When to sow

[pigletwillie]

I have collected seed from various hardy perennials including "Scabiosa Chile Black", Red hot poker, Achilea, Helenium etc.

Can I sow these now and overwinter them in a cold greenhouse or would I be better waiting for the spring? The problem with that however is that I struggle for greenhouse space in the spring what with all the tomatoes and the like growing. Please advise.

[valmarg]

Certainly some seeds germinate better the fresher they are, campanula for one.

Why don't you sow some now, and save some seed for the spring? Belt and braces old chap!!

Being hardy perennials, if you sow some now, and you get a good germination rate, they will not be cluttering up the greenhouse/polytunnel in the spring. Get nothing now, and what you sow in the spring will probably germinate as well outside as in the greenhouse.

valmarg

P.S. Hope Mrs P is still off the evil weed

[nick the grief]

What you need is a cold frame Piglet From memory I think the pokers will be OK over winter but they'll still need hardening off before they go outside. Never grown the rest but I guess they'll be the same.

[pigletwillie]

Cheers peepsters, I have a huge cold frame on the plots so thats not a problem. I will do some now and some in the spring as Valmarg suggested.

Valmarg, Mrs P is indeed weed free and has been since April 6th. I will pass on your message.

[pigletwillie]

Well, no sign of the Helenium yet but the Scabiosa are up and will be ready to prick out next weekend.

[JennieAtkinson]

Pigletwillie - how did you get seeds from the Red Hot Poker? Not that I need anymore, I've got loads, but just curious.

I sowed a packet of Red Hot Pokers three years ago, hoping to get some later ones (mine flower in June), and only one plant survived. I have been nurtering it in the polytunnel all this time and it now has a tiny little flower on it. The plant is only about 5" tall. Amazed it has taken all this time to grow.

[pigletwillie]

After the flower spike had flowered I just left it and it set some seed pods Jennie. I dried these and saved the seed from them.

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks PW - Might have a go next year and pass some on.