GROWING fROm seed

Hepatica seed is best collected when it is ripe, between four and six weeks after flowering, and sown immediately ‘in the green’. It is sown thinly, and covered with 5mm of horticultural grit The seed trays are watered well, then stood outdoors in a shady spot. The seed needs a period of cold to promote germination Seeds are planted in well-drained compost made up from two parts John Innes Seed Compost, one part multi-purpose compost or leaf mould, and one part Perlite They are covered with potting grit to deter moss Plants are protected from prolonged winter rain, but kept moist at all times Seeds usually germinate the following spring, approximately 10 months after sowing. Some Asian species can take two years to germinate Seedlings are left in their trays for the first summer, potting in early autumn with approximately 15 seedlings spaced evenly in a 5-pint (3-litre) plastic pot After a further year, they are potted separately is compressed very lightly with fingers