How do I Grow Lobelia From Seed?

Lobelias are flowering plants that bloom June through October and thrive in wet areas, such as bogs, woodlands, shores and on the edges of ponds. Lobelia flowers range from blue to purple, and sometimes they sport a white stripe. They have five lobes that look like petals, two narrow ones and three wider. Lobelia oval leaves come with serrated edges in some species. These plants are native to northeastern North America and are propagated indoors from seed after a period of chilling.

Black plastic bag
Soil
Seed tray
Vermiculite
Tray
Plastic film

Instructions

- 1
  Add a small amount of potting soil to a small black plastic bag in fall. Moisten the soil without making it soggy.
- 2
  Place the lobelia seeds in the bag with the soil. Put the bag in the refrigerator for three months.
- 3
  Fill a seed tray that has drainage holes with vermiculite.
- 4
  Remove the lobelia seeds from the refrigerator and sow them on the surface of the vermiculite. Place the seeded container in a tray of water. Let it sit until the vermiculite absorbs the water all the way to the surface. If necessary, refill the tray during this process.
- 5
  Cover the tray with clear plastic film to hold moisture and keep the temperature warm for the seeds. The ideal soil temperature for germination is 64 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If necessary, place the seed tray on a propagation pad. Germination takes about three weeks.
- 6
  Check the moisture level frequently. If the vermiculite begins to dry up, place the container in a tray of water. Irrigating from the bottom prevents rotting.
- 7
  Remove the plastic cover as soon as a lobelia seedling germinates.
- 8
  Transplant the lobelia seedlings outside about two weeks after the last frost.

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