Tropaeolum azureum

[Lars S]

I got seeds of this species from the seed exchange and after having read that it can be quite difficult to germinate I didn´t have much hope of a result this year. Consequently, I was very surprised to see that almost all seeds had germinated in my fridge after just 3 weeks. I had put the seeds in a moist paper towel of the sort that I normally use to wipe the kids when they have had ice-cream for dinner...   

I suppose that I should sow the seeds in pots now and I wonder if I need to plant them in some special kind of soil and also if they should be planted a bit down in the pot like is recommended for crocus and narcissus ? I suppose that the pots need to be kept at least frost free after planting ?

Thank´s


Lars

Stockholm (where we have had a very mild winter so far.)

[Maggi Young]

Hello, Lars!
I think if you make a search for Tropaeolum azureum in both this forum and the old, archived version...
http://www.srgc.org.uk/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi
and also in Ian Young's Bulb Log  http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/bulblog.html... there is a full index, to search for the Bulb Log, also....http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/index.pdf  (says 2004 to 2007 but it is really 2003-2007).... then you will find quite a lot about Tropaeolum azureum amd how it likes to grow.
You will see the recipe for bulb growing compost that Ian Young uses for it... it is the same as he uses for all his bulbs!
 Hope this helps.

[Maggi Young]

Here, for instance, are the Bulb log references :
Tropaeolum
azureum 20/03 45/03 21/05 10/06 21/
06 23/06 45/06 1/07
seedlings 1/06
corms 26/05 27/06
tuber 34/07

[Lars S]

Thank´s ever so much Maggi, I should have thought of looking in the Bulb log myself really. I´ll remember to look properly for the next time.

Good night

Lars

[Maggi Young]

You're welcome, Lars. Always a good bet to have a look at the Bulb Log for anything like a bulb!! And iti s amazing whata search on Old and New Forum searches brings up, too.