Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Seedy Subjects! => Grow From Seed => Topic started by: maggiepie on April 23, 2009, 07:25:28 PM
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I received some alyssum spinosum seeds in the lucky dip surplus seeds earlier this year, and they are sprouting at the moment.
I can't find much information about them and would like to know if they are invasive in the garden, before I plant them. ???
Any information would be appreciated. :)
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It's not invasive in my experience... I have it in a trough where it's done nicely, and covers itself in bloom in spring. I've seen it in the ground in an alpine garden here - it seems to grow in a slow manner, at least in our climate and conditions. (It was formerly Ptilotrichum spinosum.)
I should add... mine is 'Roseum' - the flowers are normally white.
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Lori, thanks a lot.
Never having actually seen it I was a bit concerned it might self seed all over the place.
Now I don't have to worry about giving some of the plants away ;D
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It's one of those plants that seemingly does best in brilliantly lit conditions with poor, sharply drained soil.
Perhaps that's the wrong dialectic, however, and a better way of putting it is that this plant does better under such harsh conditions than many others.
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and won't spread about. It is a little shrub of spiny character and is, to my mind, choice. It looks like the 'Roseum' form in Lori's picture. Some are pale, almost flesh pink.
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Rodger, thanks for your input, I have enough seedlings to try them in lots of different places and conditions.
Lesley, I am really glad to hear you say that!!
Hmmmm does reading count as hearing?
The seeds sprouted like weeds so fast I was a bit concerned and was only going to keep a couple and chuck the rest.
Now I will hoard them ;D
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I don't want to put a dampener on things, but I really hope your seedlings ARE what they're supposed to be Helen. I've never had any viable seed on mine. Like getting viola pedata from a seed list. You KNOW it's wrong when you get a hundred seeds and they germinate within a few weeks. It's always V. pedatifida. Nice enough but not up to the genuine thing.
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Lesley, would the leaves identify them at an early stage?
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Helen, this page from the Ottowa Valley RG club has a good shot of more mature fioliage which may be of help to you...... http://www.ovrghs.ca/gallery/pages/Ptilotrichum%20spinosum.htm
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Maggi, thanks for the link, now I just have to wait ;)
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While looking for information on Alyssum spinossum, the white version ( google), I came upon this old thread.
The seedlings I had from the lucky dip list were indeed A. spinossum, only managed to keep one alive but it flowered last year.
Here is a pic.
I didn't get any seeds but think there were some there.
I was absolutely charmed by this little plant, it was absolutely gorgeous.
Hope it has survived winter.
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Looks like the real thing. I have grown it in the past, like Rodger I found it thrived in a dry, sunny place in poor soil. It eventually got so big (across not high) that the it suffered damage in the middle and became untidy. Never got seed and cuttings were difficult to root. I no longer have it but keep looking out for another plant.
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Tony a local 'alpine' supplier puts it in garden centres in N Ireland. If I see it will I get you one?
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Well done, Helen! It is also somewhat evergreen, even here, so when the snow melts, you may be able to tell if it overwintered successfully. Here's my little plant, as it was briefly exposed... (though now covered again by snow):
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Tony a local 'alpine' supplier puts it in garden centres in N Ireland. If I see it will I get you one?
Kind offer Mark - might be a bit fragile to post though!
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Lori, I haven't seen mine since around last November.
It looked like one side of it had croaked, bare little branches.
Am hoping it survived though.
I did get more seeds from the exchange this year, am hoping they too are the real deal.
Just sorry I didn't grab the seeds when I saw them, perhaps I might get a seedling or two. :)
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I find it easy enough from cuttings. The apparent seed has not proved to be fertile.
It is, I understand now called Ptilotrichum spinosum and the form above is roseum, much better than a pale, slightly grubby pink that is sometimes seen.
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Lesley, someone must be getting fertile seeds.
I wonder what their secret is. ???
I also received some seeds for the white version from NARGS, is that likely to be the grubby pink you refer to?
Is there a white version?
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Just to tease you folks I'll remind you of a picture of a rather large and magnificent specimen shown in the "Old" archived Forum by Doreen Mear....
http://www.srgc.org.uk/discus/messages/283/20883.html is the page.... scroll down to the message
Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - 9:09 am: Doreen Mear 8)
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Maggi, thanks for the link.
What a magnificent plant, I do hope mine is alive.
The archives are such a treasure.
Lesley, I saw all your pics in the same thread, some real beauties, the Ranunculus lyallii is beautiful do you still have it?
The dianthus you mention as being wonderfully scented, do you still have it?
Would love a few seeds from it if you get some spares. :)
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Helen, yes I do still have the Ranunculus but as predicted, not such a good plant now, as then. It's too hot and dry for it here in summer, and though it has been better this damp summer, it didn't flower.
The Dianthus flourishes and probably sets seed. I've not noticed. I'll look for some. there are still flowers. They probably won'r come true though. How about some cuttings?
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Lesley, I have sent you a PM, did you get it? :)
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Yes I did Helen, thanks. Back to you shortly.