i think of R's as perennial ... though a cursory search indicates they can be either ....

you posted in the annuals forum ...

so.. to figure out whats going on.. how about clearly IDing what we are talking about... by providing the latin name ...

ken

I have perennial Rudbeckia Goldstrum. The ones that I am referring to are Rudbeckia hirta. They come by various varities such as Cappiccino, Prairie Sun, Cherokee Sunset, Irish Eyes and Denver Daisy. In my zone the occasional one will overwinter the first year if the winter is a milder one. Some gardener post them in the annual forum; others in the perennial forum. Most catalogues post them as annuals, except for a few that sell the old fashioned Black Eyed Susan's. Check Swallowtail Seeds or some other Catalogue. I'm looking for an answer to whether the Baggie Method is suitable for such small seeds. Maxyck

I use the Deno AKA baggie method to germinate most seeds and have used it for seeds much, much smaller than Rudbeckia. -Last year, I germinated Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy' this way, and it did great.

P.S. For teeny-tiny seeds, it helps to wear really strong reading glasses when it is time to pot them up!

I couldn't be bothered sprouting seeds in a baggie and then transferring them to pots. It seems to me a waste of time for seeds that sprout easily like Rudbeckia. I have grown many varieties and have always had good success by just planting the seed. Last year every one of my Cappuccino rudbeckia sprouted and grew

Maxyck - coffee filters, really? I wouldn't have thought they'd retain enough moisture - will have to try that out. I am a firm believer in pre-germination; I will even do some very small seeds if I'm working with a limited amount and/or am concerned about their viability. Occasionally I do get a seed root embedded in the paper towel, in which case I carefully cut out that piece of paper towel and plant it along with the seed. Yes, as Susanc says - strong reading glasses.
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