Unexpected find
>> Tuesday, March 26, 2013 –
seeds
Remember the other day when I received the surprise desert mallow plant from Jenny? Another plant I've been admiring in her garden is what I call Chocolate flower, and what she calls Chocolate daisy.
Both names refer to Berlandiera lyrata, a wonderful little perennial that smells of chocolate. I grew some from seed a few years ago and loved the scent every morning, but for some reason I stopped growing it. I've been looking for seeds this winter, as I want to add it to my garden again.
So I've been bugging Jenny, but her plant doesn't have any seeds on it right now. I've also been having trouble finding the seeds locally. Botanical Interests has them, but both local nurseries that carry that line didn't have the chocolate flower seeds, and I'm hesitant to pay $5 shipping on a $3.49 seed pack.
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| Jenny's Chocolate daisy. Photo © Jenny at Rock Rose http://wwwrockrose.blogspot.com/ |
As spring draws closer I feel the pressure to get seed started though; I almost broke down and ordered some of these this weekend.
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| Love this illustration on this empty seed packet. |
Luckily I spent some time going through my old seed stores instead and while looking for some other things I came across this bag of unlabeled seeds:
So unique! I thought I recognized them...
A quick Google search confirmed that my memory hasn't failed -- they're chocolate flower seeds!
I must have collected them from my plant a few years ago. Are they still viable?
One thing I remember about these: they take a long time to germinate.
Although this package says 5-10 days, some sources say 30-90 days. I remember that they weren't too easy to get going -- basil seeds they're not.
I planted some in a six-pack, and put several into a plastic bag with a moist paper towel -- they'll spend a little time in the refrigerator before I bring them out. I'm hoping that will help with germination. I kept a few seeds back, just in case.
Fingers crossed I'll have those cocoa-scented blooms on my deck again this year. What a happy find!
Have you been through your old seeds lately? Find anything exciting?
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Ha! I save seeds and think "I should really label those..." Good luck with your chocolate flower. Sounds delicious!
I'll be interested to know how germination goes because as I told you mine have made seed but never a one has self seeded in the garden where everything else does. I began to think I had a sterile plant. It stays very low but that maybe because it is in a tight spot. At the WFC they grow 3' tall. Good luck.
I hope they'll germinate for you. Sounds like a great plant to have. I'll look for it.
I've never had the chocolate flower reseed for me. Still have the one, lonely original plant that I've had for a few years. I moved it this year to a spot that gets full, all day sun, hoping that improves it's chances, but if it doesn't reseed for Jenny, then I fear my chances are nil. Good luck with your seeds!