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| I'm trying Rudbeckia seeds for the first time. I know they are supposed to be easy, but growing from seed is not particularly easy for me.
I did put them in the refrigerator for two weeks as I read could help with germination. Now they recommend placing them in a 70 degree room. I don't keep my furnace at 70, in fact when I'm here it's at 67, when I'm gone I turn the furnace off. At night I turn it off and the temp gets to 58+. Would you recommend putting them on a heat mat where they could stay warmer 24 hours a day? I forget if I'm supposed to keep them covered with saran wrap until they germinate? Thanks
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Ginny, you might get faster germination with a heat mat if you have one already - I wouldn't buy one specifically for the rudbekia seeds. They will still germinate at cooler, it just may take a little longer. At 70F, barely covered or surface sown, they can take 5-21 days. Covering the pot or flat with plastic wrap can help keep the humidity/moisture in and save you some of the attention that would need, just remove it at first sign of germination. |
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- Posted by ginnyginny Zone 9 Calif (My Page) on Sat, Feb 26, 11 at 0:29
| Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll just be patient and skip the heat mat for now. I think once they germinate I should put them under lights. Ginny |
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| My Rudbeckia seeds just came up in less than a week with no prechilling. The pot sits on a 70 degree mat covered with wrap which I just removed. They are in an unheated greenhouse with about 8 hours of added light, because my greenhouse is partially shaded. Without enough light they will be very spindly with a weak stem. When they get about an inch high I will take them off the mat. I would do it sooner if the weather would warm up a bit. Your fluctuating house temperatures will be no problem for them. Al |
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- Posted by ginnyginny Zone 9 Calif (My Page) on Sun, Feb 27, 11 at 20:25
| Hi Al, Thanks for your input. I'd better get my light table cleared off; it's in the garage. I hope this goes well as I haven't had much practice with seeds under lights. The Rudbeckia I'm growing is the one with the green center. I only see them in gallon containers in the nursery. I hope to take one or two to my garden club's plant sale. Ginny Ginny |
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| Hi Ginny, you won't need the light until germination has taken place. It will not hurt to have the extra light now, but not having it, will not prevent normal germination. I started a lot of seeds too early,lured by a couple of weeks of unseasonably warm weather,I am finding which seedlings will tolerate the cold best or worse. I have learned to always plant only a sample of any seed, so my losses are minimal. Al |
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