skip to main content

Growing from Seed

How do I sew Black eyed Susan vine seeds,please.

18 years ago

Can anyone teach me how to start these seeds. My first attempt was a failure. I have only a few seeds to try again with. I thought if they burst and landed on top of the soil, natures way that is, surface sewing might be a good guess. Well, no luck for me. I've searched for a while today and I'm thinking it may be common for this particular plant to produce few seed pods. Any and all input would be appreciated. Oh and what the actual name of this for future reference, please. Thanks. :) DebraShawn

Comments (8)

realms
18 years ago
hi debrashawn, i bought two already started b.e.s.v. plants from a garden centre last year. they looked beautiful, but unfortunately never produced seed. i loved the plant so much, i ordered some seeds from stokes seeds. i will give you the directions for outdoor sowing from the packet. i started mine indoors about 6 weeks ago and they are still quite small but i am keeping my fingers crossed.
the (latin)? name for this plant is: thunbergia alta (that is what is on the packet). the directions say that you should sow indoors apr.1st as plants are rather slow to grow and need lots of heat for germination so outdoor sowing should not be attempted till mid june.at this late date, you may not see much of a show until august. plant 1/4 inch deep and about 3inches apart. i really don't know if this will be much help to you, but it is certainly worth a try b/c they are such a beautiful plant. where did you get the seeds? did they not come with directions? i am sorry for my blabbing on and on! good luck! lisa
debrashawn
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi Lisa and thanks! The seeds came from last years plant. I just like to see what is possible. I enjoyed the plant last year and I am so silly I wont waste one seed. I have only one pod left! I'll give it another go. This time inside and I'll attempt to do it now to get a tiny headstart then, because I am apparently quite late! This is fun! Thanks again! :)
Related Discussions
Black Eyed Susan Vine for hanging basket
Q
Comments (2)
Diane, do you have trouble transplanting? I hear they don't like it, so have been hesitant about trying them again from seed. I sowed some last year in a couple of paper pots but they didn't grow or bloom well in subsequent container pots. Do you keep them in full sun? I started them last year in mid April because of the transplant concern, and worries that they would be too big by late May.
...See More
Have you grown Black Eyed Susan-Clock Vine?
Q
Comments (17)
Yes, they are S-L-O-W to germinate directly in the ground. If you sow seeds in the garden, wait until the night temps are stable at 50 degrees or more and days temps are as Herblady49 stated. That is why I said mine were slow to get started - I grew them from seeds! Of course if you buy the plants, well that's a horse of a different color. They are definitely a "warm season" plant. They did not reseed for me. If they made seeds, I didn't find any. None came up the next year. For me, that was a god send. I love MGs but they grow too da*ned well here and take over. They even climbed up into my weeping willow tree. It was pretty, but the blueberry plants underneath were bombarded with the seeds in late summer and what a pain that was...and still is. Zillions of seeds coming up in that fertile, moist soil. Aaah! Here is a link to my Sunflower Morning glory photo site: Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Sunflowers and Morning Glories of Past Summers
...See More
Mandevilla vs Black Eyed Susan vine and pests
Q
Comments (3)
They can be attacked by aphids, mealybugs, and especially whitefly. In some areas, these problems can be troublesome. In your neck of the woods, maybe not so bad. I would examine the plants that you bring home meticulously so that you aren't bring these pests into your own backyard. I recall seeing some mandevilla at one of the big box stores last season, and a quick brush of the leaves brought out a nice population of whitefly!!
...See More
Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergie alata)
Q
Comments (4)
It is very aggressive here in South Carolina but pretty. They are suppose to be annuals. Mine game up strong from last year. A real surprise! Because of this I am taking a real hard look at these guys. I will not plant vines in the ground. Always in pots on bricks or raised beds so they can't get away. This is also the first time I have ever seen seeds on mine, they are very far and few, but others report that they seed easily and produce a lot of volunteers. I have also noticed, when lifting their skirts for seeds, with relief, that they do not try to root in the mulch. Might be a different story on the ground. Being in Nebraska with very long hard freezes, I doubt very seriously they would survive. I'd keep a sharp eye out for seeds though. I tie baggie ties on pods when I notice them so I can keep an eagle eye on them. X
...See More
Belgianpup
18 years ago
The Thompson & Morgan database said they should germinate somewhere around 14-21 days (although it can be slow & erratic). Just cover with soil, keep at 70-75F, keeping the peat-based soil slightly moist (not waterlogged nor too dry).

Sue
kathi_mdgd
18 years ago
We had a plant we got from a nursery last year.We just cut it back after it died and this year it came up real well and with some new babies.It's starting to put out blooms now.
Kathi
patsy_b
18 years ago
I did not think mine made many seed last year. I gathered some but not many. It must have made lots more than I found as I now have them coming up in all the potted plants I had sitting nearby as well as the ground where the original vine was planted. Some are blooming already and are only about 3 inches tall.

Patsy
gardenwitch
17 years ago
How do I gather and riped seed for next season planting?
debrashawn
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi, I'm no pro, but I just waited for the pods to ripen right on the vine...hopefully someone else with more knowledge will answer you as well...good luck...
lee53011
17 years ago
Once the blooms fade, watch where it is attached to the vine. It will turn brown. That is when you pick it. Do not squeeze the pod because the seeds will shoot out. I think mine had 2 seeds in each dried flower. I pick the pods and throw them in a regular envelope and label it. I store them in my cool workshop and seperate the seed from the pod later in the season when I get time.

Lee

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

FLOWERS Rudbeckia Mania: Go Beyond Black-Eyed Susan in the Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Branch out from typical nursery fare, with lesser-known Rudbeckia species that have delightfully unexpected features

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Butterfly Gardening: Delight the Eyes With Living Sculptures

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Surprise and thrill with a garden that attracts magical winged creatures, bringing color, movement and life

SUMMER GARDENING Houzz Call: Please Show Us Your Summer Garden!

By Annie Thornton

Share pictures of your home and yard this summer — we’d love to feature them in an upcoming story

FALL GARDENING 6 Deer-Resistant Flowering Vines to Plant This Fall

Have a major deer problem? Here are some of the only vines that have a chance of not being eaten

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS A Stitch in Time: Creative Sewing Spaces

By Susan Redman

Sewing rooms have become popular again as people of all ages embrace simple crafts they can do at home

WINTER GARDENING 6 Reasons I’m Not Looking Forward to Spring

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Not kicking up your heels anticipating rushes of spring color and garden catalogs? You’re not alone

FEEL-GOOD HOME 12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers

By Becky Harris

These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener's May Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Be especially water wise this month as you sow seeds, tend to your lawn and plant edibles, grasses and flowers

WINTER GARDENING Inspiring Winter Scenes From the Denver Botanic Gardens

Use seed heads, bare branches and grasses to design lovely garden displays when the ground is frozen

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Passiflora Incarnata

By Ginny Stibolt

Enjoy the amazing flowers and edible fruit of U.S. native Passiflora incarnata (also known as maypop) — the butterflies sure do

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can I seed oriental poppy etc on top of mulch

11

Potting mix recs, please

13

Rant: Where have all the flower seeds gone?

12

What are these?

9

Lack of Potassium on Peas and Lettuce and Swiss Chard Seed

25