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Apr 3, 2012 5:53 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing I hear ya! Green Grin! I would really like to purchase a couple of the perennial Salvia if this doesn't work. No hurry though. Whistling
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Apr 3, 2012 6:01 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
Every time I go to a nursery, or even Lowes or Home Depot, I look at the big plants in pots and lust after them.

But I'm still optimistic enough to think that I will eventually learn how to start almost anything from seed, if I just keep trying.

But my advice to novice gardeners learning to start seeds indoors (or outdoors):
start with something really easy, like annual flowers or vegetables. Let that build up your confidence and mastery of mysteries like "moist but not soggy" and "enough light".

And one that's still tough for me: "pot up before they're too root-bound".

Another tip for novices:

"startification" is not a mis-spelling of "startification", and it is not just a fancy name for "start-ify-ing" seeds.

It's actually a technical term for starting certain perennial seeds that delight in frustrating us by going "dormant" after some time in storage. A higher percentage may germinate, faster, if "woken up" by time spent moist and cold, as if laying in the ground through winter.

Look up "winter sowing" or start with something easier! (Or try starting them anyway, ignoring the need to "stratify", because you will probably get SOME germination anyway, especialy with very fresh seeds
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Apr 3, 2012 6:32 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
I hardly ever get fresh seeds, I got These Salvia seeds on seed swap (Hog Wild) Thumbs up
I like the wintersowing, it takes care of the Stratification, this winter was crazy.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Apr 4, 2012 6:21 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
So I gather no one bags their seed heads?
I garden for the pollinators.
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Apr 4, 2012 1:38 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
>> I got These Salvia seeds on seed swap (Hog Wild)

Most of mine, too. Hurray for the HWPS!

>> So I gather no one bags their seed heads?

I haven't grown them long enough to know whether or not I will need to.

I'm still wondring how to know whether a slightly-faded bloom does or doesn;t have a matuire seed inside.
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Apr 4, 2012 4:36 PM CST
Name: Karen
Valencia, Pa (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cut Flowers Winter Sowing Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Echinacea
Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Ohio Region: United States of America Butterflies Hummingbirder Celebrating Gardening: 2015
A "slightly faded" flower most probably doesn't have mature seeds. Generally speaking, when the seeds are mature and ready to harvest, the flower looks dead. It'll be brown and dry, and usually the stem will be starting to look brownish, too. If there are obvious pods, they'll start to open in preparation for dropping seeds.

Some seed heads ready for harvest
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Karen
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Apr 4, 2012 4:49 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
>> Generally speaking, when the seeds are mature and ready to harvest, the flower looks dead. It'll be brown and dry,

I agree with that, for other flowers I've tried to collect seed from.

However, I don't recall my Salvia ever reaching the "brown and dry" state during the summer . First there were colorful blooms, maybe I saw them starting to fade, briefly, then they were replaced by younger blooms. I think i did see some brown blooms in late fall and that's where i got the few seeds I did get ...

Maybe I'm mis-remembering what the Salvia did during the summer, or didn;'t watch closely enough, or maybe the whole bloom fell off as soon as it died.

They seemed to be in bloom all summer.
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Apr 4, 2012 5:01 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Nice illustrations Karen, I left most of my seed on the flowers for the birds, that is the main reason I choose certain plants. I am trying to get the birds to eat the seeds off the flowers and ween them off the bird feeders, (except winter) This way my yard can become a Habitat instead of a buffet. Whistling
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Apr 4, 2012 5:13 PM CST
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
Same reason that I'm planting rudbeckia maxima for the finches. Rabbits eat the other rudbeckias here, but leave these alone. I plan on planting more and more thistle-type seeds for them. Nyjer seed is $30 for a 20 lb bag. We enjoy watching them at the feeder, but I'd rather spend that $30 on plants...lol..
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
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Apr 4, 2012 5:18 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Me too Sherry! Green Grin! I will check out the maxima, it dosn't ring a bell but I will get it for the finches. Let me know if you know of any other plants, I do not have any nyjer seed right now because I don't have a decent feeder that the squirrel wont tear up, maybe by next winter I will have something decent. Thumbs up
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Apr 4, 2012 5:40 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
>> I left most of my seed on the flowers for the birds

Ornamental millet / Pennisetum glaucum, e.g. 'Purple Majesty'?
Ornamental Millet (Cenchrus americanus 'Purple Majesty')
That had HUGE sed heads.

(photo of Pearl Millet: )
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Apr 4, 2012 6:16 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
I forgot about that!. Green Grin! You gave me some seeds. Hurray! I tip my hat to you.

