Recommendations please for collecting seeds & sowing Anise Hyssop

diggerdee zone 6 CT

15 years ago

Hi Dave,

I don't really collect much seed, so I'll leave that to others to give you the best methods.

I have started this by winter-sowing though, and it is super-easy. Actually, I haven't WSed any in about two years, because it reseeds in the yard and comes back on it's own.

However, looking back over my records, I usually sowed it about mid-February.

Again, very easy plant. You might want to try the winter-sowing forum for ideas on seed collecting. Lots of collectors over there!

Good luck!
:)
Dee

webkat5

15 years ago

Just pop the dry heads into a paper bag and shake...

You will have tons of volunteer plants next year, too...you could just transplant those.

Related Discussions

Reminder: Collect Milkweed seed!!!!

Q

Comments (13)

docmom, Yeah, the sightings here are not as common as they are slightly east. Last year was a historic (or so some claim) sightings year for the Edmonton, AB area several hundred miles to the north and a bit east. I am also in a known travel corridor for birds that are not listed for this area that are often sighted during migratory seasons. I am hoping Monarchs are the same as I know I have seen them in the past. As well, I am not sure how to treat the information on sightings for this area. If you look at all the maps it is like the Monarchs stop at the 49th parallel as if customs held them up. Heck, the most common fritillary I have around here wasn't even on the regional checklist for BAMONA until I submitted it last week (assuming there ID is correct LOL). That all being said while I would appreciate seeing a Monarch the milkweed is as much for the other butterfly's as well as for me to be able to collect and distribute seed. I am hoping that while I may not be able to raise Monarch cats I might be able to smile knowing I supplied the seed for someone else raising them. I do appreciate your concern as well. I actually don't expect to see one. If I do, be assured every forum on this site as well as any others I find will know about it :) LOL Thanks again. SCG

Anise Hyssop...Going once, going twice...

Q

Comments (14)

Yea, they were my suprise nectar superstar of the year. They have a long bloom period, and are still blooming, and when they were hitting their peak they attracted more butterflies than anything. Since summer the Clerodendrum and pickerel weeds have been a constant attractor of slow and steady swallowtail and hummingbird activity, but the Agastache have been bloomin' nearly as long and attracted a much larger variety, and swarms of friendly insects. Favored nectar sources just vary from year to year. One year they swarm to the coneflowers and pentas, but the next year the swarm to the Agastache and Agapanthus, then next year it will be the Hamelia and and Asters, as they ignore the previous year's favorite. Also the change in cultural conditions are different every year and this may produce the optimal environment for different nectar producing plants from year to year, so that one year every thing is right for one to overflowing with nectar, but then the next year the wind, rain, and temps, are better for another species to produce copious amounts of nectar.

Extreme Climate Winter Sowing......the HOT zones: 8, 9, and 10 (nati

Q

Comments (0)

Aloe Growers, how do I collect seeds?

Q

Comments (17)

That's interesting and encouraging, Hoov. I had read that aloes are difficult to grow from seed- that they "damp off." What medium do you use to start yours? What temperature? Do you sow them as soon as they're ripe, or do you wait for a specific season or temperature? Do you leave them on top of the medium or cover them? I have a very shallow tray with a mix of perlite and vermiculite...and who-knows-what, on a windowsill that I use to root leaves. I have several other trays also, but something about this particular little box works better than any of the others. I rooted a tiny aloe pup in it, and it's grown crowded with a tangle of happy baby succulents. I thought I'd try a seed or two in it since it's done so well, but it is very, very crowded now. I've also recently had success with another tray of peat and perlite (finally successfully started my first E. runyonii 'topsy-turvy' leaf in it), so I thought I'd give it a shot. They all sit on a windowsill seed warmer. I have not had good success with straight vermiculite, or with grit or straight Turface for leaf-starting. I presume starting seeds will be similar. Rot rules in the Pacific Northwest. Algae, moss, and fungus thrive here- succulents... not so much. It is cold, damp and grey, even indoors. My succulents spend the winter on heat pads with mirrors behind them. What would you recommend for starting aloe seeds in the gloomiest climate in the country? Peat and perlite? Straight perlite? A peat pellet? Something else?

twigfarm
Original Author

15 years ago

Thanks folks!

Dee: Do I hold onto the seeds until February & start WSing then? Is there a preferred method for storing the seeds until then?

Thanks again.

Dave

diggerdee zone 6 CT

15 years ago

Sorry Dave - again, I don't know much about collecting and storing seed. What little seed I do collect usually goes into a white envelope and thrown onto a bookcase shelf, lol.

You could actually probably sow the seeds as soon as it gets consistently cold. I wouldn't sow too early because I wouldn't want them to sprout and then get hit by the cold. But then again, the ones that fall to the ground seem to know when to sprout...

:)
Dee

twigfarm
Original Author

15 years ago

Thanks again Dee! Recommendations from you and folks on the WS & seed saving forums sound easy enough. Now it's just a matter of trying it & seeing what happens.

Dave

Recommendations please for collecting seeds & sowing Anise Hyssop

Comments (5)

diggerdee zone 6 CT

webkat5

Related Discussions

twigfarm
Original Author

diggerdee zone 6 CT

twigfarm
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Recommendations please for collecting seeds & sowing Anise Hyssop

Comments (5)

diggerdee zone 6 CT

webkat5

Related Discussions

twigfarmOriginal Author

diggerdee zone 6 CT

twigfarmOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

twigfarm
Original Author

twigfarm
Original Author