Xela's Garden

Lupin Russell Strain

Species: Lupinus.

Seed sown 16.02.09
12.04.11
Bought in ? at ?Woolworths? for ? a pkt of approx 100 seeds

A superb plant with lovely ornamental foliage and long stems of small flowers during the early summer months. Ideal border plants

* Early summer flower (May -July)
* Easy from seed

Height: 120cm / 4ft

Colour: Mixed

Sowing distance: 60cm / 24in

Sowing Indoors [Feb-July]:
Almost fill a seed tray with moist seed compost. Sow seeds thinly over the surface, and lightly cover them with a little more compost. Place in warmth 10-15C (50-60F), and keep moist.

Growing on / thinning:
Keep seedlings in a light position, but shade from bright sun. When large enough to handle, transplant 5cm (2in) apart into trays of potting compost or individually into 8cm (3in) pots of potting compost.

Hardening off / planting:
Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions for 2-3 weeks before planting out when danger of frost has passed. Allow 60cm (24in) between plants.

Special note:
Suitable for cottage gardens. WARNING: Harmful if eaten
[Source: www.unwins.co.uk/lupin-russell-mixed-seeds-pid1011.html ]

* Plant when young - so that they can put down a good root system - in an open position away from trees.

* Never divide in autumn.

* Lupins are not great fans of chalk. However they managed to grow plants in the limestone soil of the Cotswolds and they flower well.

* They prefer well-drained soil which isn’t too rich.

* Lupins do not take too kindly to being chopped back hard after flowering - they take months to recover.

* If you have a good plant, don’t let it produce lots of seeds. Keep the vigour in the parent plant and deadhead as the flowers fade.

Propagating:
* take basal cuttings in March and April and these will root easily in a 50% mixture of sharp sand and compost.
* Plants can also be divided in the spring - but NEVER in the autumn. Autumn division will kill them.

Grow with:
* Lupins are useful in the garden as they emerge and flower early, hiding daffodil foliage. Once they have finished they can look ragged, but hostas, delphiniums and peonies hide their foliage well.

* Deep-blue lupins flatter darker peonies and apricot lupins look stunning used with blue hardy geraniums and campanulas.

Growing from seed:
Sow straight from the plant using a loam-based compost. Prick out into individual pots when seedlings have true leaves. Old seed can be pre-soaked for 24 hours.

Problems and diseases:
* Giant lupin aphids, which are specific to lupins, can spread viruses and debilitate the plant in early May. Moving the plant to a new site in spring is a good idea.
* Slugs damage new shoots.
[Source: www.saga.co.uk/homeandlifestyle/gardening/plant-portrait/lupins.asp ]

Photos of this plant

Reminders for this plant

Due about 15 years ago:

Check

for germination

Prick out

when they are large enough to handle prick out 5 cm apart into trays and grow on.

Due almost 15 years ago:

Plant out

in flowering position about 18" apart.

Due about 13 years ago:

Check

for germination

Prick out

into individual pots when seedlings have true leaves.

Transplant

When large enough to handle, transplant 5cm (2in) apart into trays of potting compost or individually into 8cm (3in) pots of potting compost.

Harden off

Gradually accustom plants to outside conditions for 2-3 weeks before planting out when danger of frost has passed.

Due almost 13 years ago:

Plant out

Allow 60cm (24in) between plants.

Due about 12 years ago:

Take cuttings / divide

take basal cuttings in March and April and these will root easily in a 50% mixture of sharp sand and compost.
* Plants can also be divided in the spring - but NEVER in the autumn. Autumn division will kill them.

Due about 11 years ago:

Take cuttings