Mine seemed to hit a growth spurt and I planted them out when they were about four inches tall. After that they have been pretty hardy for me. It took them a long time to get that big though, around when it got really hot I think. I still was able to get them all in the ground well over a month or two ago, so I don't have to overwinter any of them in pots.

thank u floodthelast,

when u ws them did you sow heavy? did u plant out hos? or individual plants?

I did sow heavy they have such tiny seeds. I had some from a trade and some I collected from my sis in laws. I started them out in a 44oz cup(my favorite method) Later as they got bigger I put them into a milk jug and let them grow there till I separated them and put them into the ground. I'll have to look through my old pics and see if I can find some for you. Once mine got about four inches tall and were planted out they seem hardy. One got broken and all the visible leaves died but after a week or two I noticed new growth there and it's still chugging along.
The small ones that weren't as big I potted up into individual cups and waited to plant out. Now they are all in my garden.
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Hey floodthelast,

Thank u- I'm quite excited about ws them. I hope I end up with zillion plants. I've been hording seeds.

HOS is the best for these with chunks of about 4 plants in each 'hunk' if you can split them as such. Don't be gentle as they are quite tough. Here are some, but keep in mind that this year at my plant sale I sold over 50 Astilbe plants potted in 5" pots. Oh, and plant them in the ground. They do better IMHO.

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I couldn't remember where the following photo was and discovered it wasn't on Photobucket so pasted it there and here it is. These seeds came from a friend's garden. They are the only Astilbe she grows and I truly love them!!

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As you can see there is a 'runt' in the middle of the planting. LOL!

Tiffy,

You are "Queen of Astilbe". Oh, those are truly beautiful.... Do you know the name of the ones on the 2nd picture?

My friend didn't know the name but my guess is that they would be of the Deutchland Japonica series. I bought some for $1.00 a big pot at WM a couple of years ago and they are white and have the same form. The whites are in the shade garden and in the evening you might think they were plugged into an electric outlet as they are so bright. :O)

Floodthelast & Tiffy,

Hey guys, I feel confident about ws them after seeing your pictures. Much thanks.

-EJ

I've tried astilbe for the past few years and nothing has happened. I think last year I got the seed too late. If anyone is interested in a trade (or sasbe) please let me know. thanks.

I find the astilbe sprouts are so small you almost have to HOS them. My seedlings were very small when I put them in the ground (about 1 inch tall), and the ground was not nice loam and I was surprised they came through winter and then grew very well the next year. They are very hardy. I am looking for some 'fluffy' ones like Tiffy's. Mine tend to be quite stiff looking - I want plumes that can blow in the wind (LOL).

I had seed from a trade and some self gathered from my sister in laws fading plants. Both did well winter sown. I found another pic of the same astilbe. I took them from the cup and potted up to a milk jug. This pic was right before they got planted out.
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