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Looking through the seed websites yesterday I NEARLY ordered a couple of the hybrid sunflowers that are so charming, but I stopped myself. I stopped because I remembered what a pain in the ass they are when they go to seed. They do not breed true and I fought them as weeds for years after planting them.
I suppose I could make an effort to clip their seed heads off when the bloom is mostly spent, but I’m afraid I would forget to do that.
I had a red hybrid celosia that went to seed for a few years, and each year the plants were further and further away from the original parents. They gradually became so scraggly I just pulled them out.
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Since I like to save seeds, I no longer buy or plant hybrids unless it is a veggie that grows well here.
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Now you have me thinking I need to start some, but the high school is having their plants for sale in late April, so I will wait until then. I got some stock, nasturium, snap dragons (to supplement the self seeded), zinnia, dianthus and lavender to replace those that have gotten old and died. I plant seeds for sweet peas and cosmos. Larkspur and 4 o'clocks have self seeded for several years in a messy flower bed so I just let them go. I've had flax come back for a few years, but It is not reliable. I had to learn what the larkspur looked like when starting or I would dig it out. Same with poppies. And they still don't like me much...I admire those of you who start from seed. I did for several years but just got discouraged. It is so uplifting to read about!!!
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The first grown-from-seed giant sunflower opened today!! It's been a teasing process with a little more yellow showing each day..this morning it's fully open!
I feel a sense of accomplishment...though the sunflower did all the work. I was just the assistant/nurturer.
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My indoor seedlings are doing great! I have peppers, egglant, big cukes, mini-cukes, zucchini, coreopsis, zinnia, cherry tomatoes. My biggest frustration right now is waiting to plant them! Up here in zone 5a, we have to wait until Memorial Day. Right now it's 47 degrees outside!
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I made the mistake of buying a couple of herb plants from a nursery and now I have aphids and fungus gnats taking over the inside seedlings. I planted my seed grown tomatos last week and naturally it will be 34 tonight so covering them all. I am most tickled by the rugosa rose seeds that I collected them from a Trader Joe's parking lot last summer. They are getting big but..probably not the best plant for this region.
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So I didn't start any seeds, but I did spend the day clearing out three boxes, adding some new soil and planting a tomato plant and jalapeno plant in one box along with leaving a plant that looks like it may be "something" and not a weed. I also tried something new and cut up some potatoes (pieces had "eyes") and put them under the plants in the big box. LOL. I also have a golden pepper and another tomato plant each in their own container.
Will be looking to plant some lettuce and other greens in the smallest box and not sure what to put in the other yet.
Anyway, Yay!!! lol. I hope things grow.
