Starting flower seed help please

velikipop · March 14, 2009

My wife wants to grow some Liatris and Red Hot Poker plants from seed. Following the instructions on the seed packet she started seed about a month ago, but nothing has germinated. Are there any little tricks or things to do to get flowers growing from seed.

Alex

bitterwort · March 14, 2009

Some seeds need stratification, or cold treatment, for various lengths of time. I'm lazy, so I tend to plant such seeds outside in a pot during winter and let nature help a bit. Look for Liatris germination instructions on this site: http://tomclothier.hort.net/page03.html

Several plants have the common name Red Hot Poker. Here are instructions for one:
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds...1.html?SA=1303

The little tricks, unfortunately, vary with the type. Sometimes the best trick is to have very fresh seed or only surface sow so there's light or keep them in the dark. For many, the best advice is be patient and keep trying. Often when I am about to give them up for dead, a tiny green seedling pops up. Good luck!

velikipop · March 14, 2009

Hi Bitterwort,

Thanks for the response and the useful info.

Alex

March 14, 2009	#1
velikipop Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 768	Starting flower seed help please My wife wants to grow some Liatris and Red Hot Poker plants from seed. Following the instructions on the seed packet she started seed about a month ago, but nothing has germinated. Are there any little tricks or things to do to get flowers growing from seed. Alex __________________ I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf Bob Dylan

March 14, 2009	#2
bitterwort Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MN Zone4b Posts: 292	Some seeds need stratification, or cold treatment, for various lengths of time. I'm lazy, so I tend to plant such seeds outside in a pot during winter and let nature help a bit. Look for Liatris germination instructions on this site: http://tomclothier.hort.net/page03.html Several plants have the common name Red Hot Poker. Here are instructions for one: http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds...1.html?SA=1303 The little tricks, unfortunately, vary with the type. Sometimes the best trick is to have very fresh seed or only surface sow so there's light or keep them in the dark. For many, the best advice is be patient and keep trying. Often when I am about to give them up for dead, a tiny green seedling pops up. Good luck! __________________ Bitterwort

March 14, 2009	#3
velikipop Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 768	Hi Bitterwort, Thanks for the response and the useful info. Alex __________________ I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf Bob Dylan