6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Doesn't realty matter too much on easy to start plants.
I would caution on the use of the word potting "SOIL" What you want is potting "Mix". The stores sell both. I have gone back to store potting mix for starting seeds and for re-potting them.
If you have the seeds covered, get the cover off as soon as they pop up and give them air.
Not helpful for gardenia. Soak seed overnight, then sow covered by about 1/4", peat moss and sand or peat and perlite at about 75F. Germination in about four-six weeks but could take up to three months for the seeds to germinate, and germination may be erratic (meaning not all seeds will germinate same time)
I sow all my seeds in repurposed mushroom boxes. That way I can keep each variety and or color separate. 8 mushroom boxes fit perfectly in 1 tray but I usually have 3 trays full when I'm starting my seeds. I don't like to crowd the seedlings.
I do use Chamomile tea for damp off but I also use cinnamon which does the same thing.
FYI: Last year I germinated tomato seeds in coffee filters. I was told I'd get a better germination rate doing it this way than using seed starting mix. Well 1st off even though they were 2014 seeds not all germinated which surprised me ( I was a newbie last year) 2nd it took me close to 3 hours to then transplant them into my seed starting mix and I only transplanted about 20 seedlings. Why so long? Well I didn't want to damage the extremely delicate seedlings. Wow yes a lot of time and yes quite a lot of stress. I did learn a lot but this year the seeds are going right into the starting mix.
On sowing Acer palmatum:
-- First soak your seeds for 24 hours.
-- Japanese maple seeds need 2 to 3 months cold before they can germinate.
-- Reasonably fresh seed usually germinates in the first spring after sowing; old, dried out seed may take a year longer (or might not germinate at all).
-- If you have plenty of seed available you can do a 'cut test' to get an idea how high the percentage of fertile seed is.
-- If you live in an area that doesn't have real winter temperatures you can put the seeds with some slightly moist (= not wet) sowing compost in a ziplock bag in the fridge (NEVER the freezer) at around 5 C./41 F. After two months check regular for signs of germination as Japanese maples can germinate (root emergence) in the fridge. When you see a root appear you can sow them in a pot.
This post was edited by GardenPrince on Fri, Jan 30, 15 at 3:39
Hi GardenPrince, many thanks for your useful info and posts, it is appreciated. I will try to find some Ericacious seed compost here in Melbourne area, but I know I have seen the Perlite, in a 5 Litre bag for around $9 AUD. The Bunnings DIY stores here have quite a lot of gardening stuff. They DO sell some professional grade Osmocote seed raising compost here:
http://www.bunnings.com.au/osmocote-10l-professional-rose-gardenia-azalea-camellia-potting-mix_p3020060
so if you think that slightly acid (PH of around 6) should be good, mixed with a bit of pearlite, I will give it a go when I get my new batch of seeds arrive any day soon.
I grow wheat grass indoors in winter as a green treat for my cats. :) If that's what you mean, I just use a couple small flats (I have/use plastic flats, but they're the size of peat flats... approx 4" x 6"). Otherwise, I use 4" pots or whatever is available...
I fill the pot with potting mix, tamp down lightly to firm the soil, scatter the seed heavily across the entire surface, cover lightly with additional potting mix, press down to ensure contact, water, and give it plenty of light (in a window or under grow lights). The seeds sprout quickly.... usually in just 2-3 days... then water as needed and the grass is full-grown in just a couple weeks. Cats love it. :)
I have also placed the entire pot in a plastic bag to retain moisture and speed the germination process, but I remove the bag once the grass is up a couple inches.
Lol. A pic would be great. While too early for here I have sowed some to see if I can replicate. Hopefully it is not present on germination as I would hate to have to burn my shop down, again, due to plant diseases....
SCG
i just stumbled across this from google. Very interesting, but mine are at the bottom of my pots of growing plants. They're about 2 months old now or more, I don't really know. Just thought I'd try growing some veges on my bit of balcony space from some seeds I kept... But it seems i don't have to worry too much about it??
I just discovered this problem today after my LED lights turned off and I turned the white light on. I am going to try just wiping it off the surface. I noticed that it's only on my older seedlings that I need to repot. I am adding better ventilation to my little greenhouse, so hopefully this will help. Thanks for the suggestions.
BeesNeeds - you can search the Forums if there's something you want to find. It's not fantastically reliable but that way you don't have to guess where the info might be.
Here is a link that might be useful: Results from typing in Asclepias variegata
Hi friends,
We recently move to Los Angeles area(Torrance, CA). As I had to move back to India earlier, I gave away all my curry plants. Now I am looking for one. It would be great if someone can pass one to me or give me a link from where I can get one.
Thnx in advance.
Vidyaa
You can find dry terra cotta clay in any craft store, art supply, or maybe even the craft department of a big box store.
Good advice on places to locate the clay.
I'd suggest making the balls small. Dry them quickly in an area with good air flow. Setting them in front of a fan is good. If you make them larger and set them close together to dry, you may be disappointed. The seeds will stay moist long enough to begin germinating, and when the balls are used later the germinated seeds will be dried out and dead. Don't ask how I know this :)