Alyssum Seeds Started

OhioGardener 4/18/2020, 10:16 am

Today I started a tray of Alyssum seeds under the lights, and on a heat pad. They should be ready to transplant in the beds at the same time as the tomatoes go in. Then they'll be ready to bloom in time to attract the Aphid Wasps to the garden.

has55 4/18/2020, 7:52 pm

OhioGardener wrote:Today I started a tray of Alyssum seeds under the lights, and on a heat pad. They should be ready to transplant in the beds at the same time as the tomatoes go in. Then they'll be ready to bloom in time to attract the Aphid Wasps to the garden.

how well does that work? will they grow in texas?

OhioGardener 4/18/2020, 8:27 pm

Yes, it works very well. I have used them for years to attract the beneficial insects to the gardens. They not only are beneficial for providing nectar to the very small wasps, but they add a lot of beauty to the raised beds by drooping over the sides of the beds.

Don't know how well they would do in the heat of Texas, but they are annuals so they should do well as long as they get the water they need.

OhioGardener 5/2/2020, 6:59 pm

The Alyssum seedlings I started back on April 18th are still in their starting pots, but they are already starting to bloom. They should be going out in the beds next week. I have 18 pots of them, and there will be a few planted on the edge of each raised bed for the beneficial wasps.

**trolleydriver** 5/3/2020, 7:48 am

The alyssum look great. My wife liked to plant it along the edges of our front borders next to the walkway. I usually start some indoors but didn't do it this year.

lvanderb 5/3/2020, 10:42 am

I didn't realize how good for the garden alyssum is! Along with a lot of other "flowers" I'm sure. I'll see if I can find some alyssum at a local nursery for curbside pickup...

Linda

OhioGardener 5/3/2020, 10:54 am

Yes, Linda, flowers are important in the vegetable garden to bring in the pollinators that the vegetables need. Alyssum have the very small flowers that the tiny beneficial wasps need for nectar - they can't use bigger flowers like the marigold or nasturtium. Another plant that is good for attracting the beneficial wasps is the Red Ice Succulent, but it is a perennial and has to be planted where it won't be disturbed while working the vegetable gardens.

This is some of Red Ice Succulent planted on the edge of the herb garden. It blooms all summer long, as long as it doesn't get too much water.

OhioGardener 5/3/2020, 11:03 am

trolleydriver wrote:The alyssum look great. My wife liked to plant it along the edges of our front borders next to the walkway. I usually start some indoors but didn't do it this year.

It is not too late, TD, they are fast growers. If you have some seeds, throw them on the soil in a few pots and water them. They'll take off in no time! Very Happy

**trolleydriver** 5/3/2020, 2:24 pm

OhioGardener wrote:
trolleydriver wrote:The alyssum look great. My wife liked to plant it along the edges of our front borders next to the walkway. I usually start some indoors but didn't do it this year.

It is not too late, TD, they are fast growers. If you have some seeds, throw them on the soil in a few pots and water them. They'll take off in no time!

Thanks, I will do that if I still have seeds.

lvanderb 5/5/2020, 5:50 am

Well, I went to the Zehrs garden center and to my amazement I found some ice succulent plants, I also ordered some alyssum for curbside pickup. Interesting to see how the different nurseries handle the current situation. I'll have to get some alyssum seeds sometime.

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