Lupinus × hybridus |
Native Region: Queen Charlotte Island collection
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Climate: Full to semi sun; well draining average soil.
Harvest Date: Friday 21 August, 2009
Seed count: 20-25
Description:
Tall stately flower spikes are usually covered in bicoloured or vividly coloured pea like blooms. Some plants can reach nearly 2 meters tall in the right site. Basal clump of lovely lush palmate leaves are always decorative until the frost takes them.
Notes:
Being a legume, it fixes its own nitrogen so plants of this type always benefit the garden as they help enrich the soil. Hardy plant. My ancient neighbour's plants always reseeded themselves in the untended lawn. These plants resent transplanting when lifted from the ground so ensure your seating is the final. Grows well in deep containers. Don't cull smaller and/or weaker seedlings (this conditions is temperary) as these give the most desirable colours.
Cultivation:
Easy to germinate. Gently scarify the seed by rubbing it with a small amount of coarse sand between my hands for 10 seconds but don't get over enthusasitic or you will mortally wound the embryo. Soak seed in tempid water 24-48 hours. Seed should swell (rescarify and soak again if this does not occur. Surface sow in a coarse sand; tamp firm and mist. Keep moist with clear plastic cover (needs light to germinate). Optimum germination temperature: 15-20 C. Germinates in 21 days. Grow in coolish (10-14 C) environment for best growth. Use a plate to catch any material that falls when you scarify.
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