Two seasons ago, I planted some Jacob Kline Monarda in the garden, and
had wonderful results. Last season, dozens of seedlings grew in the
same area, but not a single one grew to maturity. This year I have
lots of seedlings again and would like to ensure they grow to blooming
stage. What might I do to enhance their chance of success? Should I
thin out the seedlings so they don't compete with each other?
Fertilize frequently? Any advice appreciated.

-Fleemo

(Fleemo) wrote in message om...
Two seasons ago, I planted some Jacob Kline Monarda in the garden, and
had wonderful results. Last season, dozens of seedlings grew in the
same area, but not a single one grew to maturity. This year I have
lots of seedlings again and would like to ensure they grow to blooming
stage. What might I do to enhance their chance of success? Should I
thin out the seedlings so they don't compete with each other?
Fertilize frequently? Any advice appreciated.

-Fleemo

Skip the fertilizer.
Keep them well watered.

Fleemo wrote:

Two seasons ago, I planted some Jacob Kline Monarda in the garden, and
had wonderful results. Last season, dozens of seedlings grew in the
same area, but not a single one grew to maturity. This year I have
lots of seedlings again and would like to ensure they grow to blooming
stage. What might I do to enhance their chance of success? Should I
thin out the seedlings so they don't compete with each other?
Fertilize frequently? Any advice appreciated.

Seedlings? Are you sure? Monarda generally spreads (quite vigorously)
from root. The clump just keeps getting bigger, and if you aren't
careful, will take over the entire bed. I planted a few Jacob Kline
last spring (tiny plants from Bluestone), and they have already spread
about a foot in each direction. I'll be hacking away at it to keep them
in-bounds.

Suja

Suja wrote:


Fleemo wrote:

Two seasons ago, I planted some Jacob Kline Monarda in the garden, and
had wonderful results. Last season, dozens of seedlings grew in the
same area, but not a single one grew to maturity. This year I have
lots of seedlings again and would like to ensure they grow to blooming
stage. What might I do to enhance their chance of success? Should I
thin out the seedlings so they don't compete with each other?
Fertilize frequently? Any advice appreciated.

Seedlings? Are you sure? Monarda generally spreads (quite vigorously)

from root. The clump just keeps getting bigger, and if you aren't
careful, will take over the entire bed. I planted a few Jacob Kline
last spring (tiny plants from Bluestone), and they have already spread
about a foot in each direction. I'll be hacking away at it to keep them

in-bounds.

Suja



I grow M. 'Jacob Cline' and agree that it's unlikely that Fleemo is seeing
seedlings of the plant. (I've seen reputable seed companies offering seeds of
this cultivar, so I'm allowing that it's possible to grow it true from seed,
but cultivation wouldn't be a casual thing.) My original clump has spread way
beyond the single plant I started with, but no plants have sprung up outside
the logical root environment.

In a happy location (bright, full sun to partial shade, soil that can be kept
moist), it'll be a moderate but enjoyable, nicely scented chore to keep the
plants in check. I've already moved many plants to other parts of the garden
and to other welcoming gardens.

For interest's sake, I'm going to try raise some seedlings this spring from
some 'Jacob Cline' seed I've saved from last year, just to see what happens.
But again, I've never seen any of plants not directly connected to the original
root system. Perhaps Fleemo has similar minty plants nearby that are seeding
the same area. If they are indeed M. 'Jacob Cline,' then yes, they should be
thinned out periodically, kept moist (but not muddy-wet), and not be coddled
with any special fertilizers. 'Jacob Cline' grows quite tall (mine have
reached 4-plus feet) and benefits greatly from being cut back several times in
spring/early summer so it will branch more, stay sturdy, and have many more
blossoms (and still get tall.....).

NOTE: Suja, do you see bees and/or butterflies on your Jacob Cline? Mine
attract hummers, but there has never been a bee or butterfly anywhere near
mine. (Thread from last summer.....)

Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa z7

This does not grow true to variety from seed. If you want more, then root
division is the best method.
Seeds, if you wish, should be sown in early spring, under protection, to
be set out in nursery rows before final planting in October.
Take care though, as it can become invasive.
Clumps should be divided every two or three years in early spring.
Books suggest manuring liberally in the spring, but I doubt the wisdom
or necessity of this statement.
Best Wishes.
"Fleemo" wrote in message
m...
Two seasons ago, I planted some Jacob Kline Monarda in the garden, and
had wonderful results. Last season, dozens of seedlings grew in the
same area, but not a single one grew to maturity. This year I have
lots of seedlings again and would like to ensure they grow to blooming
stage. What might I do to enhance their chance of success? Should I
thin out the seedlings so they don't compete with each other?
Fertilize frequently? Any advice appreciated.

-Fleemo

Tyra Trevellyn wrote:

NOTE: Suja, do you see bees and/or butterflies on your Jacob Cline? Mine
attract hummers, but there has never been a bee or butterfly anywhere near
mine. (Thread from last summer.....)

We get very little by way of Hummer activity, and the two hummers I've
seen seem to prefer my Agastache. All my Monarda do attract lots of
bees, a lot fewer butterflies.

Suja

Tyra Trevellyn wrote:

NOTE: Suja, do you see bees and/or butterflies on your Jacob Cline? Mine
attract hummers, but there has never been a bee or butterfly anywhere near
mine. (Thread from last summer.....)

We get very little by way of Hummer activity, and the two hummers I've
seen seem to prefer my Agastache. All my Monarda do attract lots of
bees, a lot fewer butterflies.

