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Upstate New York

Anyone growing native plants from seed this year?

19 years ago

Hi-wondering is anyone here is growing native plants from seed this year. What natives are you growing? any sprouts yet? What conditions do they like? What methods did you use?

I have pussytoes and swamp milkweed up (WS) and several shrubs (inside under lights, but outside during the day when it is sunny) - The Summer sweet is a comparitively quick grower. The Great Laurel has the best rate of germination. The Oak Leaf Hydrangea and Mountain Laurel had only a few germiantions so far.

The pussytoes are so tiny I have trouble seeing them. Tiny seedlings make me nervous. There were a real lot of seeds though so I am hoping that their being the first ones up means that when it stops hitting the freezing mark they will sprout profusely.

PAX

Laurette

Comments (6)

penny1947
19 years ago
All seeds were sown via winter sowing.

Aquilegia Canadensis (No sprouts yet)
Salvia Azurea (several sprouts)
Asclepia Tuberosa (not yet)
Lobelia Cardinalis (not Yet)
Lobelia Spicata (lots)
monarda didyma (not yet)
Purple Coneflower (several)

Penny
barb_ny5
19 years ago
I WS some Jack in the Pulpit seeds, Salvia Azurea, Lobelia Cardinalis, Native red columbine, and purple cone flower which is the only one that has sprouted thus far. The Salvia azurea I had to plant again after the flood, as this was one that floated away. I'm hoping to see a variety of things that went the way of the water sprout down stream somewhere.LOL. Barb
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Hooti
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi - Penny, I was wondering how your L. cardinalis made out.

Barb, how did your native sowing make out?

PAX
Laurette
penny1947
18 years ago
Laurette,
I think I have a couple of tiny sprouts of the Cardinalis but they are so small I am not sure. If they are sprouts they are barely the size of a pin head. I dumped one container of columbine in the area I was going to plant it in so I am hoping that there is still a chance it may germinate there.

Penny
Hooti
Original Author
18 years ago
Penny,

Those are definately L. cardinalis. I didnt even see mine when I checked them - my Dad caught them. My L. Spicata were also that small but got a better rate of germination. Of course, my Dad also knocked my c. over so it was chunks of potting soil I tried to pick up intact. I resowed (I always save some if they don't need stratifying in case I mess up the first sowing)and they just came up. Still a lower rate but they may be germinating still.

I grew the W.E Columbine last year. I did half inside and half out. The outside flats were very late in germinating-I think probably mid june. My Pasque flower also germinated then.

PAX
Laurette
Hooti
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi-thought I would mention that the USDA lists Lobelia Spicata and L. Cardinalis as "Exploitably Vulnerable" in New York State.

Laurette

Here is a link that might be useful: Cardinal flower USDA Profile

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