Bee Balm seed

**AtlantaMarie** 8/15/2015, 1:25 pm

Does bee balm have seeds? Anyone know what they look like?

I'm getting ready to pull my current bee balm & want to know before I toss it all on the compost pile & REALLY get a mess... Laughing

Thanks.

CapeCoddess 8/15/2015, 1:29 pm

I just asked about bee balm in the New England thread. I need to know if they will come back next year if I dead head them, or do I need to leave the seed heads.

And yes Marie, those are seeds heads, so you're question is a good one and I'll be watching for the answer for also.

CC

**camprn** 8/15/2015, 8:34 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:I just asked about bee balm in the New England thread. I need to know if they will come back next year if I dead head them, or do I need to leave the seed heads.

And yes Marie, those are seeds heads, so you're question is a good one and I'll be watching for the answer for also.

CC

I answered in the NE thread. Bee balm is perennial and will come back from roots. It is a common thing, as it is for the phlox, to get the mold, no worries.

**Scorpio Rising** 8/15/2015, 9:09 pm

Yes, don't pull it, cut it back or leave for winter and cut back in spring. Perennial, will spread nicely from the root base over time.

**AtlantaMarie** 8/16/2015, 9:21 am

Thanks, Camprn. I looked at your comments. Good to know.

Didn't have any PM problems w/ it, thankfully. And, like Donna, had one a DARK purple and then a lighter pink, even though they came from the same cell pack.

So, just to make sure I understand - the light-as-air brown, prickly things ARE seeds, but they will grow via underground roots like mint? Is this correct?

Thanks...

CapeCoddess 8/16/2015, 9:41 am

But Marie and I would also like to know that if we deadhead and add the heads to our compost pile will we have problems next year with volunteers? Especially where I don't have much of a hot pile anymore. Are the seeds far enough along to germinate if they aren't falling out yet?

mollyhespra 8/16/2015, 10:39 am

CapeCoddess wrote:But Marie and I would also like to know that if we deadhead and add the heads to our compost pile will we have problems next year with volunteers? Especially where I don't have much of a hot pile anymore. Are the seeds far enough along to germinate if they aren't falling out yet?

I think that monarda is part of the mint family right? As such, I'd be wary of adding seeds to the compost pile, especially if it's not a particularly hot one. I have mine contained in a sunken 5 gallon bucket specifically because I don't want it to take over the bed that it has to share with other plants. I started with a couple of small plants that were given to me by a friend from her garden last spring. Hers had spread over a large area and she warned me that they like to take over. They grew a little bit last year but nothing to write home about. This year they've just exploded. I figure I'll need to do some serious thinning next spring. Let me see if I can figure out how to upload a picture from my phone.

**Scorpio Rising** 8/16/2015, 10:43 am

I have composted the deadheads and never had a problem with volunteers, and I have a regular compost pile out in the yard, not a bin or anything hot or fancy.

Monarda are related to mints, but are not invasive at all, I have never had problems with them taking over. They do fill in from their roots.

Marc Iverson 8/16/2015, 7:00 pm

There are some types of them that are not invasive, but they are classified as an invasive species here in Oregon.

**Scorpio Rising** 8/16/2015, 10:04 pm

Marc Iverson wrote:There are some types of them that are not invasive, but they are classified as an invasive species here in Oregon.

I had no idea! Interesting.

countrynaturals 3/2/2017, 12:47 pm

I have never been successful growing bee balm, but this year I planted seeds from Atlanta Marie and one little guy finally sprouted. cheers

Last night I transplanted her from Jiffy Pellet to peat pot. If she makes it, she will have a forever home in Katie's butterfly garden, where bees and hummingbirds are welcome visitors.
Bee Balm seed Bee-ba10

**sanderson** 3/3/2017, 2:40 am

Nice! I've never had one even sprout!!

countrynaturals 3/3/2017, 9:54 am

sanderson wrote:Nice! I've never had one even sprout!!

This was my first. I've tried and failed before, but this time I just might make it. Fingers crossed. Only one day of sunshine forecast in the next 10, so indoor gardening is a real challenge. I spend half my time rearranging little pots under the lights. WHERE IS SPRING? Shocked

Ginger Blue 3/4/2017, 4:38 am

Now THAT is a beautiful little seedling! I love you

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