Rudbeckia, Wild blue indigo & Firepink

birdgardner

18 years ago

I just planted Silene regia, which needs stratification. Rudbeckia could probably go either way. Baptisia I've always had trouble with - maybe nicking it would help?

All need cold, moist stratification, but Rudbeckia might germinate without. Sixty days is usually long enough so if you plant them now in seedling pots and put in the fridge, you can take them out in early May and they should be up by June.

Baptisa seeds should be gently rubbed with sandpaper before sowing.

Related Discussions

Redbeckia, Wild Blue Indigo & Firepink seed

Q

Comments (2)

I'm not sure which rudbekia you have - fulgida, hirta, and maxima , Sow at 20ÂºC (68ÂºF), if no germination in 3-4 wks, move to -4 to +4ÂºC (24-39ÂºF) for 2-4 wks Rudbeckia laciniata, nitida, occidentalis, and purpurea , Sow at 20ÂºC (68ÂºF), germination slow Silene virginica - Sow the seeds in prepared soil in the fall to allow exposure to winter conditioning. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and compact. (that means at least a moist chill, and a warm, chill, warm sequence may have been better yet for this self-seeder) Baptisia - Pour hot water over seeds, let soak 1-3 days until swelling noticeable. Sow at 20ÂºC (68ÂºF) for germination in more than two weeks. Sensitive to damping-off. If you've been having trouble with these, sow them immediately after gathering them from your existing plant, then give the seedlings the protection of a cool porch or garage their first winter - easy from very fresh seed.

Making choices

Q

Comments (2)

I'm sure that most of the plants on your lists are great and have some wildlife value, Anna, but the ones that jump out at me are - Castillega indivisa/Indian paintbrush - I can only drool at pictures of this beautiful host for buckeyes and fulvia checkerspots since it doesn't occur here, but it's also a good nectar plant for butterflies, and, judging by the looks of the flowers, for hummingbirds, also. It's supposed to be impossible to transplant, but it can be propagated from seeds. If I lived in Oklahoma, I'd order seeds and sow them in a meadow with native grasses - most members of the snapdragon family are parasitic or partially so on grass roots. Centaurea americana - you already have plenty of this - I'd make sure it stays! Antennaria and Artemesia - Both these are host for American ladies, and, if they're as tough as the cudweed in my area, they should be easy to grow. Asclepias, spp. - All of these are desirable, both as hosts for monarchs and the nectar in their flowers, which are real popular with all butterflies. Asters - These give beautiful flowers in the fall that butterflies nectar on, and they're supposed to host pearl crescents. I've planted some rice button asters to add to the naturally occurring asters in hopes of getting PC cats someday. Desmodium - This is the principal host plant for long-tailed skippers in my area - it's VERY easy to grow! Liatris pycnostachya - I just love this beautiful plant, and butterflies love to nectar on the flowers. Tephrosia virginiana/Goat's rue - As far as I know, this plant doesn't host any butterfly, and I've never seen any butterflies or hummers nectaring on the flowers, but it thrives on the poorest, driest, most eroded, pure red/orange clay parts of my property. The rainbow of pastel colors of the flowers is charming, and it might be useful as a host or nectar plant to something - I don't get to the parts of my property where it grows too often. Sherry

Wild Wildflowers

Q

Comments (97)

A friend of mine advised that the secret to getting the Gaillardia 'Oranges and Lemons' to overwinter is to NOT deadhead it. The seedheads are attractive. This is my first year with it, so will have to report next spring, success or failure. I really like Precure Nursery - they offer a number of native plants, like the Baptisia and Pearly Everlasting I got. I always get my Rue and Fennel there because they have nice, big plants, oftentimes with Black Swallowtail cats as a bonus. My all time fave nursery, tho, was Warren's. I got my Passiflora 'Lavender Lady' from them and it is still going strong. Other natives I have gotten from Wild Things when they go to various Farmer's Markets. She sells tons of them, rare ones you would never find at a commercial nursery. But, that is over for this year. Check out their website. She always brings caterpillars of various butterflies, too, eating their larval host plants. The kids, in particular, love it! I have purchased numerous plants from her over the years, including my False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) that is a host for the Red Admiral butterfly. I loved Satterlee's, too, but they were pretty expensive on a lot of their plants. Horn's is a little less expensive. I was sad to see them close the doors on Satterlee's. I stood outside and watered for 4 hours yesterday until 12:45. Thought I would pass out, tho drinking lots of water. Had to do it since I have been at my daughter's for the past week and things needed attention. Susan

Winter Sowing in the MIDDLE zones: 5, 6, and 7 (native seed list)

Q

Comments (0)

veronicae

16 years ago

What if these seed pods were outside all winter. I discovered one seed pod on my baptisa that no creature ate, and didn't fall to the ground, although the pod was open. Can I plant these without putting them in the refrige. We had a cold winter.

Lynda Waldrep

16 years ago

I volunteer in a garden in which the Baptisia self sows readily any place we have not used pre-emergent. I am trying to give the seedlings to folks before someone decides to weed the area. They are from this past fall. The Silene regia I grew via winter sowing and got so many I gave containers with seedlings away. I am really hooked on that winter sowing for most of the natives...even found out that Cullina was correct in allowing the containers to remain undisturbed for more than two seasons. This year I had trilliums and three containers of Sol. seal that finally germinated. To me it is like a miracle...which is why I like native plants! Oh, Veronica, I think the stratification means AFTER the seeds are in the soil.

Rudbeckia, Wild blue indigo & Firepink

Comments (4)

birdgardner

Judy_B_ON

Related Discussions

veronicae

Lynda Waldrep

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US