Help with Astrantia!!!!

I have sown two packets of this now, and not ONE has come up!!!!

I started some off in February, putting them in the fridge for a couple of weeks first. When none showed, I went through the in the fridge overnight, in the greenhouse by day, sometimes leaving them outside instead routine.

When I gave up on the fist batch, I split the second into two - one lot the same as the first - the second in yoghurt pots and neglected. Still nothing!!!!

I have sent an email to the supplier today, but was wondering if any of you know what I have done wrong!!!!?????

 

I'v just looked up the T+M seed sowing guide, as I haven't tried astrantia. It reckons germination is 30-180 days, so maybe there's still hope, Honey Bee.

Further info - prefers light to germinate, slow or erratic germination, temp 65-70 / 18-21, well-drained compost, surface-sown, and, as you said pre-chill for 6 weeks.

Fingers crossed!

 

Well I may live to regret this cos I just got back from watering hole, did I read "astrantia" ???

I have several kinds, but only can remember at this time of night old passed on favourite "hetties pincushon" and A. ruby wedding - and I know Beth Chatow has a lot of follow ons from ruby wedding - claret etc

well if you are stuck, they grow like wild whatsists with me, so I can always send you a bit, but may be you are just too early and hot?

excuse late night ramblings, but hope this helps

 

Bye gum Waco that was a good night out hope you are ok this morning :D

 

They can be erratic germinating so don't give up. If they have had their chilling time, leave them in the greenhouse or cold frame and hope.

 

Thanks guys for the tips - its the Astrantia Shaggy which I have fallen in love with...
link

as it flowers forever and goes with the colour scheme. I think I shall put the tray into the "neglect" corner, and hope maybe one or two will come up....

Thanks Waco for your offer... I already have a Roma, which is a really beautiful pale pink petals with deep pink centre, but as I have what seems to be acres of bare borders following last years work, I'm trying to fill them with long flowering perrennials, and would be more than grateful for anything!!!! I'll pm you!!

 

Honey Bee - as far as long flowering is concerned, my longest flowering perennial was Salvia microphylla which was in full flower for 20 weeks last year and in part flower for even longer. Followed by Astrantia 'Buckland' (19 weeks in full flower): Geraniums Patricia and Rozanne, Dahlia Arabian Night and Circium rivulare (17): Verbena bonariensis and Campanula takesmana (16): and Persicaria amplexicaulis Firetail (15).

 

I sowed some astrantia seeds last summer as soon as the seeds were ripe. And i put them in a 3" pot, left them in the polyt and watered regularly. I have just got germination 10 MONTHS LATER. So just put the pots aside, water occasionally and ignore, you mey be surprised yet.

 

Hmmmmmmm, interesting. I've got some astrantia seeds, so perhaps I'll put them into the fridge for a while then, and plant them into pots in July. I do like them, and have a clump of Roma that is doing well (bought from Wisley).