Hello -

I am wanting to mix in several of these plants in my flower beds that seem to putter out by late summer. I'll need about a dozen or so and can't afford the $8 price at the local Nursery.
So I ordered a packet of seeds and we'll go that route.

Does anyone know if the seeds need cold dormancy before planting? And how long until blooming probably next year if started this year?

I'm impatient but have no other choice at the moment!

THANKS!

Hi, and welcome to NGA. You should be able to just plant them when they arrive.
Best sown indoors at alternating temperatures of 68 and 86° Expect germination in 5-10 days. If started early enough, plants will flower in the first year from seed. Seeds can also be sown outdoors in spring or summer, up to two months before first frost.

Hi-

Thanks a bunch (of black eyed Susan flowers)! 👍

This is a fun place I'm glad I found it. People very helpful. Gardeners have kind hearts IMO.

This is the most awesome gardening website I know of. And yes, gardeners do have kind hearts.

If grown from seed, they probably won't be 'goldsturms'.

You know, if you purchase a single plant, they spread like mad from the roots, and.... All those blooms set seed that you can sow after they are ripe.

I always grew the seed outside, but dig and divide the off-sets would probably be the easiest way to get the show that you are after.

I can try that as well..... Yet another visit to the greenhouse!

Thanks!

'Goldsturm' self-seeds like mad here and the seedlings grow quite quickly. The only problem is that they sometimes put themselves in the middle of other plants and are very difficult to get out. The seedlings all look much the same so they come true enough.

I think it's a native in our area? Canada, MN, WI? Although I don't recall ever seeing it.

Yes, native. There's a bit of information about it here from Missouri Botanical Garden where they also say it doesn't come true from seed, although as I said I've found them close enough from self-seeding. One thing I have found it hates is for the soil to get dry when it's getting close to flowering, at which point it wilts readily. It's reliably perennial unlike Rudbeckia hirta cultivars.

http://www.missouribotanicalga...

I have a couple plants, or possibly a similar variety, but I think it's this one. Should have saved the seeds last year. I suppose I could divide but don't want to affect the ones I have started.

They seem much sturdier and hardier than the real fuzzy, taller, soft leaved varieties. Those self seed, and SOMETIMES come back in the spring, but not reliably enough imo. Also don't need staking which is nice.

Hey I found these at a local ACE in I'm thinking 3" pots - not ONE plant but loaded with young plants probably about 4" high.... For $3.20 on sale. Couldn't help it bought 15!

But will still grow my seeds.

Woooohoooo!!!

WOWWWW!!!
What a deal that was.
Can't wait to see the results when they all start blooming.

sooby said:'Goldsturm' self-seeds like mad here and the seedlings grow quite quickly. The only problem is that they sometimes put themselves in the middle of other plants and are very difficult to get out. The seedlings all look much the same so they come true enough.

Same here. Mine self-sow moderately and usually in welcome places. They all look the same as the original I planted more than 20 yrs ago.

quercusnut said:

Same here. Mine self-sow moderately and usually in welcome places. They all look the same as the original I planted more than 20 yrs ago.

I'm with Quercusnut here. I planted a few and they have been moving around to the places they pefer for 10 years now. The spread is definitely from seeds and the plants that naturally grow from seeds seem the same as the originals. They are native here in MD. That probably helps.

My original planting of a 6 pack have moved around to 4 new locations and I can almost bet those are the sunniest locations in the yard. I probably have 4 dozen now. Transplanting them is not a good idea. You won't find a better location for them than they will themselves.

Every transplant attempt fails. I can't quite guess right about where they want to be. But THEY know! Their seeds somehow move around and when in the right spot, you will find a dozen next year!

Or you don't have good spaces for them.

Thanks! Isn't that something? Plants are a whole lot 'smarter' than we realize. Check out the documentary:
What Plants Talk About.

Yardenman, I'm surprised you've had problems transplanting them. I've transplanted many and not had any problems. I would have moved them fairly early in the year, perhaps that's the difference? They also, as I mentioned above, can be demanding as to moisture needs at times even though they like the sun. I have also grown them in part-shade though and they've done well there too as long as they get irrigated well enough if in competition with the roots of whatever is causing the shade.