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Should I dead head my lupines?
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Posted by blutarski 6b (My Page) on Fri, Jun 12, 09 at 14:47
| My lupines are blooming beautifully. I've never grown them before, should I cut the flower stalk off when the flowers are done? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Should I dead head my lupines?
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| Perennial lupines are actually biennials, they'll die after blooming. Save the seed from the blooms, they're pretty to easy to grow. |
Here is a link that might be useful: link
RE: Should I dead head my lupines?
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| I've been growing lupines for 30 years, and this is the first I've heard of them being biennial. After reading Paula's comment, I learned that there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus on the issue. I can tell you two things: One, I've read over and over that the seed stalks should be cut after blooming. And two, my lupines have never died after blooming. Typically, they produce a small plant with a few small blooms the first year. The following year, the plant is much bigger, with lots of big blooms. How long this larger plant lives varies, but I've had them live for many years at a good size. The chances that they're reseeding are slim, because I cut off the stalks after blooming. Susan |
RE: Should I dead head my lupines?
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| Susan I've noticed that with my columbine, if I dead head them the plant will last several years. But if I let it go to seed the mother plant doesn't come back next year. I think it's because the mother plant puts all of its energy into producing the seeds and not into its roots. IMHO I'm going to deadhead my lupine. Thanks |
RE: Should I dead head my lupines?
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| I think zoning is a factor. Zone 6, possibly 7, when I grew them a few years ago, can be too warm for them. I just remember the whole plant dying spontaneously right after bloom. Perhaps in the right spot though.... |
Here is a link that might be useful: other conversation
RE: Should I dead head my lupines?
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| I have a related question. I started some lupines last spring, all from the same seed batch. Different colors but the same source and packet. About 8 survived winter and rabbits and bloomed this spring. Half of them bloomed in the spring and that was it. The others, located in a different garden but with about the same amount of sun, are still blooming. Why would some bloom for a couple weeks while the others bloom for a couple months? Any thoughts as to why? Thanks, Jim |
RE: Should I dead head my lupines?
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| Location. Zone 6 is too warm, so results vary. |
RE: Should I dead head my lupines?
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| I grow Russels, I only have one plant and I have had it for a number of years. Some years I let it go to seed, other years I dead-head it. It always comes back no matter what I do to it. It thrives on neglect, and blooms in May. I think it may be time for me to divide it, last fall I noticed a rather large tuber just peeking through the soil. Here it is in 2006, this year it had more blossoms. Click on the picture for a larger view. Mary |
Here is a link that might be useful: Lupins
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