Lupins - any tips?

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by Fat Controller, May 28, 2013.

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  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    On a whim on Friday, I bought a packet of Lupin seeds (Russell Mixed), with a view to sowing them and planting them out this year, so that they will flower next year onwards.

    I believe that lupins aren't the easiest to grow, so was wondering if anyone had any tips or hints before I get started?
     
    Fat Controller, May 28, 2013
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  2. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

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    Lupin's are a piece of cake FC! Well they are when I grow them. :heehee: I grow mine in spring and they flower the same year. However, they are like petunia's, slow to get going, so I tend to start them off ahead of everything else. Mine are started in an electric propagator and potted in multi purpose compost.

    Once they are planted out they will die back for the winter and re-shoot next spring.
     
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    • mowgley

      mowgley Total Gardener

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      FC I don't think that they can be that hard, even i grow them :lunapic 130165696578242 5:
      They like we'll draining soil, not to much fertilizer and don't try to divide in autumn.
      Oh and if you are successful with them they self seed everywhere :snork:
       
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      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

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        My lupins are in a sandy soil and never fed, they're pretty tough. :)
         
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        • al n

          al n Total Gardener

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          Mine got eaten alive last year by green/white/black fly. Little bas.....! Not had any lupine since.
           
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        • rustyroots

          rustyroots Total Gardener

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          I've sown Lupins "Tuttie Fruttie" this year and out of 30 sown I have 28 plants that are now about 4 inches high they germinated within 10 days. Although I have had to move them into the new grow house as they were in the blow away and the roof has ripped and with today's persistent rain they have flooded. I have tried to dry them out as much as possible so I am now keeping my fingers crossed they are ok.

          Rusty
           
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          • Jenny namaste

            Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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            Aaaaww Rusty,
            sorry to read of their traumatic experiences. Is'nt this year a nightmare? I sure they will come through this OK though,
            Jenny
             
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          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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            Thanks all :)

            I'll try and get them sown tomorrow (if I can find space in the greenhouse!), and will of course post progress reports!

            I don't mind them self seeding - the more I have of them, the less annuals I will have to grow; the only problem of course will be the shortish flowering period.

            Rusty - if you can fit a greenhouse in, I would seriously recommend having one. The availability of light, as well more stable humidity seems to make a fair old difference.
             
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          • sumbody

            sumbody Gardener

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            I grow mine in pots because the snails love em

            S
             
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            • Fat Controller

              Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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              Snails partly caused the demise of one of my existing ones - the rootball is still in the ground, so it may come back next year, or might even spring some foliage this year, but I am not holding out much hope.
               
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            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              I seem to remember they dont move well, so once planted best left alone.

              I always found self seeded ones came out the same colour, usually a kind of blue/purple.
              Make sure you pot up some of the weaker seedlings, they are most likely to be the best colour combinations/ by -colours.
               
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              • AndrewBarratt

                AndrewBarratt Gardener

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                Hi, would it be too late for me to plant lupins this year, or should I leave it till next year
                 
                AndrewBarratt, May 29, 2013
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              • rustyroots

                rustyroots Total Gardener

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                Not really got room unless I give up the bottom lawn. That is why I built the grow house to fit the space I had. I might have to consider losing some of the bottom lawn for one though.

                Rusty
                 
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              • Fat Controller

                Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                I'm sowing mine to plant this year, but am not expecting them to flower until next year to be honest.

                It would probably be worth it if you could fit one in - its amazing how much growth improves compared with the blowaway
                 
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              • nFrost

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                Good luck FC, I sowed 150 and have 2 plants to speak of! You shouldn't have a problem with them with you having a greenhouse.
                 
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