Gaura

[jasmine]

Has anyone tried to grow Gaura The Bride from seed before? I ordered some off the internet but they didn't come with very good sowing instructions so I am making it up a bit as I go along. I love the plants although they don't do hugely well in my garden. I gave one to a friend a few years ago and hers flourishes although she would say herself that she isn't a gardener. Don't know where I am going wrong.
Anyway, I'm hoping for better luck with the seeds.

[ladygardener]

Hope someone can help Jasmine, I've never grown them myself.

[maggyd]

GAURA lindheimeri:

Hardy perennial: Native to the southern USA


The flower is white, flushed with pink. The plant grows to a height of 18-24" (46-61cm). It may be grown as a border plant and is useful as a cut flower. It requires a well-drained soil and sunny position.

Sow seeds March -April at a depth of 1/2 inch (1cm) in the flowering site. Germination takes 21-28 days.

When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 12 inches (30cm) apart.

The flowers bloom August September.



I hope this helps jasmine I have a handy book I bought from a charity shop in Hendley a couple of years ago its called Garden Flowers from Seed by Richard Gorer I paid about £2 for it and it does come in handy ;D good luck with them.

[jasmine]

I need a book like that Maggy - thanks for your help!
I sowed them on April 4th and put them in a plastic propagator on the spare bedroom window sill. Yesterday I spotted that 2 had germinated. Although I was making it up as I went along I pretty much did what your book suggests but I sowed them individually in fibre pots to save pricking out later. Now just got to take care of them!

[maggyd]

Thats a good idea jasmine, how may pots did you use though? Im very wastefull and sow them all then I end up either trying to prick them all out or throwing loads a way. I think most seeds are treat the same way except for the tiny ones that Im never sure wether to cover them with soil of not!! mid you Im talking of the past as Ive not done many for years as I have to drop everything and go away when his Marster says so.

[jasmine]

I do use quite a few fibre pots but I would say on the whole that only 1 out of 10 pots ever comes to nothing and those pots go on the compost heap so I don't feel too bad.
I always worry when we go away on holiday and I have to leave my seedlings and plants in someone elses care.

[maggyd]

I dont like asking the Family to come and water its bad enough the house plants without them having to go in the greenhouse! I have a timer on the hose pipe outside that \I can set for the pots.

[jasmine]

I've got 2 little gaura seedlings . They come through pink but quickly change to green.

[jennywren]

There are 19 books on eBay "Garden flowers from seed" - cheapest today is 99p

[jasmine]

Must have a look There are some fantastic book bargains on Ebay and Amazon where the postage is more than the book!

[maggyd]

That is the problem! the postage but have a look if the postage is a couple of pound its still a bargain at 99p when you think garden mags arent cheap these days are they? and youl get your use out of it over the years.

[jasmine]

I have 5 little gaura plants. Some of them are big enough to pot on but I think I iwll wait until there is more room in the mini greenhouse.

[maggyd]

I bet they would be alright outside in the tray jasmine! it does say to plant them in the garden doesnt it April so they must be alright in your pots.

[jasmine]

They're going out tomorrow Maggy - you are right - they will be fine outside - wonder how big they will get this year?