Re: purple coneflower

In a message dated 7/24/99 8:36:32 AM Central Daylight Time, 
knihnick@mail.med.upenn.edu writes:

<< 
 So, Kemberly, you're saying don't toss the seeds now for next year's bloom?
 And they will germinate and bloom in the same season? I thought perennials
 takes more time to establish????
  >>
Donna, Lynn & Doreen-  Sure - I threw seeds and I sowed in peat pots in the 
house in February underlights - those seedlings are currently in bloom.  I 
treat Rudbeckia and Coneflower the same.  I let the seed heads dry for a very 
long time in place, on the plant...then when I notice that they are beginning 
to drop--I collect the heads and just keep them in a old sauce jar under my 
sink until very early spring.  The I drizzle in the spring after I've done 
all my clean-up and transplants.

I do this in the spring because I rake on and off hay all winter - sometimes 
disturbing seedlings and/or removing seed.

I tend to get very motivated in early spring and move, move, move plants. 
Everything is dormant and I see space to plant so I drag all of my cuttings 
and the plants that I couldn't resist during the fall and winter and begin 
planting.  This is usually a mistake (a mistake that truly doesn't bother me) 
because the space I see isn't really available---the dormant plants will grow 
very quickly and take up this space---but I simply crowd more in.  Do you 
think this is a weed preventor? :o)

Happy Gardening to you

Kemberly McLain
Katy, Texas Zone 9

P.S.  Donna - I would leave those babies in place just for a bit longer

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