Germinating Butterfly Bush seeds

Need some help on how to germinate butterfly bush seeds. I have given some to my sister, and she is here overnight, so I not only need the information, but I need it quickly.

Thanks for your help.

Hi Defoe. I just started some, too. The site I used said to stratify them for 3 weeks, then surface or just cover sow them... I'm still at the stratify stage so I don't know how they will do. Good luck!

Thanks, I gave my sister some that I had received in trade, so I didn't know what needed to be done. I may try some and see how they do. Thanks for the information.

I've tried these in my basement with no luck and outside in the spring in trays with no luck, IF I try them again think I will winter sow, I have all kinds coming up from the bushes that have reseeded, so I'm thinking they like the cold thing.
Lea

I'm trying to grow these from seeds this year, also. LeBug, I, too, had them coming up in my other pots last year and thought they might be a good candidate for wintersowing. Hope to have some interesting crosses.
Digs

DigsGardening, what colors do you have? I have a white, Black Knight, and the light purple with orange eyes and all my little starts are the light purple with the orange eyes. These are all in different spots so I don't know how this happens unless they all revert back to the main one and this is it?
Lea

LeBug,
I have all of my colors mixed. Sorry, at the time I was dead heading and I just put the pods in the same container. I don't remember what color the volunteer seedlings were.These seeds were collected from white, purple, Pink Delight, Black Knight, Royal Red, and the light purple w/orange eyes that you have. You are welcome to try some of my mix. I have about 1/4 cup of uncleaned seeds. The seeds themselves are very small so there is a lot chaff mixed in. Send my your addy it you want some.
Digs

Digsgardening, excuse my interruption, do you have extra seeds for trade maybe? I got a few in trade, and my sister is starting a garden, and was going through my seeds the other day, and asked if she could have those. Alas, I gave them to her, and now have none for myself. I have several seeds to trade. What are you interested in?

I do!. Send me your addy.
Digs

Thanks, my address is: Bonnie Ethington, 881 Cedarmore Road, Pleasureville, Kentucky 40057.

Do you want anything in return? I have many annuals, vines, climbers, perennials, and veggies. Name it and I will see if I have it.

Bonnie

DigsGardening, Yes I would love to have some of your seeds, I will try wintersowing now and in March, sounds good. I think it takes a while for them to germinate.
I have a trade list or if you prefer a sase I can send that I'm in the address exchange, just let me know ;-) I know these seeds are small, I had seeds that I have tried before but forgot how small, are they like a little larger than dust? lol I tried collecting and remember giving up because they were so small, couldn't tell if they were seed or not, guess they were :-)

almcfarla, you'll have to let us know how your seed works out.

defoecat, have you decided how you're going to do them yet, think you will try both ways? Don't forget us, keep us posted on your germination I would very interested to see how it comes out for you and I will post my results on here too.

Lea

Yes, I will try wintersowing, and also in pots in the greenhouse. I hope that I have a success, and will report the results.

I will!

Amy

You know, I just remembered, I did have one plant come up last year, I started in Feb. downstairs, underlights, put them outside later on, after spring I think, and I think that it was around the end of the summer before it germinated. A whole pack and one plant, these were from swallowtail gardens and I trust their seed, just didn't have that much luck. The plant is by my house and up about 2', of course it's dormant and it is the orange eyed one, was suppose to be a mixture, might have been if more would have germinated lol
Lea

LeBug

I'll try some of the white zinnias, please.

When I planted the butterfly bush in December, I just sprinkled the seed/chaff mix on top of some moist medium, covered the container and left it outside. I did not cover the seeds as light aids germination. The seeds were collected in '05 and kept in a cool basement. Will mail these out to you as soon as possible.
Digs

LeBug
You have D-mail.
Digs

defoecat,
Am interested in the annuals and perennials. Send me a short list of what you have. I'm like a kid, don't give me too many choices 'cause I won't be able to decide! (lol) Will get your seeds in the mail as soon as possible. See the planting note in LeBug's post.

Digs

Digs, I have sunflower seeds, several kinds, petunias, zennias, salvia, purple cone flower, all sorts of columbine, morning glories several varieties, cardinal creeper, dianthus, sweet william, four o'clocks. I have others but did not check my seed box. See anything you like? I will send these as soon as you let me know what you want. Is it okay for us to just take care of the postage for what we ship?

Bonnie

defoecat,
I'd like some salvia, perennial or annual, doesn't matter, like 'em all. Will send your BF bush seeds out in Saturday's post. You and LeBug will be glad to hear that I was able to sift most of the big chaff from the mix. The seeds are so tiny and there is still some really small filler but that will make it easier to sow the seeds thinly. Scatter on top of moist seedling mix and cover to retain moisture. I'd put them outside in a protected area 'til they germinate. We will each spend about the same in postage so if it's okay with you, we're even.

LeBug, your seeds will be sent on Saturday, also.

Hope they grow well for ya'll.

Have enough to share with two other D-gardeners if anyone is interested.

Digs

This message was edited Jan 20, 2006 8:50 PM

Yes I was really worried about that 'chaff' lol
Thanks Digs, Sat. is good too ;-)
Lea
Sent yours out today

This message was edited Jan 20, 2006 11:40 PM

Digs, you seeds will be in the mail tomorrow.

Happy growing.

Bonnie

Digsgardening is correct about how to grow this plant from seeds. If you sow them as she said, they will grow. Just keep them in total shade - they are quite fragile and look like grass when they first come up.

Digs, got the butterfly bush seed yesterday. Thanks.

Bonnie