Suja

don't hack, share...........I'll take a hunk of it when you thin yours out
G
madgardener
"Suja" wrote in message
news:zuZ7c.2468$oH2.2185@lakeread01...
Fleemo wrote:

Two seasons ago, I planted some Jacob Kline Monarda in the garden, and
had wonderful results. Last season, dozens of seedlings grew in the
same area, but not a single one grew to maturity. This year I have
lots of seedlings again and would like to ensure they grow to blooming
stage. What might I do to enhance their chance of success? Should I
thin out the seedlings so they don't compete with each other?
Fertilize frequently? Any advice appreciated.

Seedlings? Are you sure? Monarda generally spreads (quite vigorously)
from root. The clump just keeps getting bigger, and if you aren't
careful, will take over the entire bed. I planted a few Jacob Kline
last spring (tiny plants from Bluestone), and they have already spread
about a foot in each direction. I'll be hacking away at it to keep them
in-bounds.

Suja

madgardener wrote:
don't hack, share...........I'll take a hunk of it when you thin yours out
G

Are you sure? It will take over every square inch it can lay it's
grubby little rootlets on. Send me an email please. I bet I have a
bunch of invasives I can send your way. Be warned that I've never done
this before, and will need directions.

Suja

I grow M. 'Jacob Cline' and agree that it's unlikely that Fleemo is
seeing seedlings of the plant.

Well, I don't pretend to be a plant expert, but it *sure* looks like
Monarda to me, and is growing in the same area that my original
Monarda was growing.

Here are some photos for a positive ID:
http://www.inhouzemusic.com/z/monarda.html

As I recall, my monarda wasn't clumplike at all, but grew in
individual stalks, flowered, then perished completely. The next year,
seedlings like the ones pictured appeared in its place, but never
flowered. It is a pretty shady area, but I thought I'd read that
Jacob Cline did alright in semi-shade.

-Fleemo

Fleemo wrote:

Well, I don't pretend to be a plant expert, but it *sure* looks like
Monarda to me,

Oh, it's Monarda allright, just not seedlings. Clear as mud? :-)

As I recall, my monarda wasn't clumplike at all, but grew in
individual stalks, flowered, then perished completely.

Semantics, methinks. The plant grows into large clumps, but the habit
is vertical (http://www.stauder.net/bildearkiv/Mo...0hybr%20RS.jpg).

The next year,
seedlings like the ones pictured appeared in its place, but never
flowered. It is a pretty shady area, but I thought I'd read that
Jacob Cline did alright in semi-shade.

The "seedlings" you're seeing are most likely "rootlings". IOW, they
are spreading from the root of the plants you had there previously. You
can trace the little leaves back to see this. I have no idea why these
are not flowering, but would suspect that they're not getting enough
sun. How tall did your plants get? Try moving them to a sunnier spot.

Suja

Ahh, so they *are* Monarda. I'll have to examine them closely. I
didn't notice them all being attached to a central root system.

The original plants got to be between three and four feet tall.
Seemed to do pretty well in the spot, except some were droopy, falling
over if I remember correctly.

If I moved them, how would I approach the transplanting? Try and move
the entire clump, or take individual seedlings and transplant them?

Thanks for the input.

-F

From: (Fleemo)
Date: Thu, Mar 25, 2004 12:41 PM
Message-id:

Ahh, so they *are* Monarda. I'll have to examine them closely. I
didn't notice them all being attached to a central root system.

The original plants got to be between three and four feet tall.
Seemed to do pretty well in the spot, except some were droopy, falling
over if I remember correctly.

If I moved them, how would I approach the transplanting? Try and move
the entire clump, or take individual seedlings and transplant them?

Thanks for the input.

-F


The new plants (and I believe it's been established that they're new plants
from the original root system, and not seedlings) will be loosely attached to
the old root system, and can be teased apart and taken out of the soil to
replant elsewhere. If you want to leave most of the original clump intact,
loosen the soil around the outer areas and gently pull out the new plantlets,
using a thin trowel or your fingers. You'll see individual root stocks and
rootlets on each plantlet. If the original clump and surrounding area now has a
dense root system (very likely), which is what mine is like, it may be easier
to use a spading fork or sturdy hand trowel and dig up a several clumps of
plantlets at a time for planting out in small groups elsewhere.

These are very very tough plants and take to dividing and transplanting very
well. Be sure to water them in and keep them moist. They don't need full sun,
but they do like at least a half-day of sun. Since you have enough to try in
different places, you'll probably be able to determine where they do best this
year. They should blossom this season, even the new transplants, if you find
the right place for them.

Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa z7

The new plants (and I believe it's been established that they're new plants
from the original root system, and not seedlings) will be loosely attached to
the old root system, and can be teased apart and taken out of the soil to
replant elsewhere. If you want to leave most of the original clump intact,
loosen the soil around the outer areas and gently pull out the new plantlets,
using a thin trowel or your fingers. You'll see individual root stocks and
rootlets on each plantlet. If the original clump and surrounding area now has a
dense root system (very likely), which is what mine is like, it may be easier
to use a spading fork or sturdy hand trowel and dig up a several clumps of
plantlets at a time for planting out in small groups elsewhere.

These are very very tough plants and take to dividing and transplanting very
well. Be sure to water them in and keep them moist. They don't need full sun,
but they do like at least a half-day of sun. Since you have enough to try in
different places, you'll probably be able to determine where they do best this
year. They should blossom this season, even the new transplants, if you find
the right place for them.

Tyra, thank you so much for the step-by-step instructions. Now I'm
kinda excited to get out there and transplant 'em. Of course, the
several weeks of nearly summer-like weather has come to an abrupt end
here in northern California. It's raining like cats and dogs, so
transplanting will have to wait a while. :[

-Fleemo