How Do You Germinate False Indigo Seeds?

Soak seeds in water for 24 hours before planting. Sow seeds 1⁄4” deep in a very well-drained seed mix of 3 parts perlite to 1 part peat. Provide bottom heat at 75 ° F until plants emerge.

How long does it take for Baptisia seeds to germinate?

These seeds can be sown directly, planting them a quarter-inch (0.5 cm.) deep, and will usually germinate in about two weeks . If fresh seed is unavailable, how to plant Baptisia seed becomes a little more complicated. Hardened seeds should be chilled in the refrigerator for six to 12 weeks.

Can you grow false indigo from seed?

You can start Baptisia plants from seed , but they are slow to establish and it will probably be three years before you see flowers. Even a young false indigo plant will take at least two years to get established before you really start seeing it bloom. On the plus side, they are very long-lived.

Does false indigo self seed?

False indigo develops deep taproots, so site it in a spot for the long term. It self-seeds modestly , and it's safe to move seedlings when small. Grows up to 4 feet high and wide in Zones 3 to 9.

Can you grow false indigo in a container?

Baptisia are best produced in large containers (one gallon or larger) and should be planted even with the soil line of the plug it was previously produced in. Bareroot starting materials are also available and should be planted so the crown is slightly below the soil surface.

Is false indigo invasive?

False indigo-bush is a 6-10 ft., loose, airy shrub which often forms dense thickets. ... This shrub, which often forms thickets on riverbanks and islands, can be weedy or invasive in the northeast .

Is false indigo poisonous to dogs?

What is the longest blooming perennial?

• 1.) ‘ Moonbeam' Tickseed. (Coreopsis verticillata) ...
• 2.) Rozanne® Cranesbill. (Geranium) ...
• 3.) Russian Sage. (Perovskia atriplicifolia) ...
• 4.) ‘ Walker's Low' Catmint. (Nepeta x faassenii) ...
• 5.) Coneflowers. ...
• 6.) ‘ Goldsturm' Black-Eyed Susan. ...
• 7.) ‘ Autumn Joy' Stonecrop. ...
• 8.) ‘ Happy Returns' Daylily.

When should I start my indigo seeds?

Sow the seeds any time between early February and about mid-April . If you will be growing the indigo for dye and you want to keep the plant growing as a perennial, be sure to harvest only half of the leaves per season. The right time to harvest indigo leaves is just ahead of the flower's opening.

How fast does false indigo grow?

While False Indigo only takes about a year to reach its full height , plants started from seed do take three to four years to flower, however. After the spring late frost is the optimal time to transfer seedlings outside. False Indigo has an upright, shrubby form with trifoliate blue-green leaves and pea-like blossoms.

Is false indigo a perennial?

Blue False Indigo is a large bush-like perennial , with dense clusters of deep blue flowers on long upright spikes.

Is false indigo edible?

It is often cultivated as an ornamental plant. It has minor edible use and some additional uses including: Bedding; Dye; Insecticide; Oil; Repellent; Shelterbelt; and Soil stabilization.

Why does my false indigo not bloom?

The plant does not bloom well in acidic soils , so adding lime in those conditions can improve flowering. Keep well-watered until established, after which time it is drought tolerant. Overwatering may cause the stems to flop over.

How do you keep fake indigo from flopping?

Unfortunately, this unique feature is often missed because the weight of the seedpods causes the plant to flop. To rectify this issue, use peony cages to keep the stems supported and upright . Position the cage over the crown of the plant in early spring.

Is false indigo deer resistant?

Baptisia, also known as wild indigo or false indigo, is a fantastic group of plants that deserves greater garden use. Not only does the floral display rival the beauty of any other spring bloom, but the plants are deer-resistant and require almost no maintenance.

Do rabbits eat blue false indigo?

Rabbits have been known to eat young Baptisia plants .