Astrantia Major from Seed?

[Spruance]

Has anyone tried growing Astrantia Major from seed? If so, is a refrigerator an essential piece of equipment as T&M seem to suggest?

Also, so that I am not saving the wrong part, do the seeds resemble those of the dahlia?

[Barbara]

Well Spru, I have Astrantia and it self seeds very well, so, why a fridge would be needed, I don't know,

[carolann]

LG sent me some seeds from her Ruby Wedding one and I never put them in the fridge, and my Major just self seeds everywhere. Why not try some in the fridge and some not Spru and see which do best.

[Spruance]

Thanks for the advice. I've seen 'fridge time' offered in the propagation instructions for other plants too but I've never bothered before. I just wondered if it was really necessary but obviously not. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/wink.gif

[JennyWrenn]

Lady sent me some poppy and astrantia seeds

The poppy seeds all came up and are flourishing - need potting on soon

Sadly none of the astrantia seeds came up i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/cry.gif However they do self seed in the garden but I always find their leaves very similar to buttercups so I may have pulled a few up by mistake i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/embarassed.gif

[Ladygardener]

Spruance,Carol Klien was showing how to harvest Astrantia seeds and sow them last friday on the Gardeners World.

[4pygmies]

I've never had much luck with Astrantia seed so I asked an expert at GWLive and he said the most reliable way was to sow in a deep seed tray in Autumn, cover in gravel/perlite and leave it outside all winter. That way the seeds get their cold spell and germinate whenever conditions suit them. I've never got around to doing it but I have been sent some Astrantia seeds so I may give it a try....