6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Understanding that oenothera is not the primrose being asked about above -
Albert, if you can, take squares of nylon stocking and some twist ties, bag stems on flowering plants you can find again. Seed is said to be set and dispersed rather quickly. You may have competion from mice, birds, so don't be surprised if they raid the 'bags' but you might get some viable seed that way.
I've been trying my luck at growing Adenium from seed as well, but having trouble at a different stage of thier growth. I get about 90% success of the seeds germinating and sprouting to the point were they've got three to four leaves. After that they don't seem to grow anymore, and start to fall over at the soil line and then slowly wither away. Below the soil the root/base of the caudex seems to shrivel up as if it isn't getting enough water, but I've been keeping it watered about 2-3 times a week. I live in Central Florida, so we've got the heat they like and I grow mine outdoors.
My theory is that I'm over watering after they sprout the first leaves, and may be causing root rot.
What do yall think?
Im in zone 6....I started some moonflower seeds in doors in my kitchen window sill, after soaking them for 24 hrs. I sowed 12 seeds only 4 came up..but they are sturdy, i only got them into the groung about 7 days ago, and i see they are fine as long as i keep them watered..I heard they dont transplant well, but so far so good. I soaked the rest of the seeds over night, and just put them in the ground...also 7 days ago so far no results..i had started morning glories at the same time, and transplanted those seedlings to hopefully mix with the moonflower, got red and blue MG's with (hopefully) the white moonflower...I dont know if its too late or not for blossoms..but i will just keep my fingers crossed!! good luck!
I also started mine in a pot, but I let them get where they started to grow out of the pot before transplanting them. They never got very large but came back again this year and am in hopes they will get larger each year as we do enjoy the large white blooms. I just have to keep trying as I love all flowers and in this heat anything which will flower is a friend of mine.
Paul
Every seed has an optimum temperature for germination. With Petunias it'a 80 degrees. That does not mean that they won't germinate at varying temperatures, just that that is the optimum temperature. What your seed package is telling you is that Forget-me-nots like to be germinated cool. The temperature is just a guideline. That cool temperature is why, when they reseed themselves, they come up in the very early spring.
I wouldn't start them now. It is too hot for them to germinate properly. Wait until your weather cools
Try using skewers to plant small seed when starting your plant trays or peat pellets. much cheaper than those $15.00 to $20.00 gadgets that are sold. AND it works good. Here's how there are 2 sizes of skewers the small one works great for small seed, cut off the sharp point for eye safety then cut it in half. Now (1)get a small bowel (2)a clean cloth the size of a wash cloth and (3)a coffee cup saucer. get the cloth soppin wet and place it in the bowel set it on you potting table then sprinkle a few seeds on the saucer and move the saucer or shake very gently to put space between the seed. Next pick up your 1/2 skewer touch it to the wet cloth and flick off any excess water. next touch it to one single seed and the wetness will cause the seed to stick well enough to lift and poke it into your peat pellet or growing medium and tuck soil over it 1/8 or 1/4 inch deep. that's it simple and when you get the swing of it you will just have to tell someone else how neat it works. Edmac
Do most people go strongly by packet for weeks planted indoors before planting out? I am in Mississippi and would like to start broccoli....cauliflower...and collard seeds for fall when the time is right(late SEP or early OCT. plant out date).....THANKS
How much of a seed is buried into the soil? I "buried" about 50% to 70% of the seed and the top is showing very much and dries out quickly within minutes, yet most of the sides and the "bottom" is buried into the soil. Is this the right way to plant these seeds? Also, which "side" of the seed should face up/light? There's an "eye" of the seed - should it be buried or visible? Can someone post photos how exactly to place Dracaena Draco seeds into the soil?
The summer and winter savory will do fine - they are both pretty fast growers. My March starts are huge now. Fennel should also be ok, but you might not get seeds before frost if that's what you're after.
I don't know about caraway as I haven't had any luck with it myself.
Try the link for info.
Here is a link that might be useful: Pelargonium Basics
IMO the best way to germinate seeds...
use those olive garden takeout containers, fill with soil
sprinkle the seeds on the top of the soil
mist the soil so the surface is moist a couple times a day and keep the container covered with the lid it comes with
keep out of direct sunlight
I use old window screens to cover my raised beds when I direct saw. They are still mounted on light frames so they just span across the raised bed frame. They still let the light and water through but no animal or bird gets the seeds.
You dont say where you are, My corn germinated in a week. Dont plant too deep.
Squirrels or chipmonks. you need a tunnel of chicken wire made in a hoop and stuck in the ground--or individual bowl shaped ones. The sunflower will grow up through the chicken wire and The squirrels can't get the seed. Once it's sprouted you can remove the cage
Natanya, there are many columbine/aquilegia, do you know which you have? They have different germination requirements, some will germinate after a chill of a couple of weeks, some with no chill and can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to several months to germinate at room temp, others need many months at approx 40F.
And the chill (if needed) has to be moist to do any good. Dry in the refrigerator is just storage - a chill to stratify must be done moist.
I guess I didn't answer what you asked--mamashakesit. If the earwigs didn't leave any leaves on your seedlings then I don't think there is any hope for them.
They chewed on my Hollyhocks--grown from this years seed-- too but left some lacy leaves. I just noticed this morning that they are sending out new shoots from the center. So that is good.
What is not good is that a squirrel has discovered my earwig traps and is pulling them out and eating the contents. I don't know how it is not making him sick. I guess I'll have to use something that has more weight to it. He removed the lid from the one margarine container I had but I guess he couldn't get the container out of the ground.
I've been using that concoction for a couple of days now. It is catching quite a few of them. It looks like they left some of the tiniest of tiny little leaves, so hopefully a couple of them will come back.
Thanks!