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propagating astrantia

daisy doodaisy doo Posts: 90
in Tools and techniques

Hi all,

Bought an astrantia last year from Logan botanical garden and its over wintered well. Should I try propagating it now or leave it another year to bulk up a bit more?? How easy are they to propagate from seed collected.

 

Any advice or tips appreciated. I bought it as a living souvenir of our family holiday in Scotland and would be sad to lose it (mad I know) image

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Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    Divide it when it's big enough. Seed from the named cultivars doesn't come true but they seed well and you might get something nice. 



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    Different anywayimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • darren636darren636 Posts: 666
    My attempts to grow astrantia from seed are laughable



    I've tried refrigeration for weeks

    Leaving them out through winter

    Sewing in spring.



    Each time - nothing.
  • daisy doodaisy doo Posts: 90

    Thanks for the advice I,'ll leave it to bulk up and divide it as you've suggested. Not sure what variety it is as it had two labels in the pot and it had gone to seed (£2.50 on the sale table but looked healthy, love a bargain image). I'm pleased it's come through the winter and is looking quite robust.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    I sow them when they're ready, leave them outside and off they go, germinate about now from last year..image 

    I do nothing special, just a gritty compost with more grit on top. Pot not seed tray. 



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • darren636darren636 Posts: 666
    I just checked the last batch of 'shaggy' seed trays.

    Nothing

    Just husks of the seeds under the grit.



    I've started a new batch off, in different seed compost.
  • rosemummyrosemummy Posts: 2,010

    nut when you say ready do you mean late summer? then just collect and sow?do you sow direct or into trays/modules/pots?

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    Hi Rosemummy, To me ripe is when they're loose on the seedhead. I scoop them up, on a dry day. I have some pots that are about 4'' deep and 6'' across, I like those for seeds then I can spread them out. Scatter the seeds,throw a handful of grit on top and leave them outside in a shady spot til summer's over. Then they all sit outside the GH til about February/March when I sometimes put them on the shelf in the unheated GH. This is more for my benefit than theirs, it's easier to watch for germination. If they're still outside when they germinate I bring them in so they grow quicker.

    Astrantia germinates in the garden soil, around the parent plant, without any assistance.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
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