Gentiana cachemirica

KASHMIR GENTIAN

Gentiana cachemirica
KASHMIR GENTIAN

Gentiana cachemirica is one of the loveliest of all groundcover Gentians.
Sky blue trumpets open with a colour so lovely it just melts your heart.
And the trumpets sit so perkily upright above low, spreading foliage, with dashing dark stipes up their sides.
So Kashmir Gentian blooms as if a piece of sky has settled on the ground in late summer and early autumn.

A piece of sky on the ground

Plant in Part shade, Dappled Shade, or Morning Sun. Kashmir Gentian is easily grown particularly in windy sites or on slopes, especially if it is encouraged with compost and humous.
Kashmir Gentian prefers to be well drained, so rocky or gravelly soils, with some compost or mulch are ideal, and hence why it enjoys the drainage of a slope, or along a raised garden edge.
It is also lovely draping over the edge of a pot.

Frost hardy & not thirsty

Gentiana cachemirica is very frost hardy, and not a particularly thirsty plant.
So average garden watering is ample, as required by the weather.

Once you start this treasure – you will have it for may years.
Gentiana cachemirica is noted as being long lived perennial.

15cm High in full trumpet x 45cm Wide of draping groundcover foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Indoors: Sow seed in punnets on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently press the seeds onto the surface of the mix, to ensure good contact.

Now cover the seed to a depth 1mm. approx.
And you can use sieved mix, fine grit, vermiculite, or washed sand to sprinkle over the seeds.

Then place the sown punnet into a water bath (make sure the water level in the bath is below the surface of the mix).
So the moisture percolates up through the mix from the bottom to thoroughly moisten the mix throughout.
Soak for a short time until moisture appears on the surface of the mix, and then remove and drain.
Because the mix needs to be moist throughout, but not wet.

Give a period of chilling in the fridge

Now wrap the sown, moist punnet in cling-wrap and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.

After the period of chilling, remove from fridge, unwrap, moisten again, and place the punnet in a warm, position (not in direct sun).
Dark is beneficial to aid germination, so place a black plastic or thick cardboard lid over the punnet.

Temperatures of 22°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a temperature-controlled heat mat if you have one to encourage rapid germination, but it is not essential. A window-sill or well-lit corner is also fine.
Adding a plastic cover helps to retain moisture in the punnet.

And continue to keep the punnet moist by spraying the surface of the mix a fine spray water bottle, or re-soaking in the water bath, as required.
(If the punnet is light weight when you pick it up – the mix is drying out and needs another soak from below in the water bath).

Seedlings begin to emerge in approx. 14 days.
Be patient and do not discard the punnet, as it is normal for these seeds to germinate over a staggered time. This is a natural precaution by the plant to ensure some seeds germinate into ideal weather conditions.

Seed Count: 15 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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