Lupinus polyphyllus 'Gallery Series Mix'

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Kathy5 Rockford, IL Jun 10, 2013

I read that lupines like a lime free soil. Will spruce needles around the base of the plant work?

Post #9553283
Quote
WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Jun 10, 2013

I'm not too sure about the Spruce needles, all I do is add loads of good quality compost, home made from kitchen / household waste or better still, horse manure well rotted till there's no smell and it looks like a nice soil with humus added, the idea of this stuff is is adds nutrients (lupins are greedy feeders) it allows air into the soil (easier to dig and work with) it also helps hold onto a bit of moisture for longer when you water, so these are most of the things lupin require for good healthy plants.
Lupins are short lived perennials and after a couple of years they begin to look tired and the base becomes very woody, If I find a Lupin that I just love, especially if grown form a packet of MIXED coloured seeds, I would take cuttings from the plant after about 2 years old. to take the cuttings, in early spring when the plant is beginning to fill out with new growth, I scrape away GENTLY some of the soil around the base of the plant, you will find nice new lush new shoots appearing and again, GENTLY look for any that has a couple of little roots attached, take a VERY sharp knife (I like one you buy with a pkt of blades) for crafts with retractable blade or gents tool box (Stanley knife) cut away the tender lush little side shoot with roots, and after you have taken one or two, replace the soil and give a feed and good watering, Place the rooted cuttings into a small pot filled with compost specially for cuttings and either place a clear poly bag over the cutting and seal with elastic band around the pot holding the bag in place, it may help to stick a couple of short canes into the pot to prevent the poly bag touching the cutting where it could rot the tender shoots. when watering your cuttings, do it from below by sitting the pot in a dish of water and when the soil looks darker, drain the pot and don't allow it to sit in a saucer of water as over watering will rot the cuttings. It is a good idea to remove the bag after a week or so to make sure the cuttings are OK, if new growth shows, remove the bag and grow the cuttings on, don't sit in bright sunlight, just need good light.

Hope this helps you out a bit.
Best regards. WeeNel.

Post #9553700
Quote
Kathy5 Rockford, IL Jun 10, 2013

Thank-you very much. Very helpful. Now lets see if I can keep these growing.

Post #9553723
Quote
WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Jun 10, 2013

Water and feed it's easier than you think Kathy5.
Best of luck. WeeNel.

Post #9553821
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP