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Monarda didyma

American Beebalm · Beebalm · Bergamot · Scarlet Beebalm

Family LamiaceaeGenus Monarda

Two scarlet flower heads of narrow tubular petals radiating from a domed center, held above coarse green leaves.
FlowerBurkhard MückeCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herbaceous Perennial, WildflowerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
2-4 ft0.6-1.2 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
2-3 ft60-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Red/BurgundyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Fall, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sunExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic MatterExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 15, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

50% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Monarda p. 179Public domain
Show the original text
Monarda (Lamiaceae). M. didyma germ. 70L(3/14 on 5th d), 70D(none), 40-70L(2/4), and 40-70D(0/4). It is likely that light promotes germination as in
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Monarda p. 179. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 31, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 5 days to germinate.

21% germination in 5 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Monarda p. 179Public domain
Show the original text
Monarda (Lamiaceae). M. didyma germ. 70L(3/14 on 5th d), 70D(none), 40-70L(2/4), and 40-70D(0/4). It is likely that light promotes germination as in
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Monarda p. 179. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 6 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

21% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Monarda p. 179Public domain
Show the original text
Monarda (Lamiaceae). M. didyma germ. 70L(3/14 on 5th d), 70D(none), 40-70L(2/4), and 40-70D(0/4). It is likely that light promotes germination as in M. fistulosa. Seed DS 6 m at 70 germ. 70L(3/14) and 70D(none) confirming the photorequirement.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Monarda p. 179. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2.

0% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Monarda p. 179Public domain
Show the original text
Monarda (Lamiaceae). M. didyma germ. 70L(3/14 on 5th d), 70D(none), 40-70L(2/4), and 40-70D(0/4). It is likely that light promotes germination as in
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Monarda p. 179. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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