Calendula and cerinthe

[Gearoid]

yes, they're ridiculously expensive. I was lucky to get mine in the Sarah Raven Easter treat thingy - the ones I saw locally were something like £3.69 for about 12 seeds (!!!).

The only reason I can think of their expense is the awkward harvesting. I remember collecting seeds a couple of years ago from my plants and I had to go out every week or so and collect a few at a time as they ripened at different times on the plant. Maybe they can only be collected by hand when grown commercially and that hikes up the price.

[veggiechicken]

I leave my Cerinthe to scatter their seeds willynilly. Most of them fall onto steps/patio so I just scrape them up when there's a pile of them. Those I miss, grow where they land, those I gather are scattered somewhere else
I think they're beautiful and most people haven't a clue what they are

[Two_Sheds]

Would it be ok to plant them outside do your honk?

Do I honk? Only when I have a cold

They need hardening off if you're going to move them from a sheltered indoor site to the wild windy outside

[redser]

honk honk. Was meant to be 'do you think'. Thanks TS

[marchogaeth]

I overwintered some cerinthe this year in the unheated gh, and they're well away now: I planted them out (at 8" tall) last week

My cerinthe selfseed in the smallest cracks imaginable. I don't think they're fussy how they're sown

I keep them in the polytunnel through the Summer, they are listed as "bee flowers" and the really are. The ones that self seeded in the beds there are in flower now and just look amazing. I love them - real hippy purple.

Lovely, thanks, will stop fretting and just plonk them in then! lettucegrow!, yes, they're ridiculously expensive. I was lucky to get mine in the Sarah Raven Easter treat thingy - the ones I saw locally were something like £3.69 for about 12 seeds (!!!).

I put a packet on the VSP and they are still there. I see they are flagged as a low seed count but I just put in what is typical for a seed packet.

The only reason I can think of their expense is the awkward harvesting. I remember collecting seeds a couple of years ago from my plants and I had to go out every week or so and collect a few at a time as they ripened at different times on the plant. Maybe they can only be collected by hand when grown commercially and that hikes up the price.

I have to say I didn't find this a problem. I had a few in a pot in the tunnel and picked them as I went in and out and then towards the end I just tied a paper bag round them.

I will check but I think I still have millions, I assume they are fertile as I gave some to my aunt and every seed came up (two plants/seed). She had had the problem of hers suddenly disappearing form the garden and put it down to the previous winters (she knows about flower gardening (well all gardening really but she is 72 and has been doing it since she was about 12).

I'll get back later and if I have them and anyone wants them they will be yours for the stamp.

[lettucegrow!]

Ooooh, if you have any spare I would love some. Out of my four seeds only one has germinated, making them INCREDIBLY expensive

[horticultural_hobbit]

I have yellow and Orange Clendula babies, sat on my classroom window sill germinating. Look like little pom poms on the packet. Got given the seeds to support the Big Sunflower project 2013. Apparently thet are like marigolds....that's bollywood enough to satisfy Mama H.

[marchogaeth]

I keep them in the polytunnel through the Summer, they are listed as "bee flowers" and the really are. The ones that self seeded in the beds there are in flower now and just look amazing. I love them - real hippy purple.

I put a packet on the VSP and they are still there. I see they are flagged as a low seed count but I just put in what is typical for a seed packet.

I will check but I think I still have millions, I assume they are fertile as I gave some to my aunt and every seed came up (two plants/seed). I'll get back later and if I have them and anyone wants them they will be yours for the stamp.

Ooooh, if you have any spare I would love some. Out of my four seeds only one has germinated, making them INCREDIBLY expensive

OK so not millions - I have obviously been giving them away - but enough for 3 or 4 people to have 10-12 each. Lettuce I've PM'd you my address.

[VirginVegGrower]

Cerinthe plants given away today and some of my plants have gone onto the allotment. It is one of my favourites.

[chris]

Have to admit Ive never seen them before - I visited veggiechicken and saw these - instantly loved them

[marchogaeth]

Have to admit Ive never seen them before - I visited veggiechicken and saw these - instantly loved them

Packet in the VSP, Chris - you could liberate them next time you visit.

[chris]

VC actually has given me done from her west Wales place- thank you forgot to add that part in.