aquilegias

[Justy]

I know that there is already a thread on this subject but it looked like it was getting a bit lengthy!  

This year is the first time I have tried seeds and I sowed 2 types of aquilegias - Blue Bonnets and Sweet Rainbow.  The Blue Bonnets sprouted like weeds within a few days but weeks later there was no sign of the Sweet Rainbows.  I left the seed tray on the growing rack with another tray on top and forgot about it.

I went to move them today and noticed that they have germinated (no water or light!) however they are just poking up but the seed casing is still attached to their 'heads'.  Is this normal?? ???  Can I help them?

I went to the RHS Malvern show at the weekend and one of the nurserymen there told me that aquilegias need to be a bit neglected to thrive and that they should be fairly labour free once germinated.  (Makes me wonder why they were charging six quid a piece for them though... ::)  As I now have 12 blue bonnets and (hopefully) 8 sweet rainbows I should maybe sell them instead!

One other thing - I have got a bit of a seed growing bug now.  Does anyone know where I can get slightly more unusual seeds or advice on propagation in general?  I don't have a greenhouse but have one of those plastic growing rack thingies which I must say has been fantastic.

[Justy]

[Wicker]

Oh, Justy you give me hope I think.  In that other thread I think I said (long long ago it seems now) that I had sown Blue Bonnets and Pink ones put them in the fridge then propagator etc etc but nothing was happening.  Well took them to the g'house a couple of weeks ago and the pinks are finally thru and coming on nicely but no sign at all of the blues.  
On Beechgrove Garden just tonight they were sowing Aquilegia and said how slow they were but that light was essential - you've disproved that point.
I'm leaving the Blues to see what happens!

[The gardener]

Have a look in;

http://www.secretseeds.com/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2esecretseeds%2ecom%2facatalog%2fsearch%2ehtml&WD=aquilegia&PREVQUERY=RANDOM%3dNETQUOTEVAR%253ARANDOM%26PAGE%3dSEARCH%26SS%3dAquilegia%26TB%3dA%26PR%3d%2d1%26ACTION%3dSearch&PN=Aquilegia%2ehtml%23a5#a5

[Garden Manager]

Justy, many aquilegias ned stratifying (exposure to cold) before germinating, others dont. so its a bit of a minefield. Also once germinated they take a couple of years to reach flowering size. I have some 'blue bonnets' sown two years ago. They have flowered for the first time this year. I seem to remember reasonable sucess with germinating (and no stratification!)

Aqui's are generaly easy to grow and will self seed prolificaly, if given the chance.  Even many cultivard will do this though wont usualy come true from seed.  I often find self sown seedlings are much stronger an healthier than those grown intentionaly. It is easy to transplant them to the desired location.

Hope this helps

[tim]

And then you find the whole garden a mass of colour with self-seeded things.  A wonderful time of the year!  = Tim

[Muddy_Boots]

Justy,

Another one worth a try is Plants of Distinction.  Sorry unless someone has web addy, you might need to google for it.

[Palustris]

First of all, if you sow aquilegia seed straight from the plant it will germinate very easily and quickly. Stored seed may be rubbed gently between two pieces of find sand paper for a few seconds. This scratches the hard coat and allows water to penetrate and thus germination. Don't rub too hard though, just enough to scratch the surface.
Secondly there has been a lot of recent stuff about upward facing flowers. All of these are self-seeded and we have never bought any commercial doubles or upward facing plants.

[tim]

Trust you, Eric - we'll just have to soldier on with our bog-standard gifts from God!

[john_miller]

My go to seed house is :
http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/
Claims to be the biggest seed catalogue in the world-and I wouldn't question it!

[Garden Manager]

I hadnt realised quite the variety of different colours and forms i actualy had in my garden untill this spring.  All self seeded, but some are spurred others non spurred. a few up facing ones, some short (about 18") others over 3' ! I could go on but you get the idea.

My favorites are the two gorgeous white ones that have suddenly appeared.  One is quite plain with a hint of blue in it, the other is almost totaly white, and spurred.  I had a feeling it was going to be white or at least very pale, because the stems are light in colour rather than the usual dark. The leaves are also paler than other colours.  Same thing happens with lupins I believe.

[Justy]

sorry to resurrect an old thread but in the end had loads and loads of aquilegia plants last year.  Planted them out during the summer and this year they are all covered in buds!  Yipee!  Hopefully they will all set seed this year too.

[Wicker]

Justy, my Blue Bonnets never did germinate!!  Only about a dozen of the Pink bonnets "took" and they are the ones coming along "slowly" in the ground now - still hoping I'll get flowers this year ???

[Amazin]

Justy,

My favourite site of all time - great seeds, great service.

www.jungleseeds.co.uk