When is the best time to grow agapanthus from seed, i collected all the seed pods last autumn but i'm unsure when the best time to sow and what soil is best used.
Yes I agree sow them now, they need to be in a warm place and the compost needs to be kept damp to help the seed 'break'. The seeds are a bit hard. I find that for the first year I keep the seedlings in the same pot. Putting them outside when frosts have gone in a light place. You coud sink the pot in the ground and then lift the pot when the frosts come again. Give them a bit of food through the season before overwintering them in a frost free place with little water. I then pot on in early spring the following year giving them a bit of dilute tomato food around March. Again I leave them in this pot for the second year giving them a feed now and again. Overwinter again and then plant out or keep in a larger pot remebering that Agapanthus like a 'tightish' pot.
It does take a while but it is worth it. You might even get an unusual type come up!
Will my greenhouse be ok to start em off in now as all my sunny spots in the house are taken up lol. Should i sow them in a 50/50 mix of compost and sharp sand or just compost?.
I think that they need a heated propagator to start them off. Marilyn is right that they need a tightish pot but some can grow very vigorously so keep an eye that they don't get so tight there is no room for the compost.
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The best time was fresh when you collected them.
I'd sow them now in good draining compost and see what happens
In the sticks near Peterborough
Hi
Yes I agree sow them now, they need to be in a warm place and the compost needs to be kept damp to help the seed 'break'. The seeds are a bit hard. I find that for the first year I keep the seedlings in the same pot. Putting them outside when frosts have gone in a light place. You coud sink the pot in the ground and then lift the pot when the frosts come again. Give them a bit of food through the season before overwintering them in a frost free place with little water. I then pot on in early spring the following year giving them a bit of dilute tomato food around March. Again I leave them in this pot for the second year giving them a feed now and again. Overwinter again and then plant out or keep in a larger pot remebering that Agapanthus like a 'tightish' pot.
It does take a while but it is worth it. You might even get an unusual type come up!
Good luck
Marilyn
Will my greenhouse be ok to start em off in now as all my sunny spots in the house are taken up lol. Should i sow them in a 50/50 mix of compost and sharp sand or just compost?.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAnXVMPOhWw
In the sticks near Peterborough
Hi
I usually use a mix of compost, vermiculite & horticultural grit, Cornish grit if I can get it.
The link above is really helpful = thanks nutcutlet.
I think that they need a heated propagator to start them off. Marilyn is right that they need a tightish pot but some can grow very vigorously so keep an eye that they don't get so tight there is no room for the compost.
They don't need a propagator Posy, I never use heat on anything. If you sow them fresh they germinate, like most seeds
In the sticks near Peterborough