Year in year out, every autumn it rewards us with generous sprays of flowers and consequently loads of seeds. Although the flowers in itself are rather nondescript, much like the blooms you see typical of other araliads and the related hedera (although if flowering en-masse they could look good), the abundance of seeds that follow are very impressive.
Now if only we are good at starting plants from seeds! Not that we are incapable, it's just we've both come to terms that we both actually prefer plants that are 'ready made' - if you may call it that rather than start small from seeds. We're impatient gardeners perhaps, hence a penchance for instant impact? True to some degree but issues with free time and adequate space also comes to play.
I have no doubt the seeds that it produces are viable. But as we haven't tried ourselves and yet want to encourage others who have this plant already to try growing it from seeds, it's best I quote a 'trust' head gardener that we had a chat with before who's had success with them...
I have yet to see any self seeders around the main plant but sown indoors they can come up like cress. Harvest when it looks ripe but before the first hard frosts arrive. Sow the tiny seeds in a very free draining seed potting mix of choice (pure vermiculite he uses) and leave it in a cold frame/unheated greenhouse/gently heated greenhouse (depending on your location) throughout winter. Lots will damp off but eventually you'll get a few to thrive.
Sounds a fine advice to me but I've heard other variations of this too with similar success. There are more ways to skin a cat as they say and seed growing gardeners are no exception to this saying.
With so many seeds perhaps we ought try this advice ourselves, at least once??
I'll think about it. Or perhaps just peruse the new catalogues that will go out early next year and check availability...
We join Loree of Danger Garden for the Favourite Plant of the Week meme!
Mark :-)
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| Schefflera aff. chapana |
I have no doubt the seeds that it produces are viable. But as we haven't tried ourselves and yet want to encourage others who have this plant already to try growing it from seeds, it's best I quote a 'trust' head gardener that we had a chat with before who's had success with them...
I have yet to see any self seeders around the main plant but sown indoors they can come up like cress. Harvest when it looks ripe but before the first hard frosts arrive. Sow the tiny seeds in a very free draining seed potting mix of choice (pure vermiculite he uses) and leave it in a cold frame/unheated greenhouse/gently heated greenhouse (depending on your location) throughout winter. Lots will damp off but eventually you'll get a few to thrive.
Sounds a fine advice to me but I've heard other variations of this too with similar success. There are more ways to skin a cat as they say and seed growing gardeners are no exception to this saying.
With so many seeds perhaps we ought try this advice ourselves, at least once??
I'll think about it. Or perhaps just peruse the new catalogues that will go out early next year and check availability...
We join Loree of Danger Garden for the Favourite Plant of the Week meme!
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Certainly a great plant, you must be tempted to try and germinate? I'm like you, starting things from seeds is very hit and miss, cuttings are more my thing although for Schefflera I'd certainly have a go.
ReplyDeleteCuttings is a good way of propping it too, the only thing is material can be limited by how big and branched the mum plant is. The temptation is there but...
DeleteYou are going to have to give it a go one of these days, just to say you have! Its a lovely plant.
ReplyDeleteWe ought to really, especially it's just there for the picking!
DeleteHow lovely the seeds are! How long do they persist on the plant?
ReplyDeleteThe seeds can stay there most of the winter and by spring only the bare branches will be left. Would have been better if they self seed, saves on the effort :)
DeleteThe seed pods are really cool looking on it. It would be worth trying a few and maybe have them for gifts to friends later.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Might just do that Cher!
DeleteAh the beauty of the Schefflera, especially nice cozied up to that palm. I doubt the international seed police are reading this so I feel safe in saying I passed on the seeds you gave me to a local nursery man, one who will have much better success (should there be success to have) than I would have. Also I love reading that you to prefer your plants "ready made"...I really wish I were seedier but I just don't have the patience, or the space.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Loree, keep us updated how that goes. I know you're a fellow ready made plant preference gardener :) I think its a great thing as it supports nurseries who produce wonderful garden plants for us plant lovers to enjoy.
DeleteA very impressive plant! I've developed more and more respect for what I think of as after-flower special effects.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Kris, sometimes what's left behind after the bloom can be pretty in its own right too :)
DeleteThis is a new plant for me - I'm just used to the Schefflera that is grown as a houseplant. I too rarely grow from seed - space is my problem. Years ago I used to grow most of my herbaceous from seed.
ReplyDeleteHi Rosie, its great that more and more Scheffleras are coming out now that are proving hardy in the UK, at least in the south anyway. And you're right, the association tends to be these plants are house plants so it makes it even enjoyable to see types now that can be grown out in the garden.
DeleteSeed starting is tempting. I do a bit of it just to get some unusual annuals in quantity. You guys have a perfect environment for giving it a try, but so much on your plate already that there is no shame in opting for 'ready-made'. I'm a firm believer in: if it ain't fun, don't do it.
ReplyDeleteYou got that spot on Ricki!
DeleteHi Mark, this is certainly a fertile schefflera! The dark seeds are beautiful! I am with you guys, growing plants from seeds is also not my cup of tea. It takes time, space, constant attention (not to much water, not to little) and patience. All that together is simply too much for me to come up with. There is only one exception: Sweet Peas. Even I can grow those ;-)!
ReplyDeleteChristina
Thanks Christina, you got it spot on too and we share exactly your sentiments as to why we prefer ready made plants. Plus it supports nurseries too :)
DeleteBut yes sweet peas is a good exception!
What a beauty. Anything with flowers at this time of year is precious. Maybe it will self seed and just get on with the business itself without too much human intervention :)
ReplyDeleteI wish it did Anna, and it would have been fun to weed out such exotic plant in the spring :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful plant! And it looks like the seeds are purple. Very pretty! I think I am going to join this group!
ReplyDelete