6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
In Nature (without the interference of man) a plant will flower set seed the seed will fall to ground & seed will germinate in the spring..... also birds, mice, insects etc will feed on the seed limiting the # of plants each spring. The same will occure in your garden. to limit the number of seed consumed by the birds (etc) we lightly cover the seed.
For more information go the the winter sowing forum
George is correct, there is no one answer. I'm assuming that when you say seedling you're growing from seed. Seeds are a product of sexual reproduction (sperm+egg, pollen+egg) and whenever sexual production occurs, the results (flowers) of the seedlings will not be known, because of the complicated genetics involved (allels crossing over, mutations/errors in meiosis, etc.) There are seeds that 'come true' meaning they look like their parents, but I am willing to say there are small, minor differences on a molecular level.
Some cultivar seedlings may revert back to their 'generic' forms. I'm not sure on this on a scientific level, but I have found that variegated plant or something 'golden' (like pothos) will revert to a pure green form if it doesn't receive enough light. Albino seedlings (pure white seedlings) will not survive because they lack chlorophyll and therefore cannot make their own food.
Good question. I have been gathering a bunch of seedheads of various plants. I want to make an area on my boulevard that is about 10'X20' and was a former tulip bed. Many of the tulips will come up next spring but after they flower I want a wild flower type garden there.
I have four boxes of wildflower seeds from last year plus what I have and will gather. The ground is bare and weed free, tilled and ready to scatter seeds. Will most of them do ok if I just scatter the seeds and rake them in after our first hard frost?
I'm in zone 4 and temps now are 40's at night and 50-65 during the day for another week or so, then we should get some nights of below 32.
I take everything into my greenhouse in the fall - we have a propane heater my hubby cranks up when it's supposed to freeze and haven't lost anything yet (10 years). I've already taken my cutting from the hibiscus, bouganvillas and everything else possible and have them ready to put in the greenhouse for winter. We had tomatoes in 10 gallong planters last year and had tomatoes until January. Try anything, but don't start your spring seeds too early or they will be skinny and not thrive. Good luck.
You could start lavender seed now outside in zone 10, where it should still be warm enough to germinate within 30 days. You will need to be sure to keep the seed bed damp yourself if the rainy season has not started. Lavender seed will germinate without stratification and will grow right through the winter where you live. Al
Take tip cuttings of firm new growth. apply 0.1% IBA (Rooting hormone) stick in well drained soil & mist takes 25-80 days to root.
This time of the year many of the seed pods should be mature & may be dried in a paper bag... be sure seed pods are full & plump.
The plant often self seeds so look around the base of the plant for seedlings
My experience has been that ROS often do not come true from saved seed.
I have Bluebird and it has reseeded and the resulting babies have been a variety of colors.
I'd say the only 'sure' way of getting the exact variety would be starting them from cuttings.
Sue
Salvia guaranitica 'Black & Blue' seeds will be deep in the calyx and are mature when deep brown. But you don't need seeds to have a yard full of salvia B&B, you can take cuttings and keep them moist through the winter or you might take a couple of small rooted pieces from the edges of your plants, pot them up, and try to overwinter them in a cool, bright window. Any small piece with a root will be easier to grow than a cutting. I'd start now, so that if you fail you have time for another try or two before frost.
You should look in the Salvia forum, B& B is a popular plant and there are numerous threads discussing overwintering this sage, something I know nothing about here in L.A.