Growing Lupins from Seed Guide How To Guide & Tips?
A simple and honest way to plant lupin seeds from a brought packet or saved seed from the previous year.
How to grow lupin seeds from scratch – Growing lupins from seed
Many people will say scratching the surface of the seeds or dampen them overnight before planting will gain better results although in my case Ive not found this any better than keeping the soil moist until the young lupin seedlings appear.
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Checklist of things you will require for growing your own lupins
- Seed container or tray
- Cutting seed compost suitable for young lupin seeds (fine muli purpose is often good)
- plant labels and a marker
- Lupin seeds either collected from the year before or a new packet
Depending if you have more than one colour / variety to plant. Simply fill out a seed tray with fine cutting compost [ see photo ] and place one round lupin seed every 3 – 5 cm space.
Doing this will allow you to get a high yield of plants per lupin seed tray and allow for any bad seedlings to be taken out. In turn this will leave the good healthy strong ones ready to continue to grow.
Q. What depth do I need to plant my lupin seeds?
A. Ideally 8mm deep is good, then cover with a light covering of sieved seed and cutting compost. Firm the compost down lightly so the seed is in contact with the soil and water them well.
Now their an inch tall
Once your lupin plants are starting to show their first true leaves “these look like star shapes” then the new lupin plants are ready to pot on. Here are two photo examples of 1 inch wide pots used for potting on, this allows the roots to touch the sides of the pot and keep the plant more stable as it grows, not only that, its easier to keep an eye on the soil to stop it from drying out or becoming too wet which could damage your new plants.
Once they are approx 2 inches tall and have 2 true leaves they can be placed in their final position within the garden. Ideally from March time in the united kingdom as I have found they flower really well (Early June) each year.
A regular feed with a 7-7-7 feed really helps them bloom.
If you liked this post, or found the information useful… please do leave a comment in the box below.
CAN YOU PLANT LUPIN SEEDS SAME YEAR YOU REMOVE THEM FROM POD
Hi Peter,
Yes you can plant them in the same year, I do this often… however they will need to be protected over winter and they will then flower the following year. I have some seeds sown now, which I will cover over-winter and grow on next spring for them to flower in the summer. I find its a much better way to start Lupin seeds as they can get their core roots down now while the warmer weather & daylight is here making stronger plants.
Hi,
How deep in the soil should the seeds be planted ?
Hi Phillip,
Plant the lupin seeds around 8mm deep with a light covering of sieved (seed and cutting) compost on-top. Firm the soil down lightly so contact with the seed is made and water really well.
Do save this page, come back and keep me updated.
I have just sown my lupins in pots inside. Will they bloom this year? Kay
Hi Kay,
I shouldn’t see why they wouldn’t bloom this year, it maybe 2 months later (approx July) if they are kept in good growing conditions, potted on and placed outdoor once the last frost date has passed.
How many have you planted? Which variety?
Thanks
I have just popped the seeds in the ground and keeping my fingers crossed what do I do next please ?
Hi,
As they have been planted in the ground, ideally keep them well watered if the ground starts to dry out.
If its cooler at night or in the day, you can place a clear plastic cup, half cut old plastic bottle or similar over them to keep them warmer to help with quicker germination.
They should pop through within 2 weeks all being well.
Hope this helps, do keep us updated with your progress.
Thanks