A Few Questions From An Intermediate Gardener

[Cosmo and Dibs]

RE: Division of Helenium. Is it worth doing it, or should I just re-plant the whole clump in my desired location? The clump is around 10 inches in diameter. I would like it to flower this year. Would it flower this year if I divided it in two (with buds and roots on each part)?

RE: Sowing Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion) seeds. I've pre-chilled these seeds. Unfortunately, I've lost the instructions and the websites I've googled all have conflicting guidelines. Should I sow them on the surface or do they need covering slightly? Will they flower this year?

Thanks!

[piskieinboots]

RE: Division of Helenium
I (personally) would always divide an oldish clump of perennial, as the middle tends to die off as it regenerates outwards. Remove the best of the edges for replanting and discard the centre.

RE: Sowing Lychnis coronaria
As short-lived perennials, I would say they would flower in the first year. As for covering them, seed size determines the coverage, fine seed I only cover lightly with vermiculite, anything slightly bigger I would cover lightly with compost and then vermiculite.

What size are the seeds?

[Cosmo and Dibs]

Thanks, pisk.

The seeds of the Rose Campion are a little smaller than sweet peas. I will cover slight;y with vermiculite and report back.

[piskieinboots]

with slightly smaller than sweet peas, I would sink them into the soil a small way - that's difficult to relay in words! I mean approx half the distance between your small finger end and your first small finger bend

[Cosmo and Dibs]

I've got you!

I divided the Helenium today.....well, it actually split up easily in my hands. I managed to get 3 good clumps from it.