Scabiosa |
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Dipsacaceae: Scabiosa atropurpurea | |
Other Years
2003
March 25: I started many seeds in vermiculite in a margarine tub.
10 were from the original purchase; the rest were from last year's garden.
I put them in vermiculite as they are supposed to germinate slowly and irregularly
and this way I can transplant them as they germinate.
28: 2 sprouts.
I transferred them to cells, and found 5 sprouts to move.
29: Many more sprouts.
I filled 18 cells and left the rest in the vermiculite.
May 22: I set out my plants.
July 2: The first flower is opening.
15: The second flower is now open.
That first flower was on a stunted plant, that did little more than produce 1 flower.
The other plants are larger with many flower stalks and buds ready to open soon.
29: Many flowers, all the same colour.
I started deadheading a few days ago.
They have been serving as a food source for a black swallowtail butterfly for a few days now.
August 26: I collected seeds yesterday and cleared them away today.
2002
March 24: I planted 18 seeds in 9 cells, using the seeds bought last year.
30: 1 sprout.
31: Still just 1 in the morning.
April 7: I replanted them.
I put 11 seeds in 9 cells.
I removed the outer husks first, and set them into sand-peat-vermiculite mix,
often with the "umbrella" stalk sticking out.
14: 1 sprout.
May 28: I set it out.
July 24: Just coming into flower.
August 2: My 2 plants are flowering well.
September 8: Still some flowers, although I have not deadheaded.
2001
January 3: A package of seeds of mixed colours arrived today from Thompson and Morgan, US$1.99.
May 18: I sowed seeds into the garden.
August 18: There were no early sprouts, but some later ones have produced their first flower.
December 2: The 2 plants flowered well into frost, and eventually stopped when they set seed.
2000
April 15: None this year.