Lupine Seeds...?

Question

I bought some lupine seeds yesterday and was wondering if it's ok to start them in small peat pots. I know with the peat pots you can plant those directly into the ground. I was just wondering if this is a good time to start the seeds and wait 6 to 8 weeks before planting in the ground. I live in the east bay of San Francisco bay area and we tend to have nicer springs, sometimes warm, and pretty warm summers.

I also bought some "California" wild flower seeds that have a mixture of different kinds- I was thinking of just sprinkling those over a particular area I have in mind.

Any suggestions is greatly appreciated!!!

Answer 1

RJ

Yes, go ahead and start those seeds any time now. Since they've got a tough, hard shell, you may wish to soak them overnight before planting.

Peat-pots are a great idea for lupines, since they HATE to be transplanted! They develop quite a long root, and since the peat-pot will decompose, you won't risk disturbing it.

Most varieties will not bloom the first year. But the following year, you'll be rewarded with those gorgeous pea-like flowers. Hint, Hon; lupines perform best in partial shade. And allow one or two of them to go to seed after they bloom; they're good self-sowers, and you'll have a nice little colony of them eventually.

I've done the wildflower mixture too. If they're perennials, take care to not allow a dominant species to take over. Other than that, I think you'll enjoy the natural effect of the native species :)

Answer 2

You can plant the Lupine seeds now or later. A peat pot will be a good start especially if they would be kept inside of the first few weeks. It is still winter, even though in the bay area we are having some nice weather (and some rain). Either choice would be fine but putting them in pots first would be safer and would have a better start.

As for the California wild flower packet, you can just throw them around. Whats nice about them is they can grow without any help from you. Plus, usually they are drought tolerant and procreate themselves. Also, they continue to bloom through the season... they dont bloom all at once, but they are a nice touch for an area you dont know what to do with.

Answer 3

Have grown them many times.

The blue Texas Bluebonnet version that is.

They also are wild in CA.



They are tricky to grow.

1) You MUST soak the seeds for 24 hours in cold distilled or spring (NOT tap or chlorinated) water.



The seeds that swell and soften (become about the size of a small pea) after soaking are ready for planting (about 50% will soften).



To increase your yield, the ones that are still small and hard after soaking can be nicked with a razor blade or pin (just pierce the seed coat, seed coat is hard, don't cut yourself! I use a set of pliers or a small washer to hold the seed so it doesn't go skittering off). You can then try soaking them some more to see if they will swell.



The seeds that are swollen can now be planted.



2) Soil. Lupines like sandy soil that does not have a lot of fertilizer. A lot of fertilizer (say pure potting soil) will make the seedlings rot. I start the seeds in a mixture of 1/2 sand and 1/2 potting soil. In CA I noticed wild lupines prefer adobe clay.



3) Warmth. Lupines like a lot of soil heat to germinate. I have a grow box with a soil heater that keeps the soil at 75F. I notice this really increases the yield on all my seeds. Your typical germination setup on the windowsill (especially in SF) is too cold (temps of 60-65 F).



4) Dry soil. Once germinated, water sparingly. I keep the soil right on the edge of drying out. If you overwater the sprouts will rot. Once they are established (a bunch of 5 sided leaves) you don't have to worry so much.



5) Lots of sun. Once sprouted (a few of the 5 sided adult leaves in evidence) plant outdoors in the sunniest location you can find.



As pesty as the things are to grow from seed, they are a very carefree plant once growing. They are very drought and heat tolerant and require no maintenance (I would NOT fertilize them).

Answer 4

Here in the east it is time to plant the seeds indoors. My suggestion is to plant them in the pots of potting soil and put them on a tray on top of the refrigerator or in the sun where it is warm. Pets or children should stay away from them, so that is why I mentioned the top of the refrigerator. They are very hardy here in the east and come up every year on their own so once you get them started they will stay with you. Since they are higher then most other flowers, your other seeds would be great along side of them. Add an annual or so if they do not look right. If you plant marigolds or something that keeps blooming into the fall, all the better.

Answer 5

Generally speaking wildflower seeds in California need to be planted during the rainy season during the winter. I live in the mountains near Yosemite, and I just scratch up the ground and toss my seeds out, then rake lightly over what was just sown. The only problem would be birds, so a light mulch might be good. I used to live in the North Bay and by now poppies, for instance, are already out and lupine start popping up as well (outside). The zone in the Fairfield area is about 15 if I recall correctly, so indoors or out is fine.

Answer 6

Yes you can start them now, and peat pots are fine. Lupine is a very hardy plant that even grows wild in colorado. So it will tolerate the cooler spring temperatures. But it is probably fairly warm there by april, isn't it? Anyway, sow the seeds, put them somwhere warm to germinate and keep them fairly moist. Not soaking wet though. Once they sprout move them to a very sunny window. Good luck. Lupine is my favorite perennial.