Try sowing one seed on surface of each cell, mist in and then cover with an empty cell try. Place in a cool dark spot for 7-10 days making sure to keep surface moist. You’ll get great germination. 😊 Bupleurum needs darkness and airflow to germinate so covering with soil will decrease germination.
Bupleurum Tips: Keep seeds in the freezer 1-2 weeks before sowing. Many of us with short springs won't have enough time for it to reach maturity because the heat comes in too soon. Sow in the FALL instead about 4-6 weeks before your FIRST frost. You can sow them in 128s or 72s keep moist and put dome on top and just leave the tray outside like that. Somewhere where you get morning sun, but afternoon shade and remove the dome on days above 50 degrees. Bupleurum seems to like big swings in temp to germ. Warm days and cold nights. They take about a month to germ so don't give up early and the seedlings are pitiful! It's easy to not even see the seedlings and sometimes people dump them out because they don't see them. As soon as I got those pitiful seedlings, I went out and planted them in my garden area. I'm in Zone 6b and I didn't even put them in the unheated tunnel this winter. They survived snow and everything this year! We usually don't get below 0 here and they were against the house so they did have some wind protection. Try these methods if you're having an issue.
I plant mine in soil blocks, stick them in the freezer (cold stratification) and once they are frozen I take them off the trays and put them in zip lock bags and stick them back in the freezer for two weeks. At the end of two weeks they come out of the zip locks and go back on the trays. I put them in a dark, cool room in my basement until they start to sprout and then put them under lights. I get around a 60% success rate.
If you're still having problems with bupleurum, watch Lisa Mason Ziegler's fairly recent Seed Talk #72 - Bupleurum Germination & Succession-Planting Tips. TL;DW: Don't cover the bupleurum seeds with soil! The cold concrete floor and cardboard covering are enough. It worked for me.
I did a germ test and only got about 40% - i planted the ones that germinated and sowed all my seed pretty thickly outside.. It's autumn here now and pretty cool so I'm gonna try to overwinter them and leave a couple to save the seed as well lol..
Well at least you got some. Seeds don’t need light unless it’s listed on the package. Remember that they are usually under soil (ie. in the dark). Unless the package specifies cool temp (below 60), a heat mat really helps germination. I point this out only because it can really be a space saver when you need to start many seeds but don’t have a lot of grow light space. Basically, they can go on a separate rack with mats, and the trays that have germinated can go under lights (one or their other not both).
Thanks SO much for the tips! I had same awful germination with same seed from J’s. I did not cover them putting them in the dark tho but will with next batch ☺️
I had pretty good luck with the baggy method. Stuck the seeds on a damp paper towel and put it in a drawer. When they germinated, I transferred them to 72 cell trays.
I use burpee coconut coir seed starting mix this year. I really don’t like it. My seedling just start to die for no reason. Glad I only buy a bag and I transplant and save a lot seedlings.
I had the same problem with that mix and bought pro mix and it’s been great. I’m so happy to see this post because I am just getting ready to start mine! I’ll try direct sowing too.
I followed the dark, cool method, and nothing was germinating. I know these are cool flowers, but I had 100% germination when I set them on a heat mat! After a couple of weeks in darkness, nothing; one day on the heat mat success!?
Isn't is great to be apart of a youtube community of gardeners! It opens up such a wonderful network of experience and tips :)
Yes it does!
I love that you improvise and are so completely real 😊
Ha thanks!
Try sowing one seed on surface of each cell, mist in and then cover with an empty cell try. Place in a cool dark spot for 7-10 days making sure to keep surface moist. You’ll get great germination. 😊 Bupleurum needs darkness and airflow to germinate so covering with soil will decrease germination.
Thanks Jessica, I'm going to try this tomorrow 😹
..so if they need airflow, how does that happen if you cover it? Kind of conflicting info.
@@cyhomer. Ikr. Anyway, it does work after putting seeds in fridge.
