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Fri, Mar 18, 11 at 15:51
| Hi - this is my second year winter sowing. Last year, I did larkspur, poppies, and sweet peas. All were a great success! This year, I did those 3 kinds, plus added agrostemma, stock, and annual anchusa. Well, at this point everything has sprouted except for 1 flat of larkspur, the stock, and the sweet peas. At what point do you think I should give up on them? I sowed everything in January and February. I think maybe the problem was that they were too wet, although no wetter than the ones that did sprout. Do sweet peas in particular hate wet for sprouting? Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by quilt_mommy 5/6 Northeast Ohio (My Page) on Fri, Mar 18, 11 at 16:24
| You're in a different zone than me, so that may make a difference, but I'm in NE Ohio zone 5/6 and my sweet peas always seem to take a long time to germinate. I start them in late spring though, about this time of year...I know they like a little bit of cold to start and can even handle a light snow that doesn't stick. Once they do get going though they take off quickly for me. Larkspur I have never been able to wintersow, even though people in my area say it reseeds. This year I'm going to try to direct sow them. I wouldn't give up just yet...but that's just me. You could always buy a few extra packs so if they don't come up you can try direct sowing. Good luck! ;) |
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| When to give up? Months from now, in zone 6! Seems bigger seeds are the ones that tend to rot in cold wet soil. Small seeds don't seem to mind. Vera's tip: direct sow larkspur in very late summer/fall. They'll sprout and overwinter as seedlings in your beds. They like the cold. Karen |
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- Posted by gardenweed_z6a 6 (My Page) on Sat, Mar 19, 11 at 9:42
| Does seem a bit premature to give up on anything before the first day of spring (tomorrow). Winter sowing is a proven method of growing perennials, annuals, vegetables, shrubs, trees & vines from seed. It doesn't guarantee or even suggest seeds will sprout earlier than via direct sowing, only that the germination rates will far exceed those vulnerable to external risks such as wind, critters, etc. Last year my first sprout was lupine on March 14; last one to sprout was painted daisy on May 2. That's nearly a 6-week window when 50 different annuals & perennials sprouted. If Mother Nature hasn't given up on your seeds, at a minimum I'd be more inclined to give them another few weeks. |
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- Posted by LilBlossom 5 (My Page) on Sat, Mar 19, 11 at 10:38
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