Blue Lobelia Seeds

Blue Lobelia (Lobelia erinus) is a compact, trailing edging annual prized for clouds of tiny blue, violet and purple flowers, many lit by a white or yellow eye. Reaching only about 0.1-0.5 m tall and wide, it spills beautifully from hanging baskets, window boxes and the front of beds, blooming profusely over a long cool season.

Planting

In Egypt grow Lobelia as a cool-season winter annual, not a spring crop, since it does not tolerate heat or drought. Sow into nursery trays or seedbeds in September-October. The seed is extremely tiny, so press it onto the surface and never cover it with soil; mixing it with a little sand helps spread it evenly, and light is needed for germination. Keep at about 18-24 degrees C and seedlings emerge in roughly 14-21 days. Transplant into beds or containers in October-November, spacing plants about 10-15 cm apart in full sun to partial shade.

Fertilizing

Lobelia feeds steadily through the growing season. Apply a balanced fertilizer about every two weeks early on, then switch to a nitrogen-free feed roughly every two weeks from mid-season. A balanced liquid feed every 2-3 weeks also works well, or a slow-release granular at planting with periodic liquid feeding.

Care

Keep the soil reliably moist and well-drained throughout the cool season, as the plant will not tolerate drought; never let it waterlog, and avoid forceful overhead spraying. Prick out seedlings once large enough to handle. Watch for slugs and snails, and guard against damping-off and root rot in wet winters. In Upper Egypt give afternoon shade as spring warms.