Hosta & Butterfly Bush seed germination

I sowed hosta seed and butterfly bush seed 1/17 (almost 6 wks) indoors in seed starting soil mix and they haven't germinated yet. Indoor temp 68 -74 F, should I give up hope? This is my first experience with these seeds. Thanks!

I am just getting ready to start some butterfly bush seeds, and my enclosed directions call for a 14 day chilling period. I am putting them in the growing medium (moistened), covering and putting in the fridge for two weeks. I wonder if that is what yours needed? Good luck.

Kathy

Greetings --

I've never grown hosta from seed, but starting Butterfly Bush via Winter Sowing has been very successful for me.

I'm guessing that Kathy is correct and the problem with the Butterfly Bush is the lack of cold period.

Hosta may also require cold stratification, but I also seem to recall that it may have a long germination period. You might want to check with someone on the Hosta Forum...

Also check out the Winter Sowing Forum -- you may find that Winter Sowing is the easiest way to start many types of seed.

Good luck,

Liane

Could you put the tray outside for a couple of weeks? I know I wouldn't have room in my fridge for a tray that is already seeded.

Unfortunately, I didn’t receive any germination instructions with the seeds so I didn’t cold stratify them first. I hope it's not to late, I can put the trays outside if you guys think that it will help as joannabanana suggested. Thanks to everyone for your replies, I really appreciate your help.

summer_girl
Hostas
Sow at 68F degrees. If no germination after 3-4 wks, move to 24 to 39F degrees

Buddleia sow at 68F degrees. Germinates in less than 1 week

I have never sown Hostas so giving info that I found.
I have sown Buddleia with no problem a few years ago staring in February. The seeds germinated over a period of 7 days. The plants even bloomed the first summer a bit. Beautiful the following.

So 6 weeks for Buddleia is too long. I wonder if the seeds rotted.
Give time to the Hostas since they do require stratification.

Yeah, I figured that it was a great possibility that the Buddleia may have rotted by now. My neighbor has an established bush that I’ll probably get some clippings from this spring. I understand that they are fairly easy to root. I may have Hosta’s that I can divide this year but we’ll see. Basically, I laid out newspapers in my Hosta & Stella dora bed as weed barriers. I wanted to get that done earlier so that the newspapers would soften enough for the hostas & daylilies to break through but the weather didn’t permit until lately. They’re both pretty resilient so they may push through anyway. If not, Ma-In-Law has plenty that I can divide when the time comes. Nothing better than a warm day digging in the dirt with one of my favorite people and a trunk full of freebies. :)

Don't give up on your hostas though. I sowed some indoors in January and they are just beginning to sprout. I didn't know to cold stratify them either.

summer_girl
Place your Hosta seeds in the frig for a few week to stratify. Keep them covered with plastic. After a few weeks, remove and place the flat in regular house temperature to sprout.
If no room, place the flat in a protected area outside. North is good for germination in your area especially. Or, buy one of those large clear plastic containers, with cover, that Walmart sells and place the flat in there for protection against animals. The seeds will germinate when conditions are right in the spring.