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Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)?

11 years ago

Hello.

I found a pile of Cardinal flowers by the roadside today...it was a very sad sight for me.....they are native around here but not common and I can't imagine what possessed someone to dig them up and dump them like that....I mean who would want to get rid of them?! Anyway, I sorted through the pile of dying plants and took as many stems w/roots as I could find. Most were in flower and most of the stems were broken. Can you take cuttings from Cardinal flowers and root them? Also, I brought some stems w/out roots but w/flowers and seed capsules...though I'm sure the seeds were not ripe...if I can keep the stalks alive is it possible that the seeds might ripen? Thanks for ANY input!

This post was edited by adidas on Sat, Sep 6, 14 at 14:52

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Comments (4)

User
Original Author
11 years ago
I think I found the answer...in case anyone else needs this kind of info...someone else on GW had success w/cuttings....they put the cuttings in a pond and they formed roots and I don't *think* the unripe seeds will ripen on cut stems but I have nothing to lose so I'm going to keep the stems alive as long as possible just in case!
lycopus
11 years ago
The seeds should be black when ripe. Have never tried rooting cuttings but cardinal flower is pretty easy to grow from seed. Tends not to flower until the second year unless you get them started inside early.
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User
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Lycopus!

I have started CF from seed and it is easy. In this particular case though, it looks as if someone was clearing a garden bed, as the roadside pile contained hostas, CF and some other stuff I couldn't ID. CF may possibly have re-rooted itself in the pile as the area was wet and somewhat wooded but I don't think it would have done much as the area is overrun w/kudzu, english ivy and stiltgrass so I attempted a rescue and most of what I picked up was broken stems.
Rivers-Edge
11 years ago
A curiosity I have is, can a stem whose flowers have gone to seed, and had its seed capsules REMOVED, be then cut and caused to take root by submersion in a future/desired growing location?? My wish is to produce plants from the tissues at the former flower nodes. References appreciated.

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