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Heuchera and Thrift (sea pinks) from seed.

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Plants
I am now beginning to collect the seeds from garden plants.  Can I grow heuchera and Thrift from seed - if so can you give me some guidelines please?

Posts

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,459
    Thrift shouldn't be difficult - a couple of times here, with our damp weather, the seeds have actually germinated while still on the seedhead on the plant!
    I suspect Heuchera may be trickier, I think the seed is very small and they don't self-seed at all, as far as I know, can you not divide the plants?
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Yes, I can divide the plants, but I collected what I thought was seed from the dry flower stems today, which was why I was asking Buttercupdays. I will give them a try, but if they don't germinate I will try dividing the plant in the Autumn or Spring.  I am encouraged by your comments on the Thrift though.  I have been fairly lucky with some past seed collecting, although I am still not sure whether to collect clematis seed heads - I had no luck with them last year.

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Ihave had heucheras in my gardens for years and a) they have never done all that well for me no matter where in the garden they are and b) they have never self seeded. Tiarellas grow much more successfully for me even in the same conditions and they can be divided loads of times to give new plants. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,772
    I couldn't agree more GD,I have noticed a massive increase in plant prices since I returned from Europe. Years ago if I wanted two of the same kind I just bought them,but now I buy one,take cuttings or split it with a sharp knife! I'm also collecting seeds from everything,I've just gathered red coreopsis and put them in a warm place to dry,I hope I can do more of these,as it said they were really hardy!
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 14,323
    Heuchera will not come true from seed.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    That sounds like the voice of experience punkdoc, thank goodness for this forum, otherwise I would have gone ahead, sown the seed, spent weeks waiting for them to germinate and all to no avail. I will try to split one or two of the plants in the spring.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 14,323
    They split incredibly easily, you can literally pull them into pieces.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • granmagranma Posts: 1,929
    punkdoc , Can they be split up now or is it best to wait until spring please?
  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,772
    I split mine in spring,according to Phillip Nultys instructions ( Cottage gardener) and they came on very well,however I suspect now would be a bad time,they would be better in cool weather possibly autumn or spring.
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Yes, I would wait until early spring to split any plants, far too warm at the moment for the plant and for us to be doing anything too energetic.  I suggest we all sit back, enjoy our gardens now as they are and make plans for our gardens in the future.
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