Growing Flowering Plants from Seed

by Laura
(Oklahoma City)

Ageratum

Twice I have attempted to grow Floss Flower from seed. Now this is the first year I've done this, so I have no experience. I also tried Marigolds and Columbine from seed. These have come up. I read that the Floss Flower likes heat, so I raised them up closer to the sunlamp and tried again. Still nothing. Help!

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Ageratum
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

I had to go and look up Floss Flower, I couldn't remember what it was! Ageratum houstonium goes by many names; flossflower, bluemink, blueweed, pussy foot or Mexican paintbrush. I've only ever known it by the botanical latin name!

Anyway, this is supposed to be easy to grow, so if it's not germinating, I don't think it's anything you did. If plants don't germinate, and they're supposed to be 'easy annuals' I would blame the age of the seed.

Maybe get another package of the seed, and check to see if there's a date on it. Reputable seed companies generally put the harvest date (or best before date) on the package. Old seed won't germinate as reliably as fresh seed.

You can even direct sow it into the garden if time is running out to seed it indoors.

Alternately, buy a few bedding plants. Ageratum is a familiar sight in garden centers, so it's not going to be hard to find.

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