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Alaska Gold Nasturtium Seeds

Tropaeolum nanum

  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: To soften the hard coating on these seeds, rub one side of each seed lightly with sandpaper and soak them in warm water overnight. Mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting. Sow the seed in early spring, planting just below the surface of the soil. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, which usually takes place within 7-14 days.

Growing: Water seedlings regularly until they become established. Though they flourish with occasional watering in especially dry weather, mature plants tolerate some drought in addition to growing in poor or sandy soil. Avoid fertilizing, since this tends to produce abundant foliage and few blooms. Deadhead to prolong blooming. This plant may self-seed, and attracts bees. It performs well as a container plant.

Harvesting: Though these blossoms do not last long as cut flowers, the entire plant is edible. Young leaves make excellent fresh greens, while the blossoms are often used as a garnish.

Seed Saving: After the flowers fade, the round seeds will develop in pairs in the dried flower head. Gather them as soon as they easily come loose from the stem. Spread the seed out to dry completely. Store the seed in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Tropaeolum nanum

Species Origin: Introduced US Flower

Type: Garden Flowers

Life Cycle: Annual, Tender Perennial

USDA Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

US Regions: California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast

Seeds per Ounce: 220

Stratification: No Stratification

Germination Ease: No Stratification

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Yellow

Bloom Season: Blooms Late Summer, Blooms Early Fall

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~25 Seeds) $3.48 Notify Me
1 Oz Mylar (~220 Seeds) $6.84 Notify Me
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $10.67 Notify Me
1 Lb Mylar (454g) $24.00 Notify Me
5 Lb Mylar (2.27kg) $108.00 Notify Me
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DESCRIPTION

Go for the gold with these rich yellow blooms, scattered among lovely variegated foliage. This easy-to-grow, compact annual also performs well as a container plant.
The common name "nasturtium" comes from the Latin words for "nose-twister," a humorous way of describing a common reaction the taste of the edible leaves. The entire plant has a history of being used for culinary purposes, since even the seeds can be pickled and make an acceptable substitute for capers. Though the first known botanical description of this species comes from the notes of Spanish botanist Nicolas Monardes, Carl Linnaeus gave the genus its name. He called it "Tropaeolum" in reference to an ancient Roman "tropaeum," a pole on which the bloody armor and shields of the defeated enemy were hung; the plant's bright blossoms reminded him of helmets, while the circular leaves looked similar to shields.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: To soften the hard coating on these seeds, rub one side of each seed lightly with sandpaper and soak them in warm water overnight. Mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30 days before planting. Sow the seed in early spring, planting just below the surface of the soil. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, which usually takes place within 7-14 days.

Growing: Water seedlings regularly until they become established. Though they flourish with occasional watering in especially dry weather, mature plants tolerate some drought in addition to growing in poor or sandy soil. Avoid fertilizing, since this tends to produce abundant foliage and few blooms. Deadhead to prolong blooming. This plant may self-seed, and attracts bees. It performs well as a container plant.

Harvesting: Though these blossoms do not last long as cut flowers, the entire plant is edible. Young leaves make excellent fresh greens, while the blossoms are often used as a garnish.

Seed Saving: After the flowers fade, the round seeds will develop in pairs in the dried flower head. Gather them as soon as they easily come loose from the stem. Spread the seed out to dry completely. Store the seed in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Tropaeolum nanum

Species Origin: Introduced US Flower

Type: Garden Flowers

Life Cycle: Annual, Tender Perennial

USDA Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

US Regions: California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast

Seeds per Ounce: 220

Stratification: No Stratification

Germination Ease: No Stratification

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Yellow

Bloom Season: Blooms Late Summer, Blooms Early Fall