In the world of Ralph Lauren , all Pea - crime syndicate flora seedlings grow up to be lupine . Decked with tall , slender flower spikes in fashionable shadiness of purple , blue , magenta , lily-livered , pink and white , lupines add up haute - couture elan to saltation and summertime gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zona 3 through 8 , bet on variety .
Wildflower lupine species ( Lupinus spp . ) typicallystrugglein cultivation . Muchbetter choices for abode gardensin USDA zone 4 through 6 are theRussell intercrossed cultivars(Lupinus polyphyllus’Russell Hybrids ' ) .
Because * * lupines rarely survive more than four years , * * many gardeners compile and save the seed of their pet varieties for future planting . The key to success Trygve Halvden Lie in timing the harvest before the seedpod burst and vomit up their content to the winds .
Warning
All wild and some hybrid lupin come truthful from seed , meaning that the seedlings inherit all the characteristics of the parent plants . Other loanblend , however , often set seeds with traits from much earlier root . You may or may not like the plant they produce . Some lupine mintage have been classify asinvasivein different areas . Do n’t roll up and produce their seeds unless you ’re committed to containing their bed covering .
Things Needed
Seedpod Collection
A lupin ’s faded flowers give way tohairy , green cigar - shaped seedpods , each with several come . When the pod casings turngreyish greenand their dark - dark-brown seeded player are visible when held up to the light , it ’s sentence to harvest . If you ’re saving ejaculate from more than one lupin variety , label the bags .
Instead of collecting individual pods , cut the entire stalksfrom the flora and place them in closed newspaper publisher bags .
Tip
If you ca n’t check the pods regularly , wrap them in tulle or piece of cut - up panty hosepipe . When they burst open , the material pin down the seeds . To glean the stem turn , use sporting , sharp prow cutters disinfect in itch alcohol between cut so they do n’t spread disease .
Seed Storage
Place the udder in a ardent , dry areaand check them periodically . When the pods areblackand crack easy — usually within a month — remove the ripe seeds and put them inlabeled paper envelopesfor storage .
Putting a silica - gel or other desiccant bundle in each gasbag protect the seeds from moisture - associate mold .
Seal the envelopes in airtight jarsbefore storing them in a cool , dark place until you ’re quick to plant them . An unheated potting shed , garage or basement is a good option .
Lupine come turn back severaltoxic compound . They should be stored where children and pets are n’t likely to determine and live with them .
