How do you grow lobelia cardinalis?
Lobelia cardinalis is easily grown in moist soils in full sun to partial shade. It has few pests and is not favored by deer or rabbits. Flower stalks may need to be staked depending on the exposure to strong winds.
Lobelia cardinalis
To start indoors, sow the seed 6-8 weeks before the last frost of spring and keep the soil lightly moist until germination. Transplant the seedlings as soon as they can safely be handled and there is no chance of frost. Growing: Keep seedings well watered and control weeds.
Lobelia seeds should germinate within 10 and 21 days. When the seedlings are large enough to handle transplant them into trays 5cm apart. Lobelia plants need to be acclimatised to outside condition before planting out (when all danger of frost has passed) at 15cm apart, in an open sunny position.
Lobelia seeds are very tiny, rather dust-like, but do not be scared, it is easy to sow and grow them. Actually one of the easiest annual flower and the rewards of the shiny flowers are really worth the try to grow these beauties in your garden.
Also, Lobelia cardinalis cannot be categorized as a fast-growing species, it grows at a rather slow to moderate rate; therefore, making it easy to care for in an aquarium.
It takes pruning well and grows at a slower rate compared to most stem plants. This makes it a very easy bush to control and shape. Its ability to form neat, dense bushes makes it ideal for foreground and midground placement even though it is a stem plant.
Cardinal climber is an annual propagated from seed. To enhance germination, scarify (nick with a knife or use sandpaper to abrade the hard exterior) the large seeds and/or soak them in warm water overnight before sowing. Seeds treated this way should germination in a week or two.
Propagation by seeds: The seeds will germinate without cold stratification, but they need light, so sow the seeds in a flat with a damp fine grade peat light mix. Keep the flats moist and under lights or in a greenhouse. They should green up in a few weeks.
Dig a hole twice the width of the plug and to a depth the same height as the plug. Mix compost with the soil until you have an equal mix of soil and compost. Place the flower upright in the middle of the hole, add the mix around its roots and tamp down around the flower. Space flowers 8 to 12 inches apart.
Do not cover, as lobelia needs light to germinate. Keep soil damp, we suggest a hand sprayer for ideal watering. Keep in a warm environment at a temperature of 15-20°C(60-68°F). Seedlings should appear within 7-14 days.
Do lobelia seeds need cold stratification?
Indoors: Cold, moist stratification. Start at least 5 weeks before outdoor night temperatures are reliably in the 10 C (50 F) range. Place seed on the surface of a slightly moistened, sterile, soil-less growing mix.
You can start the seed at any time. There is no need for moist stratification. The seed is tiny and needs light to germinate. Just sow thinly on the surface of any soil or seeding mix and give it light.
Seedlings emerge in about 20 days. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night.
Cardinals can also be grown in containers that are set in a tray of water on a patio or deck to bring the beauty of the flowers—and the hummingbirds—up close for enjoyment. The basal leaves should not be covered in winter.
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Perennial lobelia.
| Flowering season(s) | Summer, Autumn |
|---|---|
| Time to ultimate height | 4-6 months |
Cardinal flowers grow best in a location with morning sun and afternoon shade, except in cool areas where they need full sun. They need a moist, fertile soil and perform best if you work plenty of organic matter into the soil before planting. Set out new plants in spring, spacing them about a foot apart.
Cardinal flowers are marginal plants that can be planted in one to two inches of standing water or in consistently damp soil. In the wild, they are most often found along the banks of rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands where their roots can constantly access water.
Cardinal flowers are easy to grow in any moist area that receives full or partial sunlight. Because the cardinal flower is naturally found in wet areas, keeping the soil evenly moist is key to its health.
Germinating Cardinal Flower seeds is rather easy. Most sources suggest to winter-sow or Cold Stratify cardinal flower seed for up to 60 days. But I've found that without stratification the seeds will germinate within about 3 weeks.
| Plant Type: | Cultivated tender annual vine | Deep red |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Maturity: | 70 days | Morning glories, cypress vine |
| Spacing: | 6-12 inches | Flowering vines for arbors, trellises, and fences; hiding eyesores; ground cover |
| Planting Depth: | 1/4 inch (seeds) | Birds, butterflies, bees |
| Height: | 8-10 feet | Convolvulaceae |
How long does it take for Cardinal climbers to bloom?
The vines take about 12-14 weeks to reach blooming size, hence the early indoor sowing to get a jump. All morning glories are slow to germinate; don't be surprised if the seeds make you wait a week or even a couple.
