The pink-colored flower clusters tower above the sweeping foliage. They are of fabulous beauty and skilfully attract attention. Anyone who only owns one plant of Diptam would do well to multiply it. This is done with the seeds…

After flowering, the seeds of the diptam can be harvested

Do not harvest the seeds too late and use them as soon as possible

Depending on the region, the diptam blooms between May and June. Its seeds mature in late summer/early fall. If you don't want to buy them for sowing, but want to harvest them yourself, you should be quick! Once the star-shaped capsules have matured, they open up and eject their seeds. They are spread by the wind.

Collect the seeds as soon as the capsule fruits dry up and slowly open. It is best to use them fresh for sowing. The longer the seeds are stored, the more they lose their ability to germinate and the germination time lasts longer. So sow them right away in the fall!

Warning: cold germs!

Sowing is a bit more complicated than with other plants:

  • Seeds are cold germs
  • initially need a 4-week period in which they are exposed to warm temperatures
  • then they need a cold period of at least 2 weeks (0 to 4 °C)
  • to implement this, it is best to opt for direct sowing outdoors
  • if pre-cultivated: stratify in the refrigerator or on the balcony

Sow the seeds after stratification

Now the seeds can be sown. They are light germinators that should be covered either very shallowly or not at all with soil or sand. Keep the substrate moist. Now you have to wait about 6 months until the seeds germinate (optimal germination temperature: 8 to 12 °C). Patience and regular monitoring of the moisture content of the seed are required!

No-till or pre-culture?

In general, no-till is preferable. But let's be honest: You don't know whether the sowing will be successful. For better control, growing in pots is better. But even that has disadvantages. Among other things, the diptam does not tolerate later planting in a different location… Decide!

tips

Protect the young plants outdoors! They like to be eaten by snails.

Category:

Herbs