I absolutely love this plant. It flowered by accident in my gravel and the bees go mad for it. First time I’ve seen a honey bee on a flower in my garden I usually have bumbles
I have only just tryed growing one in the garden. Bought it roughly the size you have at the end of the video. It’s been a couple years. This summer it grew large, waist height. No flowers. Was hoping to see some next year. But looks like it’s suddenly dying, don’t know why? I water it when we have long periods of no rain. Will it come back next year or is that it?
Ooh, FurHorror! No, it doesn't sound good. It should be looking at its best going into the autumn. The most common cause of plant death through care is overwatering. This Echium is native to the canary islands, which can be quite arid and has evolved to cope with a certain amount of drought. Too much water can easily damage the roots, I'm afraid. Kind regards Simon
You can certainly try it if you want. However, these plants are notorious for not transplanting well, while the method shown in the video has 100% success rate. Let me know how you get on. Kind regards, Simon
Hi Gav, that would be late spring to early summer. That way, you avoid late frosts, but have most of the growing season to establish your plants before overwintering. I think I did mine around May/June. Simon
@@walkingtalkinggardeners I have heard of people sewing these types of echium in late autumn. In a glass house. In readiness for the next growing season. Which is why I asked. I will go with your method! Cheers
You could do it that way to get an earlier germination. However, it is easy to lose that advantage if you are not spot on with potting on, feeding, and watering. For me, it would be a case of the greenhouse being full of overwintering plants that I wouldn't have room for the seed trays.
@@walkingtalkinggardeners yeah good call. I have a number of tender plants to over winter. This year is the first year of having a greenhouse. Iv gardened for years without one so now the routine has changed
Thank you so much for the tips! These are my dream plants. Now to just find viable seed. Does anyone know a reliable seller in the US? If anyone wants to trade, I have many special things, like double purple Datura & scarlet red Brugmansia, etc.
I absolutely love this plant. It flowered by accident in my gravel and the bees go mad for it. First time I’ve seen a honey bee on a flower in my garden I usually have bumbles
Hi DD, you know I picked up one plant about 12 years ago and never needed to buy one again. The seeds come up regularly every single year. Simon
Just dug up a few hundred seedings of echiums before the frost gets them...
I love echiums
Good timing, I am a big fan too. Simon
Great advice thanks
You are very welcome, and thanks for your comment. Kind regards, Simon
I'm going to try and grow these next year
Good for you Tom, I hope you get as much enjoyment out of them as I do. Kind regards Simon
I have only just tryed growing one in the garden. Bought it roughly the size you have at the end of the video. It’s been a couple years. This summer it grew large, waist height. No flowers. Was hoping to see some next year. But looks like it’s suddenly dying, don’t know why? I water it when we have long periods of no rain. Will it come back next year or is that it?
Ooh, FurHorror! No, it doesn't sound good. It should be looking at its best going into the autumn. The most common cause of plant death through care is overwatering. This Echium is native to the canary islands, which can be quite arid and has evolved to cope with a certain amount of drought. Too much water can easily damage the roots, I'm afraid. Kind regards Simon
Is it easier to divide and pot when they are a week old to avoid cutting leaves or
You can certainly try it if you want. However, these plants are notorious for not transplanting well, while the method shown in the video has 100% success rate. Let me know how you get on. Kind regards, Simon
What time of year would you sew seeds ?
Hi Gav, that would be late spring to early summer. That way, you avoid late frosts, but have most of the growing season to establish your plants before overwintering. I think I did mine around May/June. Simon
@@walkingtalkinggardeners I have heard of people sewing these types of echium in late autumn. In a glass house. In readiness for the next growing season. Which is why I asked. I will go with your method! Cheers
You could do it that way to get an earlier germination. However, it is easy to lose that advantage if you are not spot on with potting on, feeding, and watering. For me, it would be a case of the greenhouse being full of overwintering plants that I wouldn't have room for the seed trays.
@@walkingtalkinggardeners yeah good call. I have a number of tender plants to over winter. This year is the first year of having a greenhouse. Iv gardened for years without one so now the routine has changed
Do they need to be fertilized ?
Certainly during the growing season I would give then a high nitrogen feed such as miracle grow every couple of weeks. Kind regards Simon
Thank you so much for the tips! These are my dream plants. Now to just find viable seed. Does anyone know a reliable seller in the US? If anyone wants to trade, I have many special things, like double purple Datura & scarlet red Brugmansia, etc.
You are very welcome grrrnthumb, and good luck with your seed search. Kind regards Simon
Try Annie's Annuals online