Painted Tongue - (Salpiglossis sinuata) Every once in a while, a special heirloom gift of seeds arrives at our farm. We were so incredibly excited to open up a box containing many glass vials of 70-87 year old seeds, ranging from flower seeds to old extinct tomato varieties like Chatham Select. The box of seeds were purchased at a barn auction in MB by Heidi Berndt of Regina SK. When Heidi saw our seed business featured on CBC’s Still Standing she decided that we might have a use for these treasures. One of the varieties we ran germination tests on was the Salpiglossis (Painted Tongue) which translates to ’Trumpet & Tongue' in Greek. (Salpiglossis is an annual heirloom flower that was introduced to North America in the early1800’s). There were 3 vials of this seed with a tiny hand written paper note in each containing the label ’Salphaglosis with the year, under letterhead reading 'Grandview, Manitoba'. The 3 vials ranged form 1935-1938 which equated to approximately 2000 seeds. We tested about 50% from each vial with no success. We also froze the other half and refrigerated them for 2 weeks. These were also sown... and what a seed dance of a day it was on April 23 of 2022 when the first 19 seedlings emerged. Thirteen more also sprouted over the next week. In all, we guarded and definitely over-nurtured the lot of 32 plants until the time of transplant. Not to disappoint, by late May we were entertained by a wide array of beautiful shades of velvety 'Kodachrome’ flowers as pictured above. This could turn out to be the seed save of the century for us! We are calling this strain of Salpiglossis ‘Grandview Kodachrome’, coincidentally, Kodachrome film was first introduced in 1935, likely around the same year as the vial of seeds were saved by the diligent seed saver of Grandview MB. Out of interest, no seeds from any of the other vials are viable so far. More have been placed in the freezer for another try! We hope that you can enjoy these heirloom gems as we have been fortunate enough to, thanks to the preservation and generosity of Heidi!
100 seeds per package $4.45
Planting Instructions: Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before the last frost date. Sow just beneath the surface of the soil and keep in darkness until emergence. Or plant out when danger of frost has passed in late spring. Plants do well in a wide range of soil types and thrive in partial shade. This is an annual plant.
