HOW to germinate cleomes??

[RobintheBobin]

I'm so frustrated with cleomes...I couldn't get them to germinate last year so I thought I would try again this year and...nothing, not a snifter, not anything!!!

Can anyone give me advice on how to get them to germinate? They look so beautiful and I'd love to have them to have as cut flowers this year but I'm conscious that it is may be getting a little late in the year.

Thanks for any advice
x

[Capsid]

I got success last year and the year before but this year, nada. I suspect the seed was too old as it's the same packet. I scatter the seed on top of some compost and keep it moist indoors. I think I just followed the sowing instructions on the packet.

[mykonian]

Sowed mine a couple of weeks ago and had really good germination rate. Sowed them as directed on the packet - 1/4" deep in compost in a small pot, and put them on a sunny windowsill. Covered the the try with a propagator lid (but no heat) and they were up within a week or so. Just about ready to prick out now I reckon.
Shouldn't be too late to sow another lot now. Seem to remember reading somewhere that that Christopher Lloyd (of Great Dixter) recommended not sowing until May as a cold spell can slow them down and they don't recover well.
Grew them last year and the flowers were amazing - lasted ages in the garden and make great cut flowers. Everyone admired them in the front garden.
Good luck!!

[MrsC]

I'm trying Cleomes this year also. I had some in a tray covered on a sunny windowsill, no sign after 2 weeks so I put them in the propagator, got about 7 small seedlings. Going to try some more in propagator. They are beautiful flowers

[Alice]

I grew some last year. Just planted in a tray in the usual way, put the tray in a freezer bag and clipped it closed, put it on the windowsill and there they were.
You're not too late to try again for this year. Good luck.

[RobintheBobin]

Oh boo hoo it sounds like I'm the only one having problems I really want them to germinate as I would love them as cut flower this year. They are in the propagator with lots of heat so don't know what is going on...I'll give them another go with no heat just a plastic bag...