Do you have a picture of your 'salvia greggii'?? Green Grin!
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
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Apr 4, 2012 6:22 PM CST
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
I had sown purple millet and had quite a few seedlings potted, gave away a lot and then gave away the rest of the seeds I had...then my potted seedlings died...lol...hopefully I'll have one left out there.
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
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Apr 4, 2012 6:28 PM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
I think Rick gave most of his away on the seed swap, fortunately I received a lot from him. He is very generous. Green Grin!
I will send you half of what I have, should be at least a hundred.

BTW, I really loved your salvia pictures. Thumbs up
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
Image
Apr 4, 2012 6:43 PM CST
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
I would love the seeds, thank you. Did you keep my address? Can I send you postage? I will have salvia seeds this year, but a lot of what I grow is tender. I will have greggii seeds....

Oh, I just checked and I have some rudbeckia maxima seeds that I didn't sow...would you like them? I haven't checked to see if they will grow in your zone....
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
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Apr 4, 2012 8:12 PM CST
Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f
Frugal Gardener Garden Procrastinator I helped beta test the first seed swap Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Region: Pacific Northwest
Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Master Level Garden Sages I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database.
Wow, did i share S. greggii seeds in the HWPS?

If so, I think they were 'Wild Thing' originally from from nbgard in the 2010 HWPS.


If Susan has plenty of the ornamental millet seeds, I'm sure she'll get the to you sooner than I can - I am MONTHS behind!

Those originally came from someone in the "New Bee Seeds" group of donors in the DG Seed Trading forum. She sent a gallon bag of huge seed heads, and I do mean huge. Unfortunately, her name was not on that gallon bag, so I don;t know who we should thank! I've been told since then that this is a hybrid plant, but others have said the next generation is still purple/black, dramatic, tall, dark and handsome, just not AS DARK a purple/black.

Here's all the info I found on it:

Ornamental Millet 'Purple Majesty' Pennisetum glaucum
Non-patented ornatmental grass
dark purple/black
2'-5' tall 9-12" apart
dramatic, unusual
birds eat 8-12" seed spikes
Hardy Zone 8-10
? ? ? tolerates heat & drought?
? ? ? or needs always- moist soil?
may be invasive
full sun for dark color
AAS Gold Medal winner


bloom mid-summer to early fall
cut flowers or dried flowers
sow indoors before last frost - germn 70-85 degrees.
cover lightly or direct sow after soil is 55 degrees
CAN grow in containers
may be trap plant for squash bugs
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Apr 4, 2012 10:26 PM CST
Name: Sherry
Northern California
Sunset Zone 17
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Pacific Northwest Seed Starter Region: California Plant Identifier
My original seeds came from DG also...lol...
I could be wrong...
and.....
"maybe I should have kept my mouth shut....."
The Urge for Seeds is Strong in This One.....
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Apr 4, 2012 10:48 PM CST
Name: Marilyn
Kentucky (Zone 6a)
Laughter is the Best Medicine!
Region: United States of America Rabbit Keeper Hummingbirder Salvias Charter ATP Member Birds
Echinacea Butterflies Tender Perennials Bee Lover Container Gardener Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Regarding pinching/cutting back....

On Salvias and Agastaches I try to stop pinching/cutting back by Sept. 1 in my yard. I'm zone 6 and I want to make sure the plants come back the following year. I want to make sure the plants are far enough away from the first frost and freeze.

I do pinch/cut back when planting and during the season on both Salvias and Agastaches.
Welcome to the Agastache and Salvias Forum!

Hummingbirds are beautiful flying jewels in the garden!


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Apr 5, 2012 3:47 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
It's always wise to pay attention to that first frost date whether it materializes or not. Better safe than sorry back this way.
I garden for the pollinators.
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Apr 5, 2012 3:56 AM CST
Name: Susan
Virginia (Zone 8a)
God is the only thing that matters.
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Ideas: Level 1 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Hibiscus Dragonflies Daylilies
Bee Lover Dahlias Butterflies Hostas Birds Lilies
Sherry, I still have your address, do not worry about postage. I will check into the rudbeckia maxima, I would love some salvia greggii seeds and you can go ahead and send some maxima, it is ok for my zone. Thumbs up


Rick, thanks for all the information. I did not see any greggii seeds from HWSS, I can look again. I have a crock pot full of seeds and the goal was to get rid of seeds, SMH.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Mat.6:28-29
Last edited by virginiarose Apr 5, 2012 3:59 AM Icon for preview

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