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May 31, 2018 1:57 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Allan Love
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Hydrangeas are my favorite flower, however I've got them from my local Lowe's potted. This year I wanted to grow them from seed. With no luck, of all the seeds I tried to germinate didn't germinate. Especially the dark purple hydrangea and a vanilla strawberry, which I really wanted to grow. None of them germinated, I was heartbroken,what was I doing wrong. I tried every way I knew, papertowel method, surface sowing, you name it I tried it, nothing. I got the seeds from China, it took an eternity to get them after getting them none germinated. Could a member point out what I was doing wrong or maybe give me some pointers where I can be more unsuccessful. Thanks in advance.
Avatar for Monetwwqi
May 31, 2018 2:37 AM CST
Name: Tamara
Fresno County, California (Zone 9b)
First of all I have heard no good reports about seeds coming from China. I too have tried seeds from China. They were supposed to be lemongrasss. The package contained several hundred seeds, out of which one germinated. It was not lemongrass.. It was a weed.

If you do get a hold of real hydrangea seeds, they need to be surface sown, in other words, planted on the surface without covering with soil. Use a good potting soil and keep it moist but not wet. Protect the seeds from cold and wind. It takes about two weeks for the seeds to germinate.

Good luck.
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May 31, 2018 4:19 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Allan Love
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Thank you, Tamara, I knew a Tamara in college. Okay China is definitely out for getting seeds. When I get some seeds from the U.S. I'm sure I'll be more successful I've heard getting a heating tray my help, at this point I'll try anything, I have to get my hydrangeas in the ground. Thank you so much for your advice. When I'm successful, I'll send a pic of my seedlings.
Avatar for Monetwwqi
May 31, 2018 5:04 PM CST
Name: Tamara
Fresno County, California (Zone 9b)
You're welcome. I love hydrangeas but have never had one at my house. My grandparents had a huge white hydrangea outside their kitchen window. Mind you this was at least 50+ years ago. It was at least 6 foot tall and just as wide, if not wider. The flower heads were massive. Someday, if my body cooperates, and I can pull out some volunteer pecan trees and Morning glories, I would love to put in hydrangea bushes.

Hope you find the seeds you want and they sprout with no difficulty. Good luck again.
Avatar for scvirginia
May 31, 2018 10:40 PM CST
Name: Virginia

I've never grown hydrangeas from seeds, but I have grown them from cuttings. If you want the baby plant to look like the parent plant, though, cuttings are the way to go, since hydrangeas seedlings may or may not look like their parents. Some plants will "come true from seed" (the seedlings are exactly like the parent plants), but hydrangea seedlings are unique.

Here's a link to info about growing hydrangeas from cuttings:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.c...

I also would be cautious about ordering seeds from China.

Good luck,
Virginia
Avatar for MindiHammerstone
May 31, 2018 11:05 PM CST
Name: Mindi Hammerstone
Tracy, CA (Zone 9b)
Dog Lover Dragonflies
Good luck!!🍀

😀

Mindi
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Jun 1, 2018 12:35 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Allan Love
Northern California (Zone 9a)
Thanks all, for your advice. I also had a great Aunt, in Visalia who had, three huge hydrangeas around her house with huge white blooms all summer long. That's who I got my desire from. I have also grown from taking cuttings from mature hydrangeas. But I want the challenge of watching something grow from the ground. Thanks for everybody's advice and encourgaement. I'll post when successful. 😎
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