How do I propagate Globe Thistle?

I posted this question on the seed forum, but I haven't been able to determine which are the seeds (I'm planning an experiment for that purpose, but I've also heard that some seeds aren't viable). In the meantime, I see from PF that I can also divide the plant or get root cuttings. How and when would divide and/or get root cuttings? I have several people who are interested in these.

Thanks,
Dana

Dana, I only grow Echinops bannaticus. It is easy from seed and self seeds. The seeds are fairly large. I have tried Echinops ritro from seed and can't remember if they didn't sprout or just didn't do well, because I do not have any plants. LOL I imagine you could do root cuttings spring or fall but I am thinking Echinops are a bit picky about being dug up so I would do it carefully.

Badseed, I'd like to give people some seeds, but I can't find them. If you know which they are, can you let me know? Here's a link to the thread with detailed pictures: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/539866/.

Otherwise I'll try root cuttings or division. Thanks for the tips!

--Dana

Okay, I looked at your pics on the other thread. I don't think your seeds are ripe. I am sure my whole flower head turns brown. Where you have those purple points, those should turn brown. Each one of those should have a small brown, what I call bullet it in. That is how they are on E. bannaticus anyway. I roll, nearly pinch each of those points where they were connected to the stalk and the little bullet shaped seed will shoot out. Let me go see what state mine are in and I will get a pic for you.

Okay, see how this one still has blue/silver on it? It is not done yet. When the seeds are ripe, all the points will fall off in your hand. I tugged this one and it didn't budge.

Okay, see on this one how all the little tiny flowers are gone and there is nothing but points and they are all gray-brown. These ones are done.

See this one? This is what happens when you do not keep an eye on them. LOL Looks like I will have a few more Echinops next spring. :) They will fall off when they are really ripe.

Here is what all those points look like off the stalk. The bottom right one is a good seed.

Here is how you pinch the seeds out. You can see a seed sticking out of the end and a little pile of them to the right.

These are mature seeds on the right and immature seeds on the left.

And here's a bonus photo. They were right next to where I was probing the Echinops. LOL

Badseed, I can't thank you enough! Mystery solved! (I've been working on this one for a LONG time now!) I still have many, many stalks out on the plants, so I can still collect seeds this year. And that saved me the time of planting non-seeds to see if they grow. Ha! Several of my relatives thank you too, as they're excited to try this plant themselves.
Now YOU should post some of those pics on Plant Files-- I couldn't find this information anywhere online. Someone else will really appreciate it.

Thanks for the butterfly pic, too! It's a nice treat. :)

--Dana

I am always worried when I do something like this. I don't want to insult someone by over simplifying and don't want to be too vague because it wouldn't really help. LOL It is nice when I have the plant in question and have cellected seeds and grown them as well. If you need more seeds let me know. Let me point out that you want to take some care when getting the seeds out. Those little pointy hairs will get stuck in you and your clothes. :)

I know how you feel about deciding how to explain things! But this is exactly what I needed. And thanks for the warning about the tiny hairs. Maybe I'll wear gloves, because my skin is very sensitive to that kind of thing.

Thanks again!
--Dana

Chele, THANK YOU! Dana and I have both been busting our poor brains trying to figure out when to harvest the seeds and what the heck they look like. Your photos and explanations are great.

Chele is certainly skilled at providing easy to understand instructions on the seed collecting process. She did it for me a while back when no one else would. And she explained in the same way as above.

I was able to collect my seeds without getting a magnifying glass and planting things that weren't really seeds.

She's great!

Molly
:^)))

Ha! Yes, I was about to start planing things that weren't really seeds. :)

I agree, she's great!!

Awe, ya gals! Sometimes it is just a lot of trial and error.

I want to say thanks too!!!!! going to collect some seeds from my two plants, mine are buried in with other plants and I never get the freebies... LOL

Great tutorial Badseed...and thanks for the extra info Alta!