Okay, so I wanted to try growing some rocky mountain bee plants this year. I’ve never done it before, but I heard they’re pretty and good for bees, so why not? First thing I did was get some seeds.
I soaked the seeds in some warm water overnight. Some folks say you don’t have to, but I figured it couldn’t hurt. The next day, I got some seed starting trays and filled them with a seed starting mix. I poked little holes in the mix, about a quarter inch deep, and dropped a seed in each one. Then, I covered them up with a little more mix and watered them gently.
I put the trays on a heating mat under some grow lights. I made sure the soil stayed moist but not soggy. It took a few days, but I finally saw some little sprouts popping up! I was so excited, I think I did a little dance right there in my kitchen.
Once the seedlings got a couple sets of true leaves, I transplanted them into bigger pots. I used regular potting soil this time. I kept them under the lights for a few more weeks, watering them whenever the soil felt dry.
When the weather got warmer, I started hardening them off. This means I put them outside for a little bit each day, gradually increasing the time they spent outdoors. This helps them get used to the sun and wind.
Finally, I planted them in my garden! I spaced them out about a foot apart and watered them well. I mulched around them to help keep the weeds down and the soil moist. I did not do any fertilization.
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Don’t overwater the seedlings, or they might rot.
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Make sure they get plenty of light, or they’ll get leggy.
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Be patient! It takes a little while for them to grow.
Here are a few tips I learned along the way:
Now, I’m just waiting for them to bloom. I’ve heard they can get pretty tall, so I’m excited to see how they do in my garden. They look pretty healthy so far! I’ll definitely be growing these again next year. It’s been a fun and rewarding experience, and I can’t wait to see all the bees buzzing around them.
