After reading this link am I correct in my understanding that astrantia seeds do not need any covering or heat to propagate? I have also tried to grow verbena bon., with no success, so trying again. As v. bon. needs cold to break dormancy I assume they too will be treated the same as astrantia.
Mary - I found Verb. bon very easy from seed, but I did them in late spring/early summer.
Meant to say - as nut said , astrantias (like Verb. bons) will seed by themselves too, but they'll simply sit through winter and germinate when ready. They don't need extra warmth.
Last edited: 02 October 2017 19:34:05
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks Fairygirl.,........I tried both during the Spring and I didn't get a single seedling, very unusual, but I did have them covered. Trying this time of the year without cover...........hopefully will get seedlings in the Spring.
I set astrantia in autumn, outside. I generally bring the overwintering seed pots into the cold GH around February. this might be more for my benefit than theirs. I also bring things in when they germinate, no heat, just shelter from the worst of the wet and pecking birds.
verbena about February in the cold GH
I use gritty compost and some more grit on top of the seeds, it stops them getting washed out or growing mould/algae/other undesirables
I have resurrected this thread in the hope of some more advice! I have never tried growing astrantia from seed before, l know they need cold and are best sown fresh. Looking round the garden yesterday I noticed that some of the flower heads are drying and forming seeds, and with the hot weather forecast over the next few days l would expect them to dry out pretty quickly. I see from the thread that most people sow in the autumn, but it's only July ! Should l harvest them and hold on or sow straight away ?
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After reading this link am I correct in my understanding that astrantia seeds do not need any covering or heat to propagate? I have also tried to grow verbena bon., with no success, so trying again. As v. bon. needs cold to break dormancy I assume they too will be treated the same as astrantia.
Mary - I found Verb. bon very easy from seed, but I did them in late spring/early summer.
Meant to say - as nut said , astrantias (like Verb. bons) will seed by themselves too, but they'll simply sit through winter and germinate when ready. They don't need extra warmth.
Last edited: 02 October 2017 19:34:05
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks Fairygirl.,........I tried both during the Spring and I didn't get a single seedling, very unusual, but I did have them covered. Trying this time of the year without cover...........hopefully will get seedlings in the Spring.
I set astrantia in autumn, outside. I generally bring the overwintering seed pots into the cold GH around February. this might be more for my benefit than theirs. I also bring things in when they germinate, no heat, just shelter from the worst of the wet and pecking birds.
verbena about February in the cold GH
I use gritty compost and some more grit on top of the seeds, it stops them getting washed out or growing mould/algae/other undesirables
Last edited: 02 October 2017 22:25:56
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thanks Nutcutlet........... must remember to buy some grit.
I have never tried growing astrantia from seed before, l know they need cold and are best sown fresh.
Looking round the garden yesterday I noticed that some of the flower heads are drying and forming seeds, and with the hot weather forecast over the next few days l would expect them to dry out pretty quickly.
I see from the thread that most people sow in the autumn, but it's only July ! Should l harvest them and hold on or sow straight away ?
In the sticks near Peterborough