Lupins

[Mattchewone]

I have a potted lupin at the front of my house which I want to get the seeds from so I can grow them from seed to go in my back garden.



I'm not sure whether it's had too much sun or if it's dying back to seed.

When can I pick the pods?

Thanks


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[Mattchewone]

Also should I cut back those dried out dead straggly leaves at the base?


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[Martin H]

The black pods are ready to pick. Put them on a sunny windowsill either in a tray or in an open paper bag until the pods pop and the seeds fall out.

If you need more seeds, leave the green pods a bit longer, but when you are ready you can cut all the flowered stems and dead leaves off down to the ground. If you do it soon you may even get a few more flowers in the autumn, I'm told, although mine never do.

[roitelet]

Lupins do better in the ground rather than in pots.

[Mattchewone]

In the back garden they'll go in the ground as border plants.

When's best to grow the seeds?


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[Martin H]

Sowing time isn't that critical. I would sow some in early Autumn and hope the small plants make it through the winter. If they do you'll have bigger plants than if you sow in the spring.

[Mattchewone]

Should I sow in small to mid pots and keep inside over the winter. Not got a greenhouse yet.


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[Martin H]

I would sow in small pots and try to get them planted out before winter. They are tough unless their roots get frozen so will be safer in open ground unless you have a cold frame or something similar to protect them.

[Howard]

I have lupins in my garden they are flowering well, except for one of them, It is more like a low bush, about 2 foot round and about 2 foot high, and crammed with loads of very healthy green leaves but no flower stems at all. I have never seen this before has any one got any ideas why?

[Scarlet]

Are they new plants?

[Howard]

Hi Scarlet, no they about 3 years old, the others are as normal but this one is loaded with masses of foliage and no flower stems even when I search at the base, however there are still loads of new foliage still shooting.

[Howard]

Hi. One of my lupins is still sprouting lots of new shoot of foliage but NO FLOWERS, and it's getting bigger, I'm totally lost I've never seen this before, the Lupins around it are still flowering well, they are the same age, same type of plant, purchased from the same supplier and planted at the same time.