Hellibore Propagation

[Lonnie]

My wife asked me to put this on, i'm more into growing vegetables, she has some Hellibore seeds, and would like to know if they are easy to grow, or if there;s anything special she should know about. Thanks.

[Clanad]

We've sown them here, Lonnie... they'll do best if sown in July or August in the larger size peat pots before trying to transplant them outside. The roots are very active and grow into quite a thick, large, root ball, so be sure the peat pots are large enough. Keep the soil in the pots warm and moist... never let them dry out. After separating the root ball and transplanting (in your case, next spring) they'll do well. We've been able to maintain them through our western U.S. winters with some mulching... I wouldn't think you'd have to do that in the UK. They don't do well in very sunny areas. They should be in partially shaded areas and they like a healthy dose of fertilizer throughout the growing season... Best of luck!

[Lonnie]

Thanks very much Clanad, i've passed your information on to her, and she's well chuffed.

By the way, I fully agree with your answer in P&P, on respect.

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Lonnie, I'm sure your wifes seeds will germinate with Clanads good advice but as a plan 'B' if you have some hellebores in the garden already, check under the plants themselves in the autumn, once they have finnished flowering and gone to seed, in my garden at any rate, I find lots of self seeded plants by lifting and looking undernieth. These can be potted up and grown on, in a shady place, they'r slow to establish but you should get some reasonable sized plants in about 2 years. All the Best.

[Clanad]

Good idea Thunderbird+, hadn't thought of that...

[Clanad]

By the way, thanks for the support, Lonnie...Shalom! Lehitraot raot...

[Lonnie]

Thanks Thunderbird+, i've passed on what you say as well, now i'll leave the rest to her.

[WendyS]

I've never sown Hellebore seeds from scratch but believe I once read that they germinate better if the seeds are first stored in the fridge for a couple of weeks. I bought one Hellbore plant from a garden centre years ago. Once it had established itself, flowered and seeded, I've found that every year they self-seed and I get dozens of small plants growing up around them. When you consider the cost of buying them, this is a very cheap way of increasing your plant stock.

[Lonnie]

Thanks a lot Wendy, i've passed that on as well.