Re: Germinating Help


>From: "Sheila Craig" <sheila_craig@qmail.newbridge.com>

>I am starting seeds for Liatris Spicata and Lobelia Cardinalis and I don't
>know what conditions these perennials need for germination: stratification?
>light/dark? 


The Lobelia seeds are very small and need light to germinate. Sow them
thinly on top of pre-moistened soil in warm temperatures. Make sure you tamp
the soil down lighly to form a relatively smooth surface. Alternatively you
might place a thin layer of granite grit over the soil (So you can still see
the dirt)  and then sow the seeds over that. Finish by watering down with a
mister from the top (just enough to lightly wash the seeds down into the
holes. I have the best luck with the latter method. Thereafter until
germination is complete use botom watering. I warn you to sow these thinly.
They normally germinate very well, but the seedlings are very small and slow
to reach transplant size unless they are give a little space to grow on.
This should bloom the first year from an early sowing if they are potted up
in a timely manner and not allowed to get too crowded. In moist soil in a
partly shaded site these will self sow, but unfortunately they have the
tendency to want to sow seedlings under the shade of your other perennials.
They are not long-lived plants, so plan on sowing a batch of seeds each year
until you get a self-sustaining colony going. 

Liatris spicata may germinate some without any cold treatment, but it
germinates best if it has at least 8 weeks of cold. Cover the seeds only
about 1/8" deep when sowing. If you are where it is still cold no you can
sow them in a por under 1/8" of granite grit or soil and place them outside
in a coldframe. Otherwise the fridge should work just fine. Once Liatris
seeds are up don't attempt to move them to individual pots for a minimum of
twelve weeks. During this time they form a small tuber. Until that tuber is
formed moving them is an iffy prospect. Grow on in pots until the tuber
produces at least 4 leaves before planting out into the garden. I actually
like to keep mine in pots over the summer and plant out in early fall, but
you must mulch them in and remove the mulch in spring if you choose to do
this. Liatris usually take two years to bloom, but occasionally you will get
a small flowering spike in the second season from sowing. In most gardens
these will self sow. 

Grow well,
Amber
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Whippoorwill Creek Nursery              USDA Z-5
943 Foxville Road                       mintemp = -15F/maxtemp = 102F
Kell, IL 62853
618-822-6000
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