6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
I don't see how one compressed peat pellet would be any different than any other. The hydrafarm pellets appear to be lacking the webbing of the jiffy, so that some sort of unit which will keep them contained as they expand will be necessary.
I am growing a few dogwood/cornus from seeds. I have not had much luck with purchased potted dogwoods. I agree with planting the seeds outdoors now. Let the weather do its' thing over the winter months. My cornus floridas only got about 3" tall the first year. Others grew faster. Protect them from wildlife chewing them up. I stake a "tube" of chicken wire around them. Then I don't run over them with the lawn mower either. Keep them protected for several years (or longer).
Most Calceolarias sold as pot plants are hybrids so be warned that if you do manage to raise new plants they will not necessarily look like the plant which died. They can also be raised from cuttings. Go to the second plant down at the link.
Here is a link that might be useful: Calceolaria seed
No one I know are starting tomato or pepper seeds in early September. Where are you? I have never used your planting system, but from your picture, your mix has shrunk and pulled away from the pot sides. Looks like it must be made of peat, and once dry will be difficult to accept water. It is difficult to believe the cover was just removed and the mix has lost that much water. Al
'Most are annual' is not completely accurate. Many of the most useful and popular are perennial eg sage, thyme, mint, rosemary, bay, lavender, oregano and chives. I cannot comment on the suitability of August for sowing because I do not know your climate but I would suggest you look up each herb you want to grow since they do not all require the same conditions. Some such as Parsley, coriander, and dill resent transplanting so are best sown straight into their final homes.
There is a Herbs Forum here on Garden Web where you will find several experienced herb growers to help you.
I would not suggest starting Rosemary or Oregano from seed. You may be able to find someone in your area that could give you a cutting or plants. It is suggested that herbs should be fall planted for our area but then not not all annuals, such as Basil or dill. Mint needs to be by itself as it as well as Oregano love to wander. Some Sages are annuals, bi-annuals but some will last for many many years once established. Bay trees do okay in our area. Lemongrass does not like a freeze but here if we expect cold weather we can take cuttings and store in our ref's for save keeping for when our weather warms back up for the summer.
I just heard about citric acid soak for germination for seeds. On the container, it says for sprouting seeds. My friend tried it on some almost impossible to germinate silky camellias and the seeds are germinating about 2 days. I would like to try it on some daylily seeds - has anyone ever soaked daylily seeds in this? Can anyone provide other information on this? I normally soak mine in a hydrogen peroxide/distilled water mix. Thanks for any advice......
Conocarpus. I've found a picture of the seeds online, but nothing in any of my propagation books on germination other than statements similar to - " producing large number of small seeds with low germination and survival rate. " This one sounds much easier from cuttings than sowing...but of course you have nothing to lose by trying :)
Here is a link that might be useful: 
hi everyone. my tomato plants have grown really tall 5'-9" to be exact with the help of a nylon line with a counter weight..but i've notice bottom branches wither and turn yellow or stay curled up and plant doesn't get thicker like i've seen in other tomato plants.. ill appreciate any help im a newbie growing tomatoes..thank you all for your time
Someone at a local nursery told me that you can grow them from seed, but they will get to blooming size several years faster if you grow cuttings.
I was asking for cutting on this forum but no luck as well. It was a failure with seeds, and I wish I would have better news to write about. I am still looking for someone who will be willing to share few cuttings.