skip to main content

Saving lobelia seed

10 years ago

Hello, this is my first post on here. I have been following this site forever though. I bought a few cardinal flower plants this year. One died, one is still a rosette and one did really well. It is covered with seed pods. They have taken forever to dry down. They are beside a pond in a protected location from wind and under a large oak tree. I guess this is contributing to the slow ripening of the seeds but from reading another thread on here it is also the nature of the plant. I don't want to dig the plant up or stress the plant because I have read cardinal flowers don't really tolerate that. Does anyone have any ideas. It's getting pretty late here and I'm afraid I won't get any viable seed. There are about fifty pods on the plant. About five look dry. Of those five I stripped a couple off and the seeds were formed but very wet. Thanks for any help. Willie

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Iris GW
10 years ago
At some point you can cut off the top of the stalk (where the pods are) and put that in paper bag to let them finish drying. The bag will capture any seeds that fall out during the process.
willwillis
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks that's good advice we are supposed to get some rain soon I will be sure to do that before then
Related Discussions
Do Marine Blue Lobelias ever come back from seed?
Q
Comments (2)
Hi! I'm not sure about seeds that drop on the ground, but mine have reseeded in containers left out in the winter. I have also had petunias do the same thing. Sure makes it easy to plant the containers in the Spring!
...See More
Wanted Lobelia seeds for trade or SAE
Q
Comments (1)
Thompson and Morgan carries Cambridge Blue Lobelia. I have a blue with white eye trailing lobelia on my list. They are 2008 seeds from Pinetree. Let me know if you're interested. Karen
...See More
Lobelias from seed
Q
Comments (5)
I have never planted lobelia seeds, but i have planted other dust like seeds. You could try sprinkling the seeds on a piece of white paper and then use a razor blade to slide them off into the peat pellet. When I sow really tiny seeds, i wet the tip of a paper clip, but this doesnt work as well for dust like seed. If it requires light to germinate, just don't cover the seed with any soil. I just put mine a a sunny window and it seems to work fine! Good luck!!! Sarah
...See More
Can I seed Crystal Palace Lobelia now?
Q
Comments (0)
Hello, friends. I know this question is not about perennials, but the other more pertinent forums seem to have little to no activity on them. So...I know that blue Lobelia is spectacular here in the spring, but it burns out by summertime. I am wondering if it can/should be seeded here in the fall like we do larkspur, poppies, etc? Does anyone know how cold it can get before it dies? I have searched the web to no avail. Thank You!
...See More
Iris GW
10 years ago
Leave the top of the bag open for good air circulation. I use one of those large paper grocery bags.
willwillis
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi I wanted to update this. That method worked great I have plants to replace the ones I lost this past winter. I'm hoping this winter will be a little more mild than the last. Thanks again
Wildflowergma
9 years ago
Hi Willie, Here is some information I received concerning Cardinal Flower. Don't let all your Cardinal Flowers go to seed. Once your plants have finished blooming cut off most of the flower stalks, but leave the stalk on some of your plants to retain the seed for future plantings. After about 3 years or so, if plants are allowed to go to seed each year, they will die out.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Lobelia Siphilitica Keeps Its Cool

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Great blue lobelia, a flowering native that prefers moist soil, adds a calming blue hue to the late-summer garden

Houzz Interview: Miss Mustard Seed’s Charming Pennsylvania Home

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plant a New Lawn From Seed

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed

CONTAINER GARDENS 8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed

Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

LIFE The Top 5 Ways to Save Water at Home

Get on the fast track to preserving a valuable resource and saving money too with these smart, effective strategies

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Unthirsty Plants Help You Save Water in Style

By Bruce Parker

Spend less effort and money on your landscape with drought-tolerant and native plants that liven up your yard

SHOP HOUZZ Houzz Products: Save a Taste of Summer

Can't bear to part with the flavors of summer peaches, berries and tomatoes? Then jam on it!

MOST POPULAR Summer Crops: How to Grow Sunflowers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Savor snack-tastic sunflower seeds once the radiant blooms have faded — if the birds have saved you any, that is

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Vernonia Noveboracensis

By Curtis Adams

Stately New York ironweed attracts pollinators with its blooms at the end of summer and birds with its seeds in fall

Sponsored