2014 June 20: Many volunteers,
thinned and transplanted about a week ago now still doing well. 27: Some coloured flower buds are almost open. July 31: I deadheaded yesterday.
Almost all the plants had seed pods that were almost mature,
and no more flower buds.
2013 June 30: One volunteer. September 13: Two volunteers flowered nicely, and I collected seeds today.
2011 May 22: There are volunteers in many places.
I think they’re silene.
2010 March 14: I planted 9 cells using seed from the package and from last year. 18: Many many sprouts. 29: Thinned down to 2 sprouts per cell.
I have been thinning them progressively. June 17: I set them out a couple of weeks ago, and they have done little since. July 2: Some have a few flowers. August 6: I never dead-headed, and they have largely gone to seed.
I don’t think they would make an especially showy display anyway.
2009 January 24: I ordered a packet from Stokes Seeds, Royal Elektra variety. March 27: I sprinkled about 50 seeds on top of soil in 2 containers.
I scuffed them in and left them in the basement to germinate where it's cool. 31: Many seeds have sprouted in one container. (The other container was not watered until much later on planting day.) May 24: I set them out.
I had never separated them and some came with small roots systems and little soil. 31: Despite their small root systems they seem to be doing fine! July 4: They have been flowering for about 2 weeks now, and are still growing and coming along fine. August 3: Doing fine although they appear to be finishing.
I did not dead head and there are many seed heads.
Perhaps it is necessary to deadhead. 18: Gone to seed. 24: I collected seeds for next year.