types such as Appleblossom and Purple Twist