How to Grow The Cardinal Climber Vine-Morning Glory - YouTube
Cardinal climber is an enthusiastic self-seeder, so keep your eyes open for small, round seed pods inside papery brown covers in late fall. Store the pods inside a clean, dry jar in a cool spot until you're ready to plant them.
If you're starting cardinal climbers indoors, start the seeds about four to six weeks before the last frost of the season. Once that last frost has passed and your garden's soil is warm to the touch, it's the time to transplant—or preferably, to sow the seeds directly.
The rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth equal to two or three times their width. It is better to plant seeds too shallow than too deep. Some seeds, such as certain Lettuces or Snapdragon, need light to germinate and should not be covered at all.
Leave a space of 30 cm or 12″ between plants. Seed spacing – Medium: Plant four plants or seeds per square foot, in two rows of two.
In general, seeds should be planted at a depth of two times the width, or diameter, of the seed. For example, if you have a seed that's about 1/16 inch thick, it should be planted about 1/8 inch deep. Large bean seeds, which can be up to 1/2 inch wide, may need to be planted an inch deep.
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Cardinal flower is a hardy evergreen perennial that, if planted in soil, should be just fine if left outside for the winter. Its flowers and stems will of course die off in the autumn, but evergreen basal rosettes will remain over the winter and should sprout new growth the following spring.
Allowing your cardinal flowers to reseed themselves is ideal. This ensures that they will continue to come back every year, full and beautiful. Dividing your plants every two to three years will also help prolong life and create more plants.
Do you cut back Lobelia cardinalis?
Yes. Cutting back lobelia plants improves their appearance and health. It also encourages the plant to produce more flowers over a longer period of time. The three types of pruning that benefit lobelia plants are removing spent flowers, pinching, and cutting back.
There are many types of Lobelia. Some are annuals and some are perennials and some are annuals only in northern climates. Annuals will usually self-seed and come back the next year, while perennials will re-sprout from the dormant plant in spring.
You can propagate the cardinal flower from seeds, divisions, and stem cuttings. Seeds usually ripen in the fall about seven weeks after forming. Harvest the brown seed capsules from the lower portions of the flowering stalk even when the flowers are still in bloom or bud farther up the stalk.
In general, the Cardinal Flower will live for 2-4 years, similar to Spotted Bee Balm. It is a short-lived perennial, and I generally start some new plants or direct sow each year to ensure I have some bloom. But in early Spring new seeds will germinate, and will stay very tiny until night-time temperatures warm up.
CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Lobelia cardinalis prospers in shaded to partly sunny exposures with moist humus rich soil. Plants tolerate sunny sites if sufficient moisture is present. The species adapts to sandy loam and gravelly or clay soil but will not tolerate drought.
The cardinal flower's tubular flowers are 2-lipped, with the three lobes of the lower lip appearing more prominent than the two lobes of the upper lip. This flower blooms from July to September, except when the fall is warm. It had a bright color of scarlet red.
Cardinal climber is an enthusiastic self-seeder, so keep your eyes open for small, round seed pods inside papery brown covers in late fall. Store the pods inside a clean, dry jar in a cool spot until you're ready to plant them.
Deadhead for a neat appearance, to encourage rebloom or prevent any undesired reseeding. Pinch back for bushier and more compact plants. Cut back after flowering. Divide plants every 2-3 years.
Propagation by seeds: The seeds will germinate without cold stratification, but they need light, so sow the seeds in a flat with a damp fine grade peat light mix. Keep the flats moist and under lights or in a greenhouse. They should green up in a few weeks.
Lobelia cardinalis can be grown in sun or, preferably, partial shade. It needs a good, fertile soil that remains moist during summer, and doesn't dry out. Lobelia tupa needs a sheltered position in full sun and a good, fertile, well-drained soil.
Can you grow Lobelia cardinalis in pots?
Annual lobelias look great in summer containers, particularly the trailing types, which look great spilling over the edge of a hanging basket. Growing in partial shade will ensure that the plants flower for longer, especially in a very hot summer. Lobelia cardinalis is best grown in sun or partial shade.
Seedlings emerge in about 20 days. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night.
| Plant Type: | Tender perennial grown as an annual | Blue, pink, purple, white/green |
|---|---|---|
| Growth Rate: | Moderate | Campanulaceae |
| Time to Maturity: | 12-16 weeks from sowing | Lobelia |
| Water Needs: | Moderate | erinus |
| Common Pests: | Corn earworm | Damping off |
Lobelia is an easy-to-grow, carefree plant that enjoys cool weather. This summertime bloomer will continue to produce flowers on up through the first frost. Growing lobelia is an asset to the garden.
