Cerinthe Seed

[Amo]

I have Cerinthe major purpurascens taking over part of my garden.

When I had a few seeds last year, I sowed them, as can be suggested, in the autumn and only one came up.

I read a Sarah Raven article and she suggests soaking and sowing in larger than a Jiffy 7 as they are known to rot.

They are obviously hard things to get going!! But, as my small space that is being overrun shows, once they're off, they're off!!

I've been looking at the plants, minding the huge amount of bees, and have noticed the ripening black seeds on some of the flowers and so I have started to collect.

Does anyone have experiance of Cerinthe seed collecing before? Should I just keep collecting and blend them all together and hope for some not so awkward ones in the spring?

I can't believe the price of these seeds in the packet as they are so readly available on the plant and, as the man in the NGS last year whom I bought one from said, once you have them, they're there forever!!!

[4pygmies]

Cerinthe major purpurascens is one of my favourite summer annuals although it never self seeds in my garden because I collect all the seeds! I think it's a DISGRACE how much they cost from the seed companies - it's not as if they are rare or the seeds are difficult to collect.
I don't quite understand why you are having trouble getting them to germinate, Amo. I sow them in the Spring and have no bother at all - in fact, I would say they are amongst the most reliable. Maybe they thrive on my haphazard and negligent care! I collect seeds from them assiduously in the Autumn, they are extremely easy to get from the plants and all the time I am feeling smug as they are £3.00 for a mere 15 from T&M! I collected over 300 last year and sent them to everyone.....and then forgot to sow any for me until it was nearly too late... I have some now in the only bit of flower border I've cleared of weeds and I've planted them with the Sweet Williams so they can take over when they've finished. I think they are soo elegant and beautiful, subtle colours...get collecting as soon as you can, Amo!

[Tig]

I've just sown some (only because cpb said she was going to : I bought the seeds half price in Wilkinsons, so I won't be stressed if they don't germinate, and will try again next year. If they do come up will I have to keep them somewhere sheltered over-winter?? x Tig

[Amo]

The seed I bought all came up, the seed I collected was a litle more tempramental. Perhaps I shouldn't have sown them in the autumn.

I'm not sure about the over wintering Tig, the chap I had my first one from said they came up again all over the place for him, self seeded I think rather than overwintered.

[Tig]

Thanks Amo

[Rosefriend]

I have had a right job with these seeds...I bought two packets and half the first lot shot up to the moon and then did a Mexican wave and that was it. The second lot died as well and Canary Creeper was kind enough to send me some seeds twice. The last lot I managed to get through on a wing and a prayer.

I now have half a dozen plants and I noticed the other day as well that I was getting seeds. I am saving everyone I can. I think that the problem was the light and the temperatures - I sowed far far too early.

I totally agree that the cost of the seeds is pretty disgusting.

RF

[Tig]

I sowed four seeds on the 26th June, one is up today - let the fun commence, bets are on how long it will live if RFs experience is anything to go by!!

x Tig

[Amo]

Good luck Tigs!!! ;D

[Tig]

75% germination now (3 out of 4 ;D) - still OK at the moment!!

I had to help them cast the old seed shells off though, must be like trying to escape from a walnut

x Tig

[Chuckles]

Glad you started this thread Amo My first sighting of this lovely plant was when I spotted the flowers last year in a pub garden and fell in love with them. I bought a packet of seed and went when I saw the price. Can't think that I had any problems growing them, I sowed in February (the packet said Feb- Apr) and if I recall germination rate was probabaly 50% plus. I planted several clumps of them in a border and several plants in 2 large tubs. They have flowered beautifully and I've been really pleased. Like you I want to collect seed too and have been watching for the flowers to drop off and show seed pods but they don't

Today I just happened to be looking at the flowers and spotted the lovely back seeds up inside the flower. Don't look at them mucky gardening nails ;D



Well I'm not sure about sowing now or in autumn as they look a bit tender to me. The packet said HHP and 4P has said Annual so I won't sow until Feb again. Best of luck Tig, knowing you they will survive coz you have such green fingers ;D

Now I'm not sure when to pick these seeds, they look large and ready now although they don't easily come away from the plant. If I leave them they are liable to drop off Do I pick them now and take them out of the flower and keep them dry or what ? ?

[Tig]

Chuckles they should fall away easily from the plant once they are ripe (evidently ) They look ready ;D

x Tig

[4pygmies]

Chuckles, they prolly are HHP but I treat them as annuals - that's what I meant If the seeds are black, they are ready to pick - and your nails look perfick for prising them off! ;D (Proper gardening nails, they be)