rudbeckia seed saving & Marvels of Peru

[queen of the cobs]

Dear All,

I bought some Rudbeckia plug plants from a Lib Dem event (perfect colours all yellow and orange!) - they have been fantastic, 50p for 6 plants and in bloom over the whole summer. the trouble is, I don't see how they go to seed so I can grow some more next year - I assumed that the small heads would be like a sunflower. Are they perennials?

Also, planted some marvels of peru from seed, did wonderfully and have saved heaps of seed from them, but not sure if they are a perennial as well?

many thanks.

[bramble]

Don't know much about them but, I grew Marvel of Peru a few years ago and I think the frost killed them because they never reappeared the next year.
They form a corm or bulb type thing so maybe you might be better digging them up and planting out again in the spring.
Am no expert so someone may have better advice.

[zazen999]

I save echinacea seed every year and the head dries back, and inside there are little triangular seeds underneath the top layer of dry chaff. I think the Rudbeckia is similar if I remember rightly.

Take a dried seed head off, and you can pick off the top chaff layer, and see what's underneath. Similar to sunflower but not quite!!!

I tested the echinacea by putting 3 or 4 into damp kitchen roll and leaving to germinate, I test all my seeds like this as soon as I can.

[Two_Sheds]

I bought some Rudbeckia ...Are they perennials?

Also, planted some marvels of peru ...are a perennial as well?

this Rudbeckia is perennial. What sort have you got, do you know?

Marvel of Peru is a perennial, but is usually grown as a HHA (tender annual), so best grown from seed each year.

[Tam]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...kia_39123.html
- This is a very recent discussion re rudbeckia.

[queen of the cobs]

thanks everyone for your advice = have been saving seed from the m of p so will replant next year. will do my best to find the rudbeckia seeds!