Bellflower: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you sow bellflowers under cover?
Check your bellflower's botanical name and the seed packet before sowing. The genus Campanula contains plants with different life cycles; sowing date, temperature and germination speed are not identical for every species. Many are sown under cover in spring, while others follow a different schedule. An unheated greenhouse alone does not guarantee a steady temperature.
Prepare clean seed trays or small pots with drainage holes and a fine, free-draining seed compost. Moisten before sowing. Distribute the tiny seeds thinly and press gently for good contact. For species whose instructions specify light for germination, leave seeds on the surface without burying them. Follow any particular covering instructions for your species.
Place the sowing in light at the recommended temperature, away from excessive heat behind glass. Keep the compost moist without soaking it. Water gently so the seeds do not move, and ventilate if you use a clear cover. Germination may take several weeks; watch for seedlings rather than relying on one guaranteed period.
Move seedlings into individual pots when they have several true leaves, preserving the roots. Let them become stronger in good light, then gradually acclimatise them before outdoor planting. Choose the final position and spacing according to species, hardiness and expected mature size. Keep the young plants protected from unsuitable cold conditions while they establish.
How do you sow bellflowers outdoors?
How do you plant bellflowers?
When do bellflowers flower?
