|
| Hello everyone. I want to know if anyone has had any luck growing lupines, sweetpeas, and let me add delphiniums in borderline zone 7b/8a? I've tried 2 of the 3 and have had no luck. But before I give up, I want to know that it really is impossible and not just me having a few bad runs. Are there are any tricks to success for these 3 in my area? I appreciate any help!
Thanks,
|
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by plays_in_dirt_dirt Z7A VA bordering NC (My Page) on Sat, Jan 22, 11 at 14:05
| Michelle, I'm in 7b, central VA-NC border and I WSed perennial sweet peas (seeds from Colorado) here three years ago. They return each year. I have seen sweet peas in other yards here. I haven't tried lupines or delphiniums because I just assumed it would be too hot and humid. I sow the peas in TP rolls or paper pots and plant them in early March. I'm surprised each year at how long they bloom -- til early June, if memory serves. Barbara in Virginia |
|
- Posted by shellva Camden 7b/8a (shellva@aol.com) on Sun, Jan 30, 11 at 7:44
| Thanks for the respose Barbara. I'll give paper pots a try. Guess I'd better hurry up and get them planted though to have something ready to go in the ground by early March. Late frosts don't do your sweetpeas in? That is what has always gotten me in the past. I'll have about 3 or 4 inch seedlings out there then a frost hits and they bite the dust. Michelle |
|
| I did lupines once. They bloomed in the second year, then the foliage fried in summer. They were so ugly I couldn't stand them and fed them to the compost. I'm in zone 6. But I have also read that lupines like acidic sandy soil and I have alkaline clay, so they had a lot going against them. Karen |
|
- Posted by plays_in_dirt_dirt Z7A VA bordering NC (My Page) on Sun, Jan 30, 11 at 14:47
| Michelle, if you sow them in paper pots, put the pots in a larger container with a lid. I like the three-pound coffee cans with the top cut out to near the rim. For the cover, I use a cereal or cracker wrapper with transpiration holes. The rim holds that down. Large nut cans work well, too. I really squish the pots in. When you think the container if full, put in at least one more. This is done more easily if you fill them with premoistened potting mix. I seldom have any gaps between the pots this way, but if I do, I fill the gaps with moist potting mix. My pots do not dry out this way. I think they would dry out in a milk jug unless you taped it all the way around from handle to handle. I'd use the milk jugs if I didn't have the coffee or nut cans. I haven't lost any to late frosts. They like cool weather anyway. I assume you mean late frosts harming the establishing seedlings? I let mine get 6-8 inches long before I plant them. Though larger, the roots aren't disturbed because of the paper pot. Mine are evergreen or semi-evergreen all winter. I sow them every year because it takes a lot to make a show. I hope they will be thick enough this year to cover the "fence" so I won't have to sow them again. But, if I have to, I will. They're easy. Hope this helps, |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Winter Sowing Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.