I’ve been really pleased with the Didiscus ‘Lacy’ trials I did this year. This is a very beautiful plant…tres sophisicated. As you can see each umbel shaped head is made up of thousands of tiny flowers. The plant itself will grow up to a very reasonable 70 cm.
As cut flowers they last well over a week. (Don’t forget to change the water every day in your vase to massively prolong the life of the flowers.)
How to grow Didiscus from seed.
*I find it best to start them off in pots on a windowsill or in a greenhouse.
*Sow them to about their own depth into good quality seed compost and keep the pots moist but not waterlogged.
*I sow mine at the beginning of April (I sow most things then) and after 6 weeks I put them outside if there is no frost predicted.
*Keep them well watered as they are becoming established.
*Give them about a foot and a half space between each plant.
*Mine haven’t needed support but some folk use pea sticks for the plant to get some support from… (Slackers)
*They will flower in July and August. (12 – 14 weeks from sowing)
*Deadhead the flowers to keep it producing more.
To buy my super lovely seeds…click: Didiscus ‘Lacy’ seeds to view them in the Higgledy Shop.
Didiscus goes well in the vase with Cosmos ‘Pied Piper’ &/or Eschscholzia, ‘Orange King’.
Kind regards
Benjamin Higgledy
October 13, 2014 @ 12:03 pm
Thank you so much for the seeds (beautifully packaged and the extra packet of phacelia will come in handy) – i’m looking forward to seeing some lovely Didiscus next year!
May 16, 2013 @ 5:46 pm
Hi, I sowed mine about two weeks ago in the small trays that came with my electric propagator. I put them in the prop in the bedroom by a windowsill and only one seed germinated – the second tray has turned out to be something completely different….mistake:( I discovered that the second tray had gone in the unheated greenhouse and had about four sprouts in it (Didiscus sprouts that is). I’ve repotted them today and the ones in the greenhouse are much better than the one that has been mollycoddled – much longer roots etc. This is something to watch as I ripped the roots off the first one I tried to take it out. Next time I shall do as Mr Higgledy advises and put them straight into a pot – much easier.
April 12, 2013 @ 1:34 pm
Hi Ben
How long should i allow for germination. worried that the compost may have been too wet. any advice welcome.
sophie
April 12, 2013 @ 2:25 pm
generally 10-14 days should see them germinate…I have some JUST showing that a sowed a week ago…but yes….waterlogged and cold compost is not what they are after…damp and warm is the key. Are yours inside or in a greenhouse? When did you sow them?