Now's the Time to Start Perennial Plants from Seed
Saturday August 8, 2009
There are a couple of good reasons we don't usually start perennial flowers from seed. First, it can take a year or two before you actually see any flowers. In fact, for the first year you’ll probably have a small and unimpressive plant altogether. Secondly and more important, most of the dazzling perennials we see on display at nurseries are actually hybrids crosses, whose seeds aren’t available. But there are plenty of wonderful perennial plants you can grow from seed , like salvias, columbines and the balloon flower at right. And if you start them in the late summer and let them over winter, you should have a second year plant next season that is ready to bloom. Amanda Switzer gives us the fine points of starting perennial plants from seed, in this video.
Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2008) licensed to About.com, Inc.
Comments
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Why does My ‘Sundown’ coneflower have white deposits on the leaves? The plant is wilting. I live in zone-5
Could be from to much salt, synthetic fertilizers when used over many years leave beheind salt which in turn kills some plants. Try using compost and compost tea.
Perhaps you have powdery mildew?
After watching the video by Amanda Switzer on Planting a Perennial Garden From Seeds I have a question. The seeds were placed in an ice cube tray and frozen but she did not indicate using the frozen seeds. I had expected the seeds deposited in ice cubes to be planted (cube and all). Were they thawed and then planted?
Nancy, the seeds are in ice cubes to simulate winter freezing. I think most people thaw them out before planting, but you raise a good point. There really is no need to thaw them. You’ll get the extra water and they’ll be easier to handle.
I too watched Amanda Switzer and I had the same question about the seeds in the ice cubes. Why not put the ice cube into the seed pots after they’ve been filled with soil?
And what does one do with the rest of the seeds in the packets that I have accumulated from prior years? Are they too old to be used in the next season? How long can seeds be kept?
Seed viability varies, but most are good for about 3 years. Some people recommend testing the seeds by floating them in water. The ones that sink are good. But it’s not 100% reliable and once they’re wet, you have to plant them.
Another test is to take 5-10 seeds and roll them in a damp paper towel. Check daily to see how many germinate. That will give you an idea of the percentage of seeds that are good.
My method is to plant one seed for me, one seed for the birds and one just in case.