I have a Lewisia, Galaxy plant indoors that I grew from seed. It bloomed indoors but didn't set seed. Now it has a new flower stalk coming but the old one is still green. Should I cut it off? Is this normal for the plant? This is the first time I've ever gotten it to bloom (or even survive) so I'm completely at a loss. I hope to be able to plant it outdoors next year and want the biggest, healthiest plant possible. Should I even be letting it bloom?

My Lewisia rebloom depending on the weather. They must be very happy with the way you are growing them. Do you know which Lewisia species it is?
I have never removed blooms from mine, I just let them bloom.
Can you show us a photo of yours?

I believe the species is cotyledon but I'll have to check when I get home. I got the seeds from Thompson & Morgan years ago and finally got around to planting some last year.

I meant to take pictures of the blooms but they didn't last as long as I thought they would so I never got the chance. I'll try and post a picture tonight of the plant so you can see the old flower stalk and the new one coming up.

Since it did not set seed I would remove the old stalk. The blooms may not have lasted very long because of being indoors.
I look forward to seeing the photos.

Here are two photos I just took. Some overgrown African violets are in the background.



Should I cut off the old flower stalk as close to the base as possible?

I would cut off the flower stalk as close as possible to the base. Sometimes it will do another batch.

Yes, that does appear to be L. cotyledon.
It looks healthy, but a bit etiolated from being grown indoors. Give it as much light as you can until next spring when you can plant it outdoors. Go easy with the water because winter is usually it's semi-dormant time.

Really love lewisias, it goes on the reverse here on our side..goes really ugly and ratty looking during summer. It comes back in late Fall to early Spring. But have to really make sure it has very good drainage, since we get wet milder winters here.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm not sure why that plant is etiolated (had to look that up!) when it gets about 14 hours under the grow lights a day. I have 2 other pots of Lewisia that look normal but they haven't bloomed.

I'll definitely cut back on the water so that they go semi-dormant. I was basically keeping them in water all the time since otherwise I tend to forget to water them. I guess that is a good thing now!

I'll also cut off the old flower stalk. I guess I expected it to turn brown & fall off by itself but it's been months and it still has green leaves. Maybe the second stalk will get bigger and produce more flowers!

Keep us updated on how they are doing Elena.

I agree with Tarev, they must have very good drainage. and don't do well with soggy conditions. Mine also go somewhat dormant during our summer drought and heat. But like Tarev's, come back as soon as the weather cools.

I'm looking for photos of Lewisia cotyledon but must not be looking in the right places on the web. I ask because I have three seedlings near my first plant that bloomed last year. I have not seen seedlings like this before. Another plant nearby is an Arctotis that has been there may years and has never had seedlings before. Anyone recognize this seedling? I know it's not much to see to go on but I'm hopeful. All three are in very close proximity of the Lewisia and nowhere else.

Hi Leslieray,
I can't tell at this stage, but everything I read about growing Lewisia from seed states that they grow quickly. Should be able to tell in a couple of months, maybe quicker. I see there is more than one seedling in your photo. What an exciting find if they are seedlings.
I am finding seedlings from one of my other Lewisia species, but they are already looking like tiny clones of the seed parent.

Please keep us updated on the growth. I am hoping that is what you have, and we will then have a photo of seedlings.

Lewisia plants and seedlings do not have hairy leaves. Those little tykes are something else.

Thank you Rick. Do you have any photos of newly emerging Lewisia seedlings?

I'll be keeping a close eye on them. There are three total so far. I may have figured it out. I need to see more leaf. It might be Tower of Jewels an Echium. I have never seen the cotyledons, the seed leaves, before. It would account for the hair. I'd rather have more Lewisia at this point.

Do you have any photos of newly emerging Lewisia seedlings?

Alas, I have regretted not taking pics of Lewisia cotyledon seedlings more than any other, I think. Seedlings are so cute when you transplant them: at only a couple months old, they already have nice thick caudices and lots of heft. But the two cotyledons are quite broad and succulent from the get-go, and very glabrous.

The only Lewisia seedling pics I have are of L. rediviva, which are very different looking from L. cotyledon.

Great photo Rick. Now I know what to look for when I am weeding in the lewisia bed.
I will be extra alert looking for L. seedlings.

Lewisia pygmaea can even narrower cotyledons.

I took a look at these NOID seedlings today and boy do they grow slowly. They have a second leaf now thirty five days later! I do think I recognize what it might be. Another nearby parent possibility that I never considered was Echinacea pallida. It usually gets deadheaded but I left it very long. The petals dried in place and I thought it was interesting enough to leave it. So thats what I think it is and It came right to mind after I saw this second leaf. Would rather have had more Lewisia. Here's the new pics. I'll upload them to the DB when I'm positive. There are two other seedlings in the photos that have serrated leaves that are Haloragis erecta most likely wellington bronze 'Wellington Bronze'. the last photo is the suspect parent plant thats just a few feet away. Have a Happy Earth Day!

That is cool Leslie. They do look like echinacea leaves.