Dierama Seeds

[georgiesgirl]

Hi.
Any tips on getting Dierama seeds to germinate.Also is it to late for them to flower this year?
Advice welcome
Thanks
Anne

[georgiesgirl]

[Palustris]

Standard sowing for me, and germination liike mustard and cress. Do not p rick out, pot on into deeper pots and feed. Keep in growth all Winter in a frost free, but unheated greenhouse, watching the amount of water. (Too much they die, too little they die down and die). Spring, pot on as required and flowering is usually about 3 years from seed, or longer!

[Mrs Ava]

Angels fishing rods aren't they?  Are they perfectly hardy as I have a selection of 2 year old seedlings given to me by a chum and some I have planted out, and some are still nestled in the greenhouse.  Could do with the room if you tell me they are hardy enough......

[Palustris]

They are hardy enough, but no good asking me about growing them in the garden, they always die. My friend 20 miles away, but in town has them as a weed!

[georgiesgirl]

Thanks for the replies.Had.nt realised it took so long to flower,but will give it a go.
regards
Anne

[Deeds]

Very easy to germinate, but like the majority of bulb seeds, they germinate better if sown fresh.  Otherwise they can benefit from being soaked on hand-hot water for 24 hours before being sown. 

Most species (I have 27 at the last count) are evergreen and fairly tough, although one or two species are a little tender. Tough and pest free in general, even slugs and snail leave them alone so that's a bonus.

A lot of them hate being disturbed, and tend to sulk for a year when split, so better to leave them to form large clumps. Sow in deep pots and transplant when large enough to handle, again into deep pots, carefully, as they tend to form a long brittle root.

They like plenty of moisture when actively growing, I have them in sun and in fairly deep shade, so they are fairly tolerant.  Don't expect then to come true from seed though as they are notoriously promiscuous and will interbreed like mad, whatever they are like they will be glorious.

Plant out when they are about a year old, and they should flower in the 3rd year.

[georgiesgirl]

Thankyou Deeds for the detailed information.
Reading the seed package, it suggested that Dierama needs a sheltered site.With this in mind i intend to grow them on in pots.I would also overwinter them in my greenhouse.
Living in the Scottish Borders i find this a good way of keeping plants going,without being knocked back by the Scottish winter.
Can you see any problems for the Dierama if i do this?
Regards
Anne

[Deeds]

Sorry they don't do well in pots, they have a very deep root and won't thrive at all.  You may get away with the smaller growing ones (D.galpini and D. igneum) in very deep 'long tom' pots, but D. pulcherrimum is a huge plant 6'-7' tall when in flower.

It's amazing just how fast little seedlings bulk up once they are planted out, compared to the ones left in pots that just sit there. growing very slowly.

Which Dierama species do you have? D pulcherrimum is pretty hardy and if planted deeply (at least 8" down) in well drained soil it should survive.  Good drainage is the key to a lot of these semi-tender bulbs, they are hardier than commonly belived given good drainage.

[georgiesgirl]

D. Pulcherrimum is the one i have.
My soil is not bad but it is not free draining.Over the years i have tried to open the soil for the likes of Lavender by incorporating grit into the soil.The results have been mixed,with much better results by growing the Lavenders in pots and overwintering them in the greenhouse.
You can see where i was going with Dierama growing in pots.
I am going to give the Dierama a go, and i have a couple of years to get site and soil right.
Thanks again for your reply, it has been so helpful.
Anne