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Produce => Non Edible Plants => Topic started by: pye on September 01, 2012, 14:23:12

Title: Biennials flowering 1st year?!
Post by: pye on September 01, 2012, 14:23:12
Hello everyone,

I sowed some calendula/pot marigolds last month to overwinter and use as companion plants for next year's beans. However, around half have developed flower buds.

My question is: will those plants that have flowered survive and flower again next spring/summer? Or should I just plant them out now and start again in the spring?
Title: Re: Biennials flowering 1st year?!
Post by: Flighty on September 01, 2012, 14:30:26
Pot marigolds are annuals! I'd plant them out and if it stays mild they'll flower and then self-seed if you let them.  You can always sow more in the spring if need be.
Title: Re: Biennials flowering 1st year?!
Post by: caroline7758 on September 01, 2012, 14:40:39
they are also one of the easiest plants to gather seed from because the seeds are so big. :)
Title: Re: Biennials flowering 1st year?!
Post by: pye on September 01, 2012, 16:24:50
Thanks! I was following Dan Pearson's advice to put some in late summer, to overwinter and flower early next year. I'll stick these out and have another go in the spring.
Title: Re: Biennials flowering 1st year?!
Post by: raisedbedted on September 11, 2012, 09:53:04
I think the advice is to sow very hardy annuals like Calendula, Ammi and Cornflowers in september to make bigger plants for next year.  However sow to soon and they'll get a flower in this year, they'll probbaly set seed themselves anyway.

I did the same with Lupins, wanted to grow them as biennials for next year, sowed them in July, they now have flower spikes!  Theyll still flower next year though but not as well.