Verbena bonariensis seeds

CH1973 · February 2022

Hi everyone. I have no green house and have tried germinating verbena bonariensis seeds in a tray covered with a plastic bag. I set the tray away on the 30/01/22

I have a few that are developing second leaves but on a whole they look pretty rubbish. Some have wilted and died. Is it the wrong time of year? The wrong temperature or is it just too soon for this plant to set away?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

CH1973 · February 2022

Will add I didn't use seed compost but seived some normal compost I had in the cupboard.

Fairygirl · February 2022

Hi @craighebron16oFgfHTED. It's probably too cold. It will depend on where you are as to how soon to sow, and have them outside. If I sow seed, I wait until about May here.

Have you got them inside the house?

The compost will be fine - it works best if you add a bit of perlite or similar, so that it's nice and free draining.

CH1973 · February 2022

No I set them away on the window sill in my house. About 5 or 6 look ok but germination was slow. There was more but they have just shriveled up 😫

Fairygirl · February 2022

That's why I asked if you had them in the house

I may have confused you by mentioning outdoor sowing though.

Did you take the bags off once the seedlings appeared? I wouldn't expect them to be very speedy, even inside, so two or three weeks would be about right, but if the warmth isn't consistent enough, and they don't have adequate light, germination, and the subsequent growth, can be erratic.

Photos would help too, if you can. The icon that looks like hills is the one for uploading.

Pete.8 · February 2022

The sun isn't really strong enough yet to provide energy for the little seedlings.
If you left them on the windowsill overnight then they'd get a chill too.

If you have some more seed try again at the end of the month using the same method. By then the days are rapidly lengthening and the sun getting stronger by the day. So by the time they've germinated conditions will be much more favourable.
Germinate them somewhere warm then put them in a sunny position.
A windowsill is fine during the day, but move them away from the glass at night.

CH1973 · February 2022

Thanks I've put them in the small bathroom off the window sill. Hopefully the few that's still alive will come through. I'll get another packet of seeds for the end of the month.

B3 · February 2022

They're a PITA weed on the sunny side of my garden and a rarity in the shady side. I would say that light more than heat is the answer to success.

debs64 · February 2022

I tried without success to grow them from seed so gave in and bought plants. I now have dozens of self seeded plants everywhere. Between cracks in paving slabs mainly so I dig them up, plant them in pots and give them away as I have enough in the flower beds. Tough as old boots. Pretty though and the bees love them. Good luck with the seeds

Fairygirl · February 2022

If you're anywhere up here where I am@craighebron16oFgfHTED, or further north, it's not worth trying to grow them this early, even inside. That's why I wait till there's enough warmth and light if I'm sowing by seed. Indoors, I wouldn't do them until next month. It means less of a problem when you need to get them outside too.

They don't seed that readily here anyway, unless it's a very, very mild, dry autumn, to give seed a chance, and main plants don't always survive winter either, so I take cuttings in summer to give me some stock. Much easier.

CH1973 · February 2022

Thanks for all your comments. Much appreciated.

Think I'll have another at the end of the month. If I only get a few I would be happy 😃

Verbena bonariensis seeds

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