Sowing lupins

I've just been given a bag of lupin seeds by someone at work. Is it too late to sow them now? I was thinking about starting them in the greenhouse and planting them out later on, what do you think? I suppose it depends how big they get and what sort of a winter we have though!

Any other ideas? Or wait until next year to be safe?

Thanks everyone

 

Hi Sarah, I don't see any problem in sowing them now. They don't normally flower in the first year anyway. So you will not be missing much if yours don't flower.

If you think about nature. They have just flowered and are in the process of making and dropping seed. The seedlings that are created naturally at this time of the year will survive the winter frosts and flourish next year.

So by sowing your seeds now, you will be exactly following the natural cycle. To get them to germinate quicker, soak the seeds for 24 or 48 hours first. You could plant them outside, as nature does, but if you plant them in pots and keep the pots away from slugs you should do better than nature.

 

That's great Peter, makes sense when you think about it like that. I'll give it a go, starting in pots then planting out later on. Thanks for the tip about soaking - didn't know about that.

Many thanks,

Sarah

 

Hey Sarah,

Not grown Lupins since I was a kid, but I remember they came in a little tub of Vermiculite which stayed damp while they germinated. Worked fine.

 

I've grown quite a few different perennials from seed at this time of year and later; they usually make nice little plants, big enough for a 3" pot by the winter. I always keep them under cover in a cold frame or the like for their first winter..:thumb:

 

I bet none of you are daft enough to have 2 Loofahs at seed leaf stage at this time of year.

Now what am I going to do with those:DOH:

Don't plant seeds when you're drunk

 

I'm hoping mine will just get on and sow themselves.

 

I've just collected a small handful of seeds today.

I have read on here and elsewhere, that you need to soak the seeds for 24hrs.

What advice would you guys give for potting them?
What kind of compost?
How often do you water?
When can you plant them out in the garden?

 

ArticFox - just answered on your new thread.

 

Sarah, I started lupins from seed in March and they are in full bloom now.

 

Me too, they came from a mixed perennial seed packet (adds to the mystery :D), the lupins that came up are gorgeous; pink & white :thumb: