| Hello, A friend had told me last summer that I could come and dig up starts off of her Baptista plant this spring. I went today and it is up about 2 to 2.5 inches. I did dig a couple clumps, but had to break alot of roots. I came home immediately and planted them in full sun. Everything I have read has said this won't work well, but she has given alot of starts away over the years and says everyone's has done fine. I was just wondering what your opinion was. I have tried seeds, but have never had any luck with germination. Thanks, Jeanne |
| Baptista or false indigo is difficult to divide because it develops a taproot. Sometimes you can luck out and find stems near the bottom of the plant that have already begun to develop roots. These you can dig and pot up or plant elsewhere in the garden. And sometimes you can get a stem to develop roots by cutting it off the plant and dipping the cut end in rooting hormone, then potting it up. But the easiest way to grow baptista is from seeds that you purchase from the store or collect during the summer from the plant. I don't know whether your new little divisions will root or not, but it's worth a try. Next time you visit your friends garden, take a nursery pot filled with moistened potting soil and immediately plant the divisions in the pot. Then set the pot in a shady area of your garden until the plants have rooted. Hope you have good luck with your divisions! |
