6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

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silverkelt(Z5b/Southern Maine)

I dont know how much space you have, but with lupine and poppies, I probable would just winter sow them. My space is limited however, my indoor set up is for veggies and annuals and other tender plants. Any temperate plant I will try to wintersow, besides its fun to throw seeds and dishes into the snow and have all your relatives and friends think your nuts if you dont know what im talking about you can check out www.wintersown.org or just check out the forum here on gardenweb.

    Bookmark     August 22, 2007 at 3:32PM
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georgez5il(z5 IL)

Since no one has found a source for these seed I would try calling growers who sell the plants retail/wholesale & ask THEM for information; or, if they will sell you some seed.

    Bookmark     August 21, 2007 at 10:43AM
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morz8(Washington Coast Z8b)

It's a lovely thought, but if the back of the flower is still green and has not yet begun to turn yellow, I'm sorry to say it may very well not form seeds. If the back of the flower has begun to yellow, you could put the flower head in a dry, well ventilated place and wait to see if the seeds might ripen.

I must sound like I'm trying to discourage you and I'm not, but open pollinated sunflowers, whether from a home garden or grown for the florist trade, will produce flowers different from the parent flower. If it's that particular flower (color, size) that would remind you of your missing loved one, you might be better off looking for the same thing in commercially grown seed and planting that each season - you could still have the sunny tribute in your garden.

A neighbor and I planted a row of sweet peas this Spring for a neighbor who loved them and is no longer with us....each bouquet a happy memory.

    Bookmark     August 20, 2007 at 10:55PM
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morz8(Washington Coast Z8b)

Many perennials do need a cold moist period before they will germinate, the two you mention do not.

Cone flower (echinacea) should germinate in about 2 weeks at 70F, and blanket flower (gaillardia) at the same temp in three, barely cover this seed as some light may be beneficial to germination.

Were the seed heads fully mature on the plant when you harvested the seeds? Have you sown these outdoors...if your temperatures are much warmer than the optimum 70ish it could be interfering with germination.

    Bookmark     August 20, 2007 at 10:35PM
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samfawzy10(Z5)

cosmos.

Here is a link that might be useful: cosmos

    Bookmark     August 20, 2007 at 6:24PM
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samfawzy10(Z5)

I forgot to mention it will reseed and you will have flower next season.

    Bookmark     August 20, 2007 at 6:29PM
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morz8(Washington Coast Z8b)

I thought it was an interesting question and looked for an answer - but didn't find one. One more gardeners mystery for now :)

    Bookmark     August 18, 2007 at 3:36PM
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origami_master(5b)

My guess is: cut off all the seed heads, dry them and then put them on a shaking bed or similar to loosen the seeds? Then use wind to blow off remaining debris (like hulling rice) or they just hire people to colelct seeds by hand >_>

    Bookmark     August 20, 2007 at 2:43PM
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cncnorman(z7 FW/TX)

Here is a good listing of mirabilis to help you identify your flowers.
Good luck!
Christina

Here is a link that might be useful: Mirabilis jalapa

    Bookmark     July 2, 2007 at 8:12AM
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steven_salem_or

Hi Aprilfool,
I just recently purchased a house and my mother had decided that she wanted 4O'clocks in my flower beds, I have quite the color range in both beds and I have some pure yellow and pale yellow that are just producing seed, and my mother is collecting them. I can find out how many she has collected and would be willing to work a trade with you for other seeds if you still would like them.
Steven

    Bookmark     August 19, 2007 at 10:48PM
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georgez5il(z5 IL)

There is no real secret just rough the surface of the soil where you wish it to grow.. Soil temp 65-70F, lightly cover the seed, germination time 10 days.

    Bookmark     August 19, 2007 at 4:28PM
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andy9999(6a)

place seeds with in small amount of water for 2-3 days ,this will allow to remove jello souranding the seeds,than place seeds on paper
easy and you will get nice CLEAN seeds

    Bookmark     August 16, 2007 at 11:33PM
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monicatx(z8 TX)

Thanks for the ideas. Monica

    Bookmark     August 19, 2007 at 3:11PM
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paulah_gardener(6)

I'm also in zone 5. Have a unheated greenhouse that I have over wintered perennial seedlings in. Sounds like you could add another row of blocks, then glass over all. Come spring when worried about hot tempatures remove a block or two for circulation. Dont forget to give them a drink of water now and then.

    Bookmark     August 19, 2007 at 7:38AM
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origami_master(5b)

AKA cypress vine, they are very easy to grow. just throw the seeds in the ground and they will come up. I believe they can be grown in pots

    Bookmark     August 15, 2007 at 2:02PM
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pitimpinai(z6 Chicago)

This is a tropical plant, so it is not cold hardy at all. However, as origami said, it is very easy to grow from seed. I would sow them in early spring instead of in winter. In warm weather,if you soak the seeds overnight before sowing, they will germinate in only 2-3 days

    Bookmark     August 19, 2007 at 7:25AM
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alley

I got some Bird of Paradise seeds (about 20 in all). After my hubby threw some of them away (he didn't know what they were), I have only had 3 germinate. I had them in a bottom heated tray. It did take quite a while for the 3 that I did get, but when I checked some of the other little pots, the seeds appeared rotten (all squishy). I'm wondering if it was too hot. I now have the others that have not germinated in an unheated tray (with a lid for humidity). Don't know if this will be more successful. My problem now is to get more leaves on the existing 3. They seem to have stopped growing (but are still green, so not dead). I don't know if I should put them outside (where it is HOT) or leave them inside.

    Bookmark     August 12, 2007 at 11:16AM
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rennep(8b)

Hi, I have had great success with germinating MBOP. I snip the eye of the seed lightly and soak overnight in warm water. I have about 95% germination success this way. Also, I have found that they get root bound very quickly. I planted some in the ground and they took off quickly. The ones that I left in pots have not grown that quickly.

    Bookmark     August 18, 2007 at 3:53AM
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alley

I am fairly new to this too. I have taken my seeds and cut off the bottom (flatter side) and peeled them. They seem to get a fairly good root in a few weeks. I potted mine up in a regular 4 inch pot (like the kind your annuals come in from the nursery) in regular soil (I'm guessing what you have on hand is ok). I put them in full sun at first. One is not doing so well. The other one is doing great, but I had to move it to part shade as I think the leaves were getting burned. I also have a couple of others that have roots (so I planted them), but no stem or leaves. I had to move them to the shade as the sun was starting to burn the pit (which was about 3/4 buried). Can't really say how well they are doing--still no leaves. Next time I may wait until there is a stem before removing them from the water.

    Bookmark     August 15, 2007 at 10:07AM
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basil from seedAny tips?
Posted by lplpo09(5 OH) August 13, 2007
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paulallen(6b)

I do it every year using Park-Starts. They grow under a generic shoplight with two 48-inch 40w flourescent bulbs. Try to keep the seeds/plants within two inches of the light. My shelf is adjustable and when I'm lazy I just put something under the containers and raise/lower the containers. It's easy using Part-Starts. The directions are very user-friendly. Good luck. P.S. Be sure to harden-off carefully when moving the plants outside.

    Bookmark     August 15, 2007 at 9:09AM
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