Growing Tips
Start soaking the seeds before planting. For husky plants, start seeds in January to transplant outdoors as soon as the ground is workable. Since seeds are very hard, soak them overnight or cut a small nick in the seed coat prior to planting. Germination takes 15 to 25 days at 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The primary requirement is to plant early enough to complete flowering before the excessive heat of early summer. When planting too early the cold affects the seed. Plant in early to mid-April in a depth of 3/4 – 1-3/4". Naturalized lupines prefer deeper depths. The tallest varieties should be planted in areas protected from high winds, or staked to prevent toppling. Plant largest varieties 12 - 15" apart; shorter ones in a 3 - 5" spacing. Plant them in groups of at least three. Use them at the ends or centers of plantings in front of lower-growing varieties. The so-called perennial lupines grow best in areas with cool summers and mild winters. Elsewhere, they are best treated as annuals, planted into the ground in spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Foliage will remain lush for a slightly longer time after blooming if kept moist but it will die back by midsummer Deadhead for smaller second bloom.
Plant the seeds in sandy soil with little nutrition in a sunny spot where they won't be disturbed. Lupine is adapted to well-drained, sandy, coarsely textured, neutral to acidic soils. Use fertilzer lightly and only in the early spring. Remember to keep the soil moist.
Lupine is a poor competitor with weeds, and is slow to develop a full canopy. For this reason effective weed control is essential for success with this crop. A particular problem at many locations is late-germinating annual broadleafs, such as lambsquarters, pigweed and ragweed; fields with excessive populations of these weeds should be avoided. Select fields free of perennial weeds like quackgrass, milkweed, bindweed, Canada thistle, etc. Avoid fields with atrazine residues and high levels of annual weed seed buildup in the soil. Early planting will give the crop a headstart on many weeds.
Lupines are aphid magnets! Aphids are fat little insects with a silvery-gray or green coloring that pierce plant cells, siphon juices and, in the process, may inject some awful virus which can turn your treasured lupine into a gnarled, twisted mess. Aphids must be attacked with speed and vigor by Immediately blasting them off with a stiff spray from your garden hose. Follow up with a thorough dusting of Rotenone, Pyrethrum or coarse spray of Safer's Soap—three relatively effective and safe insecticides.
All varieties of lupines are susceptible to root rots caused by Rhizoctonia and Fusarium fungi. Phytophthora and Pythium have been a problem under certain conditions. Ascochyta and Botrytis stem canker have also been reported. To learn more visit http://lupins-bk.blogspot.com/2006/07/diseases-and-pests.html.
