seed pods

**JennieAtkinson** · 06-07-2007, 08:26 PM

It has lupin type leaves. Is it a lupin tree rather than a lupin? I had a lupin tree up to last year (sadly died over the winter!) and sadly didn't save any seed. I've always grown lupins ok from seed,they germinate nicely, then die in teh garden! I think they don't like our soil type.

**Salina** · 06-07-2007, 08:49 PM

I don't think it's a tree, it's sort of bushy, well, not so much bushy, just like a normal shrub I suppose. and it's about 3' high.
It's crappy about your's dying, but at least they germinate well lol.

**rustylady** · 06-07-2007, 09:49 PM

Certainly looks like a lupin to me, nice colour too, but seeds may not produce plants with exactly the same characteristics as the original plant. Worth a try though. As for the laburnum seeds, do you really want more laburnum trees? I agree they are beautiful, but surely one is enough.

**Flummery** · 07-07-2007, 09:24 AM

Lupins do come easliy from seed but lots of 'bought' lupins are specific named varieties. You might get any number of different colours from your seeds. I did this once and had a super mix of colours. Ought to do it again really. Note to self ...!

**Salina** · 20-07-2007, 11:35 AM

ooo I like suprises so I think I'll have a go at planting them. I saw some lovely reddish-pink colour lupins in the garden centre the other day.
so, when should I pick the seed pods and do I have to dry them before I plant them and if so how do I go about drying them? lol, sorry for all the questions, I've tried this a few times before and nothing germinated so I'm hoping to do it right this time lol.
and rustylady, the labernum I have now is only about 5' high because it's in a pot because we want to take it with us when we move lol, so I was hoping to get another 1 or 2 trees started.

**moggssue** · 20-07-2007, 12:47 PM

My purple and white lupins self seeded last year and this year I have .... pink lupins! Cross pollination at its best there. I didnt do anything except leave the last of the flowers to go to seed and drop off, they surprised me by popping up this year all over the place and are happily flowering away (if they havent floated off with all the rain this morning).

**terrier** · 20-07-2007, 02:01 PM

I usually leave the pods to dry out on the plant but this year with all the dampness, it might be an idea to cut the stems soon after flowering has ceased and drying the pods still on the stems, then when they go crispy,wrap the dry seeds in newspaper and store somewhere cool, dark and dry .

**Salina** · 20-07-2007, 02:08 PM

Thanks I will try that.

Then when should I plant them? and do I open the pods and get the seeds out or just plant the whole thing? sorry for all the silly questions!

**terrier** · 20-07-2007, 02:57 PM

If you are growing as annuals, aim to put out the young plants in April/may. 1 plant per seed. I you'st to plant more than I wanted in the flower beds and then 'thin out' as I needed more space for other plants. cutting off the stems and leaving the root ball in the ground the same as your beans. Lupins are good Nitrogen producers and are used in agriculture as green manure. If you dig up a root you will see nodules on the roots that make it look 'club rooty'. They are also another good 'sacrificial' plant as they are a magnet for aphids! You might find this site useful:

http://www.westcountrylupins.co.uk/acatalog/

**Salina** · 20-07-2007, 11:08 PM

Thanks for the advice! I already have some lupis growing from shop-bought seed and they are quite slow lol.

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