6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

MOUSE.....they love pansies

There IS NO NEED TO REMOVE THE DRIED SKIN:aLL THAT IS NECESSARY IS SOME WARM WEATHER, SOME SEMI-FERTILE SOIL, and some moisture. In actuallity You may simply toss the seeds as they are onto your garden soil and they will grow like mad. The leaves are not much raw in salads, but are pretty tasty when sauteed with som garlic for about 10 minutes.

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I've been wanting to grow some Malabar Spinach and I have seeds, but I was worried the berries might make a mess, since I would be growing it near a sidewalk. Did either of you have any problems with berries that have dropped?

Most sunrooms even though they seem bright do not compare with real out in the open light preferred by the plants you mention. I would continue the light until planted in the garden. I never use 3 inch pots, preferring the 4 inch. Al

I think that it is not the same how much light there is in sunrooms in zone 9 and zone 6. Now, the light comes in a shallow angle in here whereas zone 9 California, the sun would be fairly high. When I measured the light level in sunroom and outside in front of it with my old photo light exposure meter using neutral 60% grey card (the standard) there was almost no difference at all because the sun beam light came straight in at 60 degree angle. But yes, you are right, I still give it that extra 3 hours of light. I will do an experiment, though. I have more snapdragons than I need and I have 2 plants that are almost identical in growth and seeds are from same packet. One will stay in sunroom and one will be moved for extra light. Just before I will transplant to final pot or ground I will take picture of them side by side. This way my curiosity will be satisfied. Gardening is so much fun!
Check the pictures on my blog that shows my sunroom setup. The post might be second from top or just click on Garden link at top.
Thank you very much for your input, I appreciate it very much.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seedlings update

I usually put in 2-3 seeds per cell and once there are few sets of true leaves, I transfer them out to 3 or 4 inch pots. It just depends on the size I have available. I move them outside and right into my mini greenhouse.

Luis

Thanks Luis!
I'm going to do the same. I have a few plastic trays without the pod holes, so I'll use coffee cups I think when I'm ready to transfer them.

if soil temp is 60F & night temp 50F then go ahead & set cucumbers out. tomatoes & peppers are cold sensitive... set out after night temp are 60F or more.

Temp still dips down in the mid 40's here and there. That's why I just may pot up for a week or so until the weather becomes more stable. That's why I was wondering if it would be OK. Never grow cucumbers before.

1.) Yes 2.)I do not use the kits 3.) good price

I wouldn't use the wipes. Why don't you place the seeds in a couple of teaspoons of sterile moist vermiculite or sterile moist sand and put them in a small zip lock in your refrigerator. When ready to bring back to warm, sow the entire contents of the zip lock.

Or if you have time with nights cold enough, chilly days with a further temp reduction at night might give them enough time in 4-6 weeks for the moist chill, sometimes a fluctuating temperature is more helpful. Sow and place the pot outdoors.

This is what I have done for seeds that need to be stratified.
Plant them in a container with damp seed starter mix.
Put the container in a plastic bag and store it in the fridge (back of the bottom shelf)
Label with the date you put it in and when to remove it. I use masking tape on the outside of the bag.
Also, mark your calendar when to remove it.
You can use any container. I like the strawberry containers because they have a lid. I put folded damp paper towel on the bottom and then the damp starter mix. Plant the seed and press them in lightly. Sprinkle a little more mix on top.
When you take it out of the fridge, keep it in a warm place until you see it has germinated. This can take a long time. I remember one time I did this - it wasn't until the middle of July before I saw anything growing.

I don't know anything about white fir tree seed. Maybe someone out there can help you with that.

Best wishes for successful growing!