6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
When I ordered my tomato seeds from wintersown.org they send me a leaflet that shows how to save tomato seeds. They do not say to let them ferment but they do say to use a disinfectant powder. That could be the same process I do not know but they seem to send this with every tomato seed order. Paul
Last frost average in my area is May 10.
How weird. The last frost date for most of zone 8 is March 15th. Mine is April 15th and that is at 1000' elevation.
Granted those are just averages but I wonder why yours is so late? You might want to investigate that more with your local county ag extension office. Many state extension websites offer specific locale LFDs.
Dave
Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Soil is generally regarded as a growing medium, not a seed starting medium. It contains earthworm castings and bat guano, among others things, that can easily go anaerobic if kept too wet. To prevent it in the future cut back on your watering substantially and increase the air circulation in the growing area with a small fan or such.
Dave
Actually, you can get quite sick from potting media, garden soil, compost, etc. Lung and /or skin infections are not all that rare with nursery workers and others who have their hands in stuff like that all day. I had a young employee who developed a very serious problem not too long after working with our bark based nursery mix.
It was a long time ago and I no longer recall what the pathogen was...there are several to beware of that have nothing to do with manure or allergic reactions. The allergy issue, however, is very common!
See a doctor.
Have you checked out all the Exchanges forums here? They would be the best source. Perhaps also check the Citrus forum here.
However, please note that international shipping of citrus seeds is heavily restricted for very important contamination reasons and the fines for shipping and growing such seeds are quite high.
I'd suggest contacting one of the companies that sell the seeds/plants and that have the knowledge of the shipping laws and methods for such things.
Dave
Cool. We got to use whatever works and new ideas are a blessing.
Would have loved to have a couple of warm hearths 3 nights ago when the temps were 26 and the power went out in the GHs at 3:30 am and the power company failed to put out the phone alerts!
Dave
I started them on the mantels Dave. My mind was out of whack, I've got a broke rib and taking Lortab for pain. I typed hearths instead of mantels. A wood hearth wouldn't work out so good! LOL
I'm going to use the hearths too when I start the rest of my seed.
I hope you didn't loose anything when the power went out Dave!
They don't call here when we have a power outage, we have to call them.
I know immediately when I have one thanks to my computers UPS. It beeps loudly!
Well, I should have read these posts earlier! We built a group of planters for our deck, and ordered lots of live plants from Park, and the web site promised shipment of April 16 or so. Today, in following up, they claim that "the zone you are in dictates we ship on May 27th". When I brought the rep back to the info on their own website that contridicts that, she said "Well, we really ran out, and had to place more orders from our vendor". I can deal with delays, but I will not buy from a Company that "tells stories". Orders were cancelled.
I have used Park Seed for a few years and have been satisfied. This year my order has been delayed several times without any contact from them letting me know of any problems. This is poor customer service. At least if they would have informed me, I could make a decision as to whether to cancel the order or not and try to order from someone else. This may be the last year I order from them.
Agree with flora's question.
I note you just joined today so may not be aware of the forum guidelines. So can I ask what the purpose of this post is? Did you write the eHow article or are we looking at possibel copyright issues?
eHow isn't regarded as a highly reputable gardening info source since it often contains errors and mis-information, so why just copy its info to here?
Dave
i gave a thorough watering once a week. I misted throughout the other days to keep the surface from becoming parched. Must have been doing it all wrong cuz I finally dug up the POB and the seeds were like pus! What do you recommend I do for my next batch? I'm brand new at this- in Costa Rica I could throw anything in the ground and it would be up in a week! I've only got 7 seeds left, I hope they aren't all duds :( or that I don't royally screw them up again!
With the annual types (breadseed, somniferum) I direct sow as above, but sometimes scattering the seeds early winter, late winter, and Spring for a longer succession of bloom (mild Z8)
Oriental poppy - Papaver orientale, Sow approx 68F, germinates in about two weeks, do not cover the small seed.
Rather than re-type all the basic info over again I hope you don't mind if I first refer you to the FAQs here.
I'm new to growing from seed, how do I get started?
Ok, my seedlings are growing. Now what do i do?
How do I determine when to start my seeds?
Are the ones to start with. I linked the rest below. You also need to provide us with your location and growing zone with your posts - there is a box on each post to include that important info.
Can you use tomato seeds?
What kind of seeds? Packages of seeds from seed sellers? Of course. From store bought tomatoes? They are hybrids and usually don't breed true. From your own saved seeds? It depends on if they were hybrids or open-pollinated varieties.
Hope this helps you get started.
Dave
PS: Here are a bunch of previous discussions with those new to growing from seed with much more info too.
Here is a link that might be useful: Growing from Seed FAQs