Are there any tricks or information that anyone would like to share?
The packet says germination may take up to 42 days?
I tried them one year,but probably tossed them thinking they were not going to germinate.

I can't help. I've never tried them.

Karen

I grow mini marine heliotrope every year. This is my favorite and goes in almost every pot. I just sow on top of seed soil, cover with a dome, and place on warming mat at about 68 or so. Germinating in about 2 weeks. The regular Marine is just to big for me. Then I pot up in 4 inch when they get big enough to handle. I'll get a picture of mine.

Here you go! Looks like it's time to pot up.

I grow them from seed as well. This year I am using the vermiculite sowing and put them on a heat mat. Germinated in just a couple of weeks this year.

BUT, I also take cuttings in the fall because they are fairly slow growers, at least for me.

Thanks. Warmth and light does it.

Yes, you got it! Caroline have you grown heliotrope in the garden be for?

I occasionally have purchased plants for container growing.
But I am an inveterate seedster, and must try everything from seeds!

You will do well. They are easy but they will not be good size plants until late May.

Usually we can not put tender annuals out until beginning of June so that will be fine here.

I've grown them from seed and found them to be VERY slow growing. I've overwintered a few, but they always end up full of bugs. But they smell soooooo good! Hmm, think I'll go see if I have any seeds left.

Does anyone know how long Heliotrope seed stays viable at room temp? I found some 2008 seed and am letting it pre-soak before sowing. I won't count on any germination but it will be fun to see if anything sprouts.

Well, unfortunately, the resource I checked only shows them being viable for 1-2 years in ideal storage. I found 3 lone seeds in my little baggie, and I know I've had them for longer than that, so I guess we'll see just how accurate that list I checked is. Fingers crossed.

Thanks, fingers-crossed! I've never grown Heliotrope before but I may just buy a plant, if these don't germinate, and plant it near the front door.

I started some last year in January and they were gorgeous. I ended up putting 3 plants in a wood barrel with other purple plants. The seeds were 3 years old. I used a heat mat during germination time. Careful not to get water on the foliage. From my notes: sowed them Jan 11/13, germinated Jan 17/13. Dwarf Benary's Marine packaged 2010.

Apr 6 (germinated Jan 17)



Apr 27



July 8



Aug 11



Aug 25



Seed Starting January 2013


Also, seeds were from William Dam Seeds http://www.damseeds.com

Is that fan flower in your last picture? Scaveola?
Your Heliotrope were amazing.
Your pictures are inspiring---I just sowed some last night so mine will be small.
They were Dwarf Marine from Mr. F. seeds rack.

Yes Scaveola, Ipomea, Dwarf Cypress grass

Beautiful plants Joanne!!

look happy for sure

Thanks Ladies!
I surface sow them in a 72 cell tray. I do add a fine layer of vermiculite as well. Once germinated I remove the dome and bottom heat. Last year I used Daniels 10-4-3 diluted liquid fertilizer on the seedlings.