6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

What a coincidence! It's going to be a hectic weekend; my birthday is the 30th, and that's also my parents wedding anniversary. This year is their 40th, and they are having a big party, for which I am making 9 dozen cupcakes. Can you say stress?? :)

I was thinking the same thing, too, that it can't be good for all of the containers to be so wet for this long, but I didn't want to put them under the overhang and limit their sun even more. I'll bring in what I can fit under my basement light setup tonight; it's supposed to be sunny tomorrow (knock wood PLEASE don't jinx it) so I can stick them back outside in the morning.

I would gladly send you some of this rain, I have never seen it rain this much for this many days in a row. We had a terrible winter, too, with several snowstorms that left feet of snow behind- not typical at ALL.

Sleepy:

Make your cupcakes now and freeze them uniced. Then the day before the wedding or even the day of the Anniversary, bring them up and ice them frozen. They are much easier to ice when they are frozen. I'd use the canned icing too. I find it just as good as home made and a heck of a lot less bother--especially the cream cheese one.

May is a big month in my family too. My husband's birthday is the 21st, our Anniversary the 29th and my son's birthday the 31st. Add in Mother's and Father's days and it is a pretty packed month.

The seed count tends to depend on whether it's a special variety and also whether it's something that doesn't set a lot of seed. I haven't bought anything from Burpee in quite some time. I ordered Crambe cordifolia seeds about 2 years ago from Thompson & Morgan. They sent 6 seeds. All six seeds germinated, and I now have 6 huge plants (one of them bloomed for the first time this year, it was spectacular!).

When I grew a lot of veggies as a kid, we tended to put 3 seeds in each mound for squash, so 6 seeds does sound a bit skimpy! Of course, 3 plants of zucchini will serve the needs of a fairly large city.

--Ron

This is an old thread, but I have my two cents to add. I bought Burpee Candy Cane zinnia seeds back in March, planted them early, and patiently waited for them to bud. Candy Canes are red and white - these came up all yellow. I am NOT happy. I also bought a pack of purple prince and every flower is a slightly different color purple. I guess that's okay, but they don't look like the photo on the seed packet. :(
Has anyone else had problems this year with the flowers seeds not being what you bought?

You started them far too early. By now they are sure to be very stressed and weak. No matter what is done now, I would not expect much from these plants. Al

One quick question, hope somebody knows the answer?
Are black cherry cherry tomato's real heirlooms? or are they
a hybrid? I read they were invented by a gentlemen named Sapp, in Florida.
I want to save the seeds if in fact they will be true
to this years plant.

Thank you
Tom

She is a lawyer.... she can handle it : )

Now you can say you are a mushroom farmer : )

Keriann~

'Shrooms, man. Between this and the pot farm that the guy at food mart thinks I am running, I may be getting a visit from the feds before long. :) I just can't believe it burst right out the side of the cup like that; I mean, those cups can get a little soggy, but it still usually takes some effort to poke/tear through them. That's one determined mushroom!

A week ago I transplaned 5 Hyacinth Bean plants I started from seed and none of them are going to make it. I'll just plant new seeds in another week or so. The cold nights we've been having were too much for these plants.

Everyone, thanks for the comments.

We had some warmer weather of the last couple of days in Chicago and both the vines did well overnight. I planted everything in containers on Sunday and the vines are doing well.

I think that the Hyacinth in particular was just more sensitive to cold/windy weather. I'll remember that for next year.

Take care, Pat

Oh, and btw Keriann- there are several buds on my biggest nonstop begonias now! They've come a long way from the puny, struggling little things that they were a few months ago. I'll take some pics when they open. :)

Hey Sleepy I am so excited about your begonias :) I can not wait to 'see' them.

Wedding: I think because it is fun and casual, your arrangements should have the same feeling. It is hard to get specific becuase every plant s different, some more mature, some blooming ect. I would wing it and put things together that visual look good. Make sure you take into consideration the height of the conatiner when planting. I have done some amazing pots with all of the same flower and then some mixed... just different looks.

You have a great eye, I would trust it on these arragements. Play around with them, it will come to you!

Keriann~

I have grown annual poppies that reseed every year for me. I start them in styrofoam cups and although poppies hate to be transplanted, I planted the seedlings early enough that they grew fine for me. They would have probably done better direct sown, but at least you know that there may be some hope for your peat pot poppies! ;) California poppies are really good re-seeders for me.

I think the California poppies are the pretty pink ones? I have those and they do reseed for me like crazy too. They are so pretty like paper machete. I also have grown the Oriental Poppies from seed. I direct sowed those too. The first yr. they were just leaves and the second they bloomed. They should be blooming for me in a few weeks... Very robust plant.

Ah, I have asked myself that question on more than one occasion over the years.

I was young and foolish and thought I was in love. So I quit my job and moved back here to follow my heart. I guess it turned out okay. At least I ended up with three of my kids from that ill-fated path. They are worth it.

So you're in HI, momstar? Wow, that was a trek, huh? I suppose the scenery is nothing to scoff at at least?

Yes that would be ok, but a better solution would be to set them outside in late afternoon and bring them in mid morning if that's possible. That is if you are not getting frost. Although Allyssum withstands frost these have been grown indoors. Next year put your basket outside in early spring and let them come up and grow out there.

That number of plants in that size container is plenty of room for Allyssum. They have a very small root system

Thanks a lot oilpainter...hope my alyssum come up nice. this is the first year I am starting from seeds.

will follow what ur advice for next year too..

Great responses people! I brought my morning glory seeds to work with me. (I know, I'm hopeless. But I'm also bored to death.) I've got an emory board and I'm going to scarify them then plant them when I get home.

I'll let you know how it works.

One question, does scarifying recommended for pepper seeds?

Here are some good seed starting tips for vegetables.

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Starting Tips

Thanks.

I just soak them in water overnight and plant them the following day. Mine usually sprout within 10 days and I've always had just about 100% germination. I cover the pots to retain moisture and keep them somewhere warm but I don't use bottom heat. My problem is that my growing season isn't long enough and if not started very early inside I don't get flowers.