Russell Lupins

[Worldor]

I have a packet of these seeds but no instructions. Will they do OK if I just put them directly into the ground in the garden. My soil is on clay and tends to get waterlogged in this rainy weather.

[andrewo]

Lupins do better underglass, cast them in a seed tray, place them in a propagator or a warm windowsill. When the first set of lupin leaves appear, prick on into pots, put them in a coldframe and leave them to get bigger, you can then plant them in a nursery bed next spring or in situ.

[poultrychat]

I put mine in a 8 inch pot, sprinkled the whole packet in and just covered with compost, put it in a corner of the greenhouse, I intend to plant them out in the autumn all ready for next year so that come next year I won't need to water them

[Worldor]

Thanks for the advice. I have planted them now two to a small pot and put them in trays under paper. When might I expect to see some signs of life? Will it be this year or next?

[Alice]

Hello Worldor, your lupins should germinate pretty quickly and they grow on quickly. I've neve found them to be fussy or difficult. If you had planted them earlier in the spring you would have got flowers this year but at this stage you will be waiting til next year. Grow them on in pots til they're nice wee plants then plant them out where you want them to grow as they can be difficult to move as they make very big roots. If you're soil is clay and wet you might find them short lived say about 3 years, but just replant when you want more. The dead flower stems are hollow and if left standing rain goes down and rots the crowns, so take them off alltogether or push them over onto the ground. Hope you get some lovely colours. I just love the smell of them.

[Worldor]

Thanks Alice. Can't wait.