Sweet Cicely

[northepaul]

Hello all
I have a question to any herb experts regarding Sweet cicely. I have some seeds but from what I have read, its quite hard to get them to germinate because they need a period of cold before this happens. Could I just store them in the fridge? If so, do I need to do anything special?

Thanks in advance

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

The only help I can give is buy a plant (available from Poyntzfield Herbs) I tried germinating seeds with no success, aren't you meant to treat the seeds like parsley seeds - pour boiling water over them? I was informed that Sweet Cicely is related to parsley

[northepaul]

The only help I can give is buy a plant(available from Poyntzfield Herbs) I tried germinating seeds with no success, aren't you meant to treat the seeds like parsley seeds - pour boiling water over them? I was informed that Sweet Cicely is related to parsley

Thanks Frosty you may well be right..

I do like the look of Poyntzfield, the only thing that puts me off is the £6.50 postage.

I think I might try the seeds and if I have no luck, I'll splash out next year...

[basketcase]

The only help I can give is buy a plant (available from Poyntzfield Herbs) I tried germinating seeds with no success, aren't you meant to treat the seeds like parsley seeds - pour boiling water over them? I was informed that Sweet Cicely is related to parsley

How on earth does it grow in the wild, then?!

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

No idea

[basketcase]

No idea

Obviously another candidate for Guru - after my promotion, of course!!

[Lovage]

Sweet Cicely seeds like many others germinate easily when they are fresh. As they dry out the germination inhibitors develop and need a period of cold to help break them down.
The answer is too late for this year but sow your sweet cicely seed as soon as you collect it from the plant

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

I remember from when I asked the same question a kind Grape offered to send me a root cutting. So if you have trouble germinating the seeds PM me and I'll get a root cutting for you from my plant.

[northepaul]

Sweet Cicely seeds like many others germinate easily when they are fresh. As they dry out the germination inhibitors develop and need a period of cold to help break them down.
The answer is too late for this year but sow your sweet cicely seed as soon as you collect it from the plant

Hmm I bought the seeds from a seller..and am going to try my fridge idea over the winter months to see what happens...

Thanks for the information Lovage (great herb by the way ) thats really interesting.

[northepaul]

I remember from when I asked the same question a kind Grape offered to send me a root cutting. So if you have trouble germinating the seeds PM me and I'll get a root cutting for you from my plant.

Frosty, thank you, thats so nice!
I will have a go with the seeds and see what happens...if nothing then I will definately take you up on the offer

[solway cropper]

Never tried growing it but when we lived near the River Tees we'd just pick the leaves and chew them as we walked. For some reason it grows in profusion in certain places but in others it won't grow at all so it may well be very fussy about soil conditions. Also, in order to germinate successfully the seeds may need to be stratified. This basically replicates the sort of conditions found in nature and is easily achieved by mixing the seed with damp sand and leaving in a poly bag in the fridge for a month.