Propagating bluebells.

I have been lucky enough to recently acquire some long-undisturbed land adjacent to my garden. About half the area is tree covered and has bluebells. I would like to encourage them to spread further than they have done naturally. Right now there's an abundance of laid-down stalks that look right for seed gathering. Is it just a matter of opening them up and sowing? Sorry to sound so naive, but I am... Thank you.

 

Hi

to the forum

Yes time to collect the seeds , use a bucket and shake the seeds into that , sow straight away just sprinkle in the areas you want them to grow then best to rake the area over once you have sown them and then just leave for them to get on with it , about 3 years time they should start flowering

I have just done the same this week but on a much smaller scale

when they sprout in the spring they look similar to onions grown from seed

Spruce

 

Thanks, Spruce. Back to numpty mode: do I split the pods open? If I shake them as they are, it'll be the big green lumps that fall off! I thought maybe they needed to be split open like peas

 

Hi
They should be black by now if still green ? do as I said earlier just pick the stems then a good bash in the bucket to dislodge them no need to pussy foot about just get stuck in ......

 

to GC @Steve Kemp

Good question! Glad you asked it because I was wondering the same thing a couple of weeks ago, but never got around to asking

Well done on your new piece of land too - what are you plans for it?

 

Thanks for the welcome, guys! OK then, I shall bash them mercilessly .
The little patch has been left alone for decades apart from being regularly "sheeped" which means that all the new growth has been chomped, leaving the rest to grow old. Nothing huge (tree-wise), but a good deal of smaller, dying stuff, so a carefully managed clear out and plant is on the cards. I did all the brambles and low stuff in the spring and the ash regrowth is absolutely bonkers but it's given me lots of little things to dig up & replant along the new boundary fence to soften the edges. I may try my hand at "laying" them when they're big enough. It's taken a few years of gentle prodding (the land owner) but it's finally mine to play and hide in. The "path" that leads into it from the bottom of the garden predates the lane that we live on; it's well worn and very old. That's a big part of the appeal- something ancient and undisturbed. Wonderful. If I can work out how to post pics I'll put one up.

 

Sounds wonderful!!!
Oh yes, definitely post pictures (if you don't have photobucket or some such, I think you need a post count of 10? ).
We all like to drool over the keyboard at pictures (ETA: Of peoples gardens!).

 

Ah! Drag-n-drop

 

@Steve Kemp

looks amazing and West Wales

now the sheep are gone you will be suprised what starts to grow or what you can add

Spruce

 

Yes, looking forward to the coming years in my little retreat

 

having a few dead trees in really good for insects and wildlife in a wood plus the stream will bring the wildlife in as well.

You should start a thread or blog on here I am sure it would be popular.

 

What a smashing bit of land you have there, you're right, it looks as though it could share a fair few stories if it could.

 

What a magical space to call your own!
I agree with @Spruce - you should start a separate, new thread and post about your plans and doings ... hopefully, over time, it will become a record of your progress. I know when I look back at my time on here and see the changes I made, the mistakes (of which there were many ) I am often surprised at my journey.