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Post by Michele on May 6, 2017 15:55:17 GMT
Just joined the forum and have a burning question: What do I do with snake's Head fritillary once it has gone over, lost the flower and has a bulbous head (which I assume is full of seeds?). They are in a pot and looking a mess so I want to tidy them up but I want to ensure they come up again next year. Do I cut them back like a daffodil? If the head is full of seeds what do I do with those? Thanks.
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Post by lesley on May 6, 2017 16:29:47 GMT
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Post by Geumlover on May 6, 2017 16:35:29 GMT
Leave them to die down naturally.
Sow the seed fresh. It germinates better straight from the plant rather than being dried off. Cover lightly with grit, gravel or whatever rather than compost. Sow in a deep pot rather than a seed tray (reasons later). Leave exposed to weather. They need a period of cold followed by warmth to initiate germination. When (if?) they germinate do not be in a hurry to p rick them out. This is the reason for deep pot rather than seed tray. They have only one root to begin with and if it is damaged, it dies and a new one has to be produced from the base of the seedling. usually they die. Feed the seed pot with dilute Baby Bio type stuff, until the leaves go yellow then allow the pot to dry off. Repotting may be done when they are dormant. I often do not repot until they have had another seasons growth. Takes about 3 years to reach flowering size. Cannot think of anything else for the moment. Not as hard as it seems.
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Post by SueA on May 6, 2017 21:53:35 GMT
Hi Michele & welcome to the forum. If you don't like the look of them as they die down maybe you could just move the pot to a less visible place but I would let them die back naturally as Geumlover says, don't cut them back. You could try planting them in the ground somewhere you would like them to grow next year ( keep them well watered at first) & they would shed their seeds around & eventually spread or you could collect the seed & sow as Geum suggests.
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Post by Michele on May 7, 2017 10:40:15 GMT
Thank you all for the helpful, prompt responses!
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Post by grindle on May 8, 2017 3:47:28 GMT
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Post by Rosie on May 9, 2017 7:57:22 GMT
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