6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Looks like Rudbeckia Tiger Eye is a F1 hybrid. Hybrids do not come true to the parent plant. In other words depending on what all was crossed with the original parent will be what the plant looks like. Though it will look nothing like your original plant. You could save the seeds by letting the flower head fade completely and the best way to tell if the seeds are viable is that the stem underneath the flower head will start to brown. The seeds will be found in the flower head itself.
Unfortunately it is an annual. If you like your plant though I am sure someone could give you advice on how to overwinter it. I am not the best at overwintering plants but there are a lot of knowledgeable people on this forum so maybe someone will key in that has that information.
Phlox drummondii
Type: Annual
Light: Sun
Soil: Rich, moist, well-drained
Height: 1-1.5'
Spacing: 1'
Season: Summer to fall
SEED:
Depth: 1/16"
Flat temp: 55-65F
Sprout time: 7-25 days
Tip: Sow indoors 6-8 wks before planting out after frost, or outdoors in early spring; fall sow in mild winter areas.
10-12 wks from sowing to bloom.
(as found on select seeds' website)
I tell ya I use to have the hardest time trying to start anything from seed. I hated to spend money on the little green houses or even all of that material that they recommend seed starting. I mean heck I prefered seed cause they are a heck of a lot cheaper. Well I had some success in direct sowing but I usually never watered it enough and in my southern heat that is not a good thing for seedlings. So I went on a searching quest and I found this forum. Well then I found the winter sowing forum. Wow, now that was right up my ally. Planting devices made from recycleables. Talk about economic!! I did not winter sow this past year but this coming January I plan to. I did though use some of the techniques for winter sowing. I started my plants outside. No hardening off which that always confused me. Here is my growing area that cost me nothing that I used this spring. I put holes in the bottom of the bottles and I watered by putting water in the pan. Yes it was that easy!! Same technique is used for winter sowing, just take off the lids and tape up your bottles. No need to make room in your windowsill or go buy those expensive seed trays or the indoor lights.
Here is just one of the plants that was grown in my "economic" growing area. This is in the top row 2nd container from the right hand side.
Coneflower is extremely easy to start as a matter of fact here is some that I started just in a pot within a pot. Cover them lightly with soil and water, and wait. Some echinacea take up to 3 weeks to germinate. In the picture is Tennessee Coneflower. Yes there are other plants in that pot, just look over those, lol.
à ¹Â
Another vote for Winter Sowing.
Here's the link to Winter Sowing FAQ.
Have fun!
I have been winter sowing for at least 6 years. I have never regretted stumbling into this forum. It is a fun, inexpensive and easy way to sow seeds and very successful at that.
The folks there are the most helpful, friendliest and kindest people around.
Reseeding annual, California native. 1'-2' tall. Rich moist soil, full sun in cool summer areas and part shade where summers are hot. Direct sow in late Fall or in Spring, seedlings are not frost hardy. Surface sow or only barely cover seed.
I read you want to collect the seeds after they turn black.
Here is a link that might be useful: Invasive some places
1) lightly cover seed soil temp 80F taking 8-14 days to germinate & 16-20 weeks to produce fruit
2) growing on temp above 65F nights
3) common garden soil with a pH 6.0-6.5
4) do NOT over fertilize
5) there is another forum dealing with pepers that may have other advise
We start 2000 tomato plants two seeds to the cell in the same mix they will be in up to planting in the garden. We have not found a seed starting mix necessary for tomatoes. The extra seedling is cut off when potting up to the four inch pot. It is extremely rare to find a cell with no plant. Al
Thanks so much for all your help. I'll look forward to planting them in late winter early spring.
Can you tell me when I can expect them to bloom?
In my zone I had a sea of blue for most of the summer =:)
They were in full sun and planted in soil high in organic matter.
They do get a little scraggly looking near the end.