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Gentiana saponaria Harvestbells (1 Page of 5) The Gentiana saponaria plant species is found in Eastern N. America - Ontario to Minnesota, Connecticut, Florida and Louisiana. It is a member of the Gentianaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Harvestbells. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Gentiana saponaria Common Name: Harvestbells Family: Gentianaceae Author: L. Known Hazards: None known Mature Height: 0.75 Mature Width: Habitat: Wet soils[235] in woodlands[200].
Propagation Notes: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[200]. The compost must be rich in organic matter and should not be allowed to become dry[239]. The seed can also be sown in late winter or early spring but the seed germinates best if given a period of cold stratification and quickly loses viability when stored, with older seed germinating slowly and erratically[200, 239]. It is advantageous to keep the seed at about 10°c for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture[239]. Following this with a period of at least 5 - 6 weeks with temperatures falling to between 0 and -5°c will usually produce reasonable germination[239]. It is best to use clay pots, since plastic ones do not drain so freely and the moister conditions encourage the growth of moss, which will prevent germination of the seed[239]. The seed should be surface-sown, or only covered with a very light dressing of compost. The seed requires dark for germination, so the pots should be covered with something like newspaper or be kept in the dark[239]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. The seedlings grow on very slowly, taking 2 - 7 years to reach flowering size[239]. When the plants are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.
Division in March[111]. Most members of this genus have either a single tap-root, or a compact root system united in a single root head, and are thus unsuitable for division[239].
Cuttings of basal shoots in late spring[238].
For further Gentiana saponaria gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

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