Bupleurum Tips: Keep seeds in the freezer 1-2 weeks before sowing. Many of us with short springs won't have enough time for it to reach maturity because the heat comes in too soon. Sow in the FALL instead about 4-6 weeks before your FIRST frost. You can sow them in 128s or 72s keep moist and put dome on top and just leave the tray outside like that. Somewhere where you get morning sun, but afternoon shade and remove the dome on days above 50 degrees. Bupleurum seems to like big swings in temp to germ. Warm days and cold nights. They take about a month to germ so don't give up early and the seedlings are pitiful! It's easy to not even see the seedlings and sometimes people dump them out because they don't see them. As soon as I got those pitiful seedlings, I went out and planted them in my garden area. I'm in Zone 6b and I didn't even put them in the unheated tunnel this winter. They survived snow and everything this year! We usually don't get below 0 here and they were against the house so they did have some wind protection. Try these methods if you're having an issue.
Great tips thanks! I forgot to mention that I did keep seeds in the freezer. Thank you for posting that!
I plant mine in soil blocks, stick them in the freezer (cold stratification) and once they are frozen I take them off the trays and put them in zip lock bags and stick them back in the freezer for two weeks. At the end of two weeks they come out of the zip locks and go back on the trays. I put them in a dark, cool room in my basement until they start to sprout and then put them under lights. I get around a 60% success rate.
I'm in 7b. I tried those in milk jugs. They did great! I love this idea too. I might try it! Thanks for sharing.
Good idea!
Very timely advice, thank you! I was just downstairs in my grow room where only 3 of 40 came up. I'll replant using this method.
If you're still having problems with bupleurum, watch Lisa Mason Ziegler's fairly recent Seed Talk #72 - Bupleurum Germination & Succession-Planting Tips. TL;DW: Don't cover the bupleurum seeds with soil! The cold concrete floor and cardboard covering are enough. It worked for me.
You have 11 to start and more starting up great. Good luck! 👍🍀
I felt like I had failed, but eventually I had fair germination. I think I put them on my floor, also, and that extra cold probably helped.
You had better success than I did! I didn't get a single sprout!
Yep. Same here.
I did a germ test and only got about 40% - i planted the ones that germinated and sowed all my seed pretty thickly outside.. It's autumn here now and pretty cool so I'm gonna try to overwinter them and leave a couple to save the seed as well lol..
I would love an update on how you are sowing bluplurm this year.
Well at least you got some. Seeds don’t need light unless it’s listed on the package. Remember that they are usually under soil (ie. in the dark). Unless the package specifies cool temp (below 60), a heat mat really helps germination. I point this out only because it can really be a space saver when you need to start many seeds but don’t have a lot of grow light space. Basically, they can go on a separate rack with mats, and the trays that have germinated can go under lights (one or their other not both).
Thanks SO much for the tips! I had same awful germination with same seed from J’s. I did not cover them putting them in the dark tho but will with next batch ☺️
Good luck! My Johnny’s packet says 67% germ rate. Maybe that’s part of it!
Even though they weren't on a heat mat, I wonder if the lights on the humidity dome created higher temps under the dome than the temp of the room.
I had pretty good luck with the baggy method. Stuck the seeds on a damp paper towel and put it in a drawer. When they germinated, I transferred them to 72 cell trays.
Good to know - thanks!
I use burpee coconut coir seed starting mix this year. I really don’t like it. My seedling just start to die for no reason. Glad I only buy a bag and I transplant and save a lot seedlings.
Oh I’m sorry to hear that! I’ve had great luck with it for 2 years.
I agree. Dries out way too fast. I’ll use it to mix with other seed starting mix but won’t use again alone.
I had the same problem with that mix and bought pro mix and it’s been great. I’m so happy to see this post because I am just getting ready to start mine! I’ll try direct sowing too.
i want to winter doe
Russia, siberia 👍
Just curious as to why you didn’t take the soil along with those Seedlings. Thanks for sharing!
I resowed seeds In that same tray
I followed the dark, cool method, and nothing was germinating. I know these are cool flowers, but I had 100% germination when I set them on a heat mat! After a couple of weeks in darkness, nothing; one day on the heat mat success!?
Crazy!
Did you put them in the freezer or fridge before you put them on the heat mat?