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Bleeding hearts -last year’s rhizomes

6 years ago

I found a bag with 2 rhizomes, bought last spring from Lowe’s. I’m going to plant them today (7b), but I’m curious whether y’all think they’ll actually sprout. I’m soaking them for an hour first. They’re very dry, but intact.

What do you think?

Featured Answer

peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada

6 years ago

I would say doubtful but you won't know unless you try. Even when freshly digging them for division you need to watch that they do not dry out. Give them a go. Will you update us regardless of the outcome?

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
keep us posted ...

if you were in a colder zone.. so that you had them in cold storage in the garage all winter ... .. you might have a better shot ...

but i tend to think along the same lines of peren ...

ken
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User
6 years ago
Oh you Americans - such polite optimists.

Colour me sceptical but I would be inclined to cut straight to the chase and say 'bin them'.
posierosie_zone7a
6 years ago
I would totally "bin them" also, but where's the fun in that? I would suggest to the OP to get a bucket of warm water and soak overnight before planting for best chances although a wet dead plant is still a dead plant. Will only help if there is some life in there.

Also, my friend 3 years ago knew I was loving bleeding hearts and gave me a FRESH bagged one. It has taken 3 years to bloom and it's a stunted, tiny plant compared to the seedlings that I have obtained in swaps. Even the one year seedlings are out performing the bagged plant. I keep it as it was a gift and it's really trying it's stunted best, poor thing. My best performer is a gallon plant "alba" from my local nursery.

So, if you want to plant them out in the name of science, I say go for it and let us know what happens! However, my suggestion is to treat yourself to a nice nursery grown plant or get a few seedlings at a plant swap.
ditnc thanked posierosie_zone7a
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
Oh you Americans - such polite optimists.

===>>> yup ... lol ... i would probably throw them on the compost pile ... and if i came back in a few months ... i would be wildly surprised if one of them sprouted.. lol.. may as well work with the benign neglect system ... it does work sometimes ....

and trust me.. we have all found the mystery bag in the storage unit / garage ... one or many years later ... lol ..

ken
ditnc
Original Author
6 years ago
I have been surprised in the past after planting bagged bare rooted plants. I would forget about them and then the next year, there they were. I marked these, so it will be an experiment. Even some of last year’s bleeding hearts haven’t bloomed yet, so I understand it takes them awhile to settle in. And the dog zoomed into my largest (and blooming) BH and shredded it up. It’ll be fine, but I’m not too happy with that pup right now. I installed a small fence so she has to change her zooming path.

Yes, optimistic American here! That, and I can’t stand to throw away something that might have life. When I plant seeds, I pot up every single seedling. That’s facing me now. It’s a problem. I might need a 12-step program.

Thanks all for the replies. I’ll try to remember to follow up, but it may be next year!
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
6 years ago
Excellent. There is nothing to lose by trying. Plants are so keen to grow and I hope you get a very pleasant surprise.
ditnc thanked peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada

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