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Can Sweet William bloom the 1st year?

naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan

16 years ago

I've started Sweet William seed under lights. Is it possible to get blooms yet in 2008? Can I trick this supposed biennial into blooming early? I'm in Michigan, zone 5b, and will probably set the plants out in the garden in April or May.

Featured Answer

goblugal

16 years ago

I don't suppose your "Sweet Williams" have a specific variety name, do they? "Sweet William" is the common name for Dianthus barbatus. Some varieties of D. barbatus WILL bloom first year from seed. Others need a specific vernalization period. I know of one called 'Wee Willie" that will most definitely bloom first year - acts like an annual. Depending on which one you have, you actually could "trick" it into blooming this year.

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Comments (6)

naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
Original Author
16 years ago
Guess I'll keep them growing and see how they do. The seedlings look great after 3 weeks of growth.
glendalekid
16 years ago
I sure wish someone had come up with an answer to your question. I don't know, but I would like to. Maybe someone will come by who had give us both the answer. LOL.

Good luck with them,

Karen
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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
16 years ago
Alabama and California have a longer summer than Michigan. They can flower the first year here, but you may run out of summer in Michigan. Al
diggerdee zone 6 CT
16 years ago
I had some bloom first year last year. I'm almost positive that they were Summer Sundae. Very pretty!

Here is a link that might be useful: Summer Sundae
naturegirl_2007 5B SW Michigan
Original Author
16 years ago
I have the Tall Double Mixed Colors variety that I picked up off a rack of cheap seeds. They almost all grew. Starting this early, I'm thinking I could set some out while it is still cold in March or April and trick them into thinking they went through a winter. I have enough that I can experiment. I'm not sure if they need time or a vernilization period to go into flowering mode. Could be a fun experiment.

"You may run out of summer"...I like the way you put that, Al. Some years we sure do run out of summer quickly. Right now we have about 2 feet of snow in our yard and more is falling. Very pretty but very cold.

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