Re: seeding perennials now
- To:
- Subject: Re: seeding perennials now
- From: M* T*
- Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 20:07:23 -0500
Well, anything that would normally self-seed in your garden could be sown
outside now with a fair chance of success. Keep in mind that when plants
self-seed, they distribute a humongous amount of seed, of which only a
small portion will survive and germinate. Some becomes food for birds and
other critters, some lands in inhospitable spots and some just doesn't make
it. So, when you scatter seed or sow them outside, instead of in a more
controlled pot or flat environment, you are likely to have fewer seeds
germinate. To ensure sufficient plants with outdoor sowing, you need to be
generous and figure on having to do some thinning if all goes well.
Unless a plant resents transplanting (I think Nigella is one), I prefer to
sow in pots and then put the pots outside, covered with wire screening to
keep out critters and debris, and let Ma Nature provide the watering and
oscillating temperatures. Best of both worlds IMO:-)
Plants that self seed don't have anyone covering them with soil. What
happens is that the seed gets washed into cracks in the soil by rain and
splashed with soil by rain so that it does get covered to some degree. You
can *lightly* cover most seed - poppies and some others want light to
germinate and those should just be pressed into the soil so they don't wash
away completely at the first downpour - those very tiny seeds will end up
covered to some extent by rain action, but don't want to be buried. The
bigger the seed, the more soil you can safely put over top of
it...generally (everything in gardening is "generally").
Plants that are not hardy at all (like those of tropical origins) generally
want warmth to germinate and their seeds may not be able to withstand
frosty temperatures. This said, I have had the occasional Nasturtium self
seed, but it is rather rare in my climate...these I would hold until
spring. They prefer cooler temperatures, but do not require cold ones to
germinate. Early spring for them, but after danger of hard frost is past.
If the soil is too cold and wet, the seed will just rot.
I have never grown Sweet Peas, but, from what I've read they are like
garden peas and need to be sown in very early spring. Just been re-reading
Henry Mitchell's 'Everyman's Garden' book and he started his inside in
February - one seed to a pot - and set them out ....oh, when was
it?....think early March....in a previously prepared bed (bed prepared in
fall). Like garden peas, those seeds will rot if in very cold, wet soil.
I believe he said that the original seedling then died and new growth
sprouted from below ground stem nodes...could be wrong as my memory is not
what it used to be. Anybody who grows them on this list...please step in
and correct me if I've got it totally wrong.
Nicotiana is a tender perennial, grown as an annual in most temperate
climates. I have the occasional one self seed, but this is very fine seed
and I'd wait until spring to sow it. If sown in early spring, they will
bloom for you by summer. Now, N. sylvestris seeds around with incredible
abandon and even remains perennial for me, coming back from thick roots, if
my winter has been mild and I pile on the mulch. Most of the Nicotiana
with colored flowers won't do this....can't think of species name for these
guys right now. You may have better luck at them overwintering in your
climate, which is milder than mine.
Knowing just what each different plant requires takes a fair amount of
research digging until you've grown it a while. As far as I have been able
to find, there is no definitive work, either in print or on the web
(perhaps except Norm Deno's tome, which I do not have) that lists every
genus and species of plant and its germination requirements...and these can
vary within a species from variety to variety.
Searching the Propagation list archives (as Duncan suggested), using the
plant you want to find out about as the keyword for the search, will give
you a lot of information about some plants. Almost any garden related
email list generates numerous posts about propagating and germination for
various and sundry plants, so you can also do searches of all archives you
can find. Our own listowner, Chris Lindsey, maintains archives of many
lists besides Perennials on Mallorn.com (including Duncan's Propagation
list, shown as 'seeds', its old name, on the directory) ....go to:
http://www.mallorn.com/lists/
Alpine-L generates numerous erudite posts about propagation and germination
for an amazingly diverse number of plants (many I never knew existed). You
can also search those archives at
http://listserv.surfnet.nl/scripts/wa.exe?S1=alpine-L
You can also go visit Tom Clothiers germination database, which will tell
you what a specific plants seed requires for germination for an extensive
list of plants. If it needs a cold period or oscillating temperatures, you
can go ahead and plant it now. If it requires only warmth to germinate,
wait until spring when your sowing will not have to survive the rigors of
critters and weather and you'll likely have more seed germinate.
Said germination database can be found - along with a great deal of
excellent information about growing from seed - at:
http://www.anet-chi.com/~manytimes/
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor: Gardening in Shade
current article: Subtle Pleasures - Bark
http://suite101.com/welcome.cfm/222
All garden topics welcome page:
http://suite101.com/category.cfm/gardening
----------
> From: rosenlund <rosenlund@transport.com>
> Date: Thursday, December 02, 1999 6:20 PM
>
> Call me green!
>
> Can I also toss out my Nasturium, Sweet Peas, Cosmos, Salvia
> (Transylvanica), Lavatera, Nigella, Nicotiana, Hardy Blue Geraniums and
> Chamomile (german) out right now? How do I know what I can plant now,
and
> what I should plant in spring? I take it I must also toss some soil over
> these seeds!
>
> ~ Carleen ~
> Keeper of Sheep & Old Roses
> Rainier, Oregon zone 7,8
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Marilyn Dube <maridube@teleport.com>
> > Hi Barb, I always sow my Poppy seeds (all types, both annual and
> perennial)
> > directly into the flower beds this time of year. You will notice that
the
> > self sowers like Euphorbias, Digitalis, Linaria, Lunaria, Polemonium,
> > ornamental grasses, hardy Geraniums and others are already making an
> > appearance. Don't weed your beds until you know for sure what you are
> > pulling out.
> > Marilyn Dube'
> > Natural Designs Nursery
> > Portland, Oregon 97206
> > Zone 8b
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
