Meconopsis betonicifolia |
Syn. Meconopsis baileyi
Native Region: Nepal
Zone Range: 7-9
Preferred Climate: Semi sun/shady sites; well draining humus rich evenly moist soil.
Harvest Date: Monday 03 December, 2012
Seed count: 50-60
Description:
One of the most sought after treasures of the botanical world. Clear sky blue flowers held 1-1.5 meters above a basal rosette of foliage studded with golden hair. Each bloom lasts about 10 days starting late spring and are borne in succession until mid summer. Though it is monocarpic, good healthy plants will produce daughter offshoots that will in turn create daugher offshoots of their own creating one heck of a self sustaining clump over time. NEVER divide as you will kill them. Loves an eastern exposure where it gets morning sun then shade/dappled sun for the rest of the day.
Notes:
This is my third year growing this species from seed. Despite the literature that states the viability of this seed is short lived, somehow we had great germination in 2008 from seed collected in 2003. Then again, I use my own fancy germination initiator affectionately called 'Skookum Grow' which is available for purchase.
Cultivation:
Fill flats or plug trays with a medium of equal mix of coarse sand and peat moss. Moisten well. Top dress with a thin layer of 3/4 sand and 1/4 peat moss. Tamp. SOW THINLY! Sprinkle seed over the prepared surface. Use a fine mist to seat seeds into the surface. Use a clear plastic dome and to provide shade we use a piece of sheer fabric. Mist every other day or so. Never let seed/seedlings become dry or waterlogged. Remove fabric when green sprouts start to appear in 14-30 days and provide bright indirect light and NEVER direct sun! Occasionally remove dome to provide ventilation but keep using the dome until seedlings have strong enough root system. Bottom heat greater than 22 C seriously impairs germination rate. Don’t separate seedlings growing together. We always mist with a Skookum solution for prompt even germination in 7 days.
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