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Verbascum seeds, when/how best to sow?

NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
in Plants
I collected these Verbascum Chaixii seeds from wild plants on the verges. I assume the diddly bits about the size of a grain of dust are the actual seeds and the bobbles the seed pods?

Once dried and the seeds freed fully, is it best to sow in situ now and let them grow as they would in the wild, sow now in seed trays and overwinter or store in the usual cool, dark place and sow in spring? I’m not sure if they need cold stratification, which they would certainly get during winter freezes here!

Any tips much appreciated, tia.


Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I've sown them in autumn (from bought seed), pricked them out into small modules/pots, potted on in spring and had plants big enough to plant out by the following summer. It looks as if you'll have plenty there once you break open the pods to get the seeds out, so you could try all three methods and see which works best for you.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Thanks. Hedging my bets sounds a good strategy @JennyJ!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    edited September 2022
    Agree with @JennyJ

    I've always sown mine straight from the plant to seed tray in the autumn and stuck them in a cool greenhouse.

    The germination rate is almost too much to handle but its a nice winter job to prick them out and pot up.

    This may or may not be the 'official' way to do it, but its worked well for me. 


  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    What works is good enough for me @McRazz thanks 😊 
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I didn't even put them in a greenhouse (don't have one). They went on the shelves from an old blowaway, without the cover, in a sheltered spot behind the shed.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    edited September 2022
    JennyJ said:
    I didn't even put them in a greenhouse (don't have one). They went on the shelves from an old blowaway, without the cover, in a sheltered spot behind the shed.
    To be honest, I put stuff in the greenhouse that needn't be, mostly because its a good hideaway for a warm cuppa (or beer) in the cold wet months  :D
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Good plan @McRazz :p
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • joanna65joanna65 Posts: 75
    These are mine, sown about a month ago I think. Never tried them before but they are doing OK.  They are kept in a plastic covered ' growhouse' with the cover rolled up at the front. 
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