I don't know about those particilar plants. How long have they been in ground?

But weather is cooler now, days short.

Karen

I planted them out in June so they have been in the ground for about 3 months. I know some things are slow growers but this just seems TOO slow. Dictaminus was another one that hasn't gotten much bigger.

Joanne

Wow, that is a long time.

Karen

tiarellas and heucheras as well as rodgersia are slow to grow perennials. This is one of the reasons I like to start them early inside to be planted in spring and have them grown well to overwinter at good mature size. I have some that even bloom now if I start them early winter indoor. One area you might want to pay attention- you want to grow such seedlings giving them extra boost- part sun to light shade, very good fluffy heavily composted soil, lots of water.

Lindalana, how do you avoid the damp off when starting seeds indoors? I've never had any luck keeping the sprouts alive long enough to plant out.

Joanne

Joannne
soilless mix like promix works well for me. I sterilize pots and soil after I water the soil in the microwave like a minute per 4 in pot and then pour hydrogen peroxide 3% undiluted over pot. I do it even if it is new pot- you want to be sure your techniques are clean. Second and most important- you want small air circulation going around your trays - small fan or even placing it near air/ heat vent is helpful. Keep only your germinating trays warm- I use old electric blanket to give them steady bottom heat but once seed germinated keep trays on the cooler side.
It has been working very well for me and I rarely get into trouble of damp off.

Sounds like a whole lot of work! I will probably try a few of the slow growers using your instructions (thank you!) and see how well they do. I'm really anxious to try rodgersia in my shade gardens.

Joanne

Winter sowing is much easier for sure.
OTOH I have something to do all winter and early spring when everyone rushes to the stores and buys all those early annuals all I have to do is go into my own "personal nursery" to choose what I want.
When it comes to slow growing perennials and living where I do/ zone 5/ it is much easier to start early and give plants good start to overwinter. Many of seeds are rare and too expensive not to do that.
From my experience rodgersia does best in places with poor drainage. Otherwise you might have the plants but not blooms, even with frequent watering.

Joanne,

Also consider the fact that some perennials are just slow growing in their first years. In my case I've had some finally achieve full growth and flowering in their third and fourth year. One such plant is Veronicastrum Virginicum. The first couple of years I thought the small plants were not going to amount ot anything, but persistence paid off. Now I look forward to them flowering in late summer. And the deers don't like them!

During their first year, a lot of perennials also concentrate on growing strong roots so you don't see much above-ground activity. I would expect all the plants you listed to be as such.

I had success with Dictamnus this year as well and all the sprouts are still very small. It's OK. They are in the holding bed and will spend the winter there. Even though they are small, I expect them to return next spring. This is not a fast grower so don't expect it to leap just yet. :O)

How did you guys sprout the Dictamnus? I have 1 container that I had in the fridge, then out, then in again. Still nothing...
There is a saying,
The first year it sleeps,
The second year it creeps,
The third year it leaps.
Maybe thats the case with your seedlings.
Maggie

Thanks for all of the great responses. I feel more confident about my itty bitty sprouts now and won't let myself stress about it anymore.

etravia - This was my first year winter sowing so I didn't realize dictaminus was supposed to be a little difficult. I attribute the germination of several harder to sprout seeds to Gardens North, the fantastic site I purchased them from. Everything I bought germinated and they will be my first choice source from now on.

Joanne

Maggie,

My seeds were received from a trade and like Joanne, I didn't know that according to some folks they were suppose to be coddled through warm cold warm etc. I just winter sowed them and found the sprouts in July after a cool wet June.

Joanne, In regards to Gardens North, there are times when I've had great germination, but others where there's been no sign of life at all. Looks like you have a really green thumb!!