6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
I would agree with the others on most accounts. Keep in mind some seeds actually prefer to not have bottom heat. I believe cool season crops like broccoli can actually be hindered by it. That said, bottom heat does speed germination for a lot of seeds ;)
Also make sure to get the lights on right away after germination to prevent the seedlings from getting "leggy" (or stretching to find light).
This is my first year using heat mat and lights. Sowed in 72 pack cell tray. Separated cells into 9 cell packs so I could move off heat when different varieties germinated.
The Salvia coccinea 'Lady in Red' and 'Coral Nymph' germinated in TWO DAYS!
About 60% 'Lady in Red' are showing full tiny cotyledons at soil level and 30-40% 'Coral Nymph are just breaking surface with tiny green things.
Best to move them off heat mat and under very close lights (no dome anymore) IMMEDIATELY or wait til morning so they're good and clear of soil?
Not going to move to larger container for a while since they're so tiny.
I had light on over domed cell pack even though not needed for germination. Chalk it up to newbie nerves.
Didn't think I'd have to make this move so soon since germination instructions said they take 4 weeks or longer @68F and if no germination try 4 weeks @39F.
Thanks for help is anyone sees this tonight!
The spent flower needs to stay on the plant until a seed pod forms and ripens in order for you to have mature seeds to harvest.
Photo of seed pod and seeds here -
Here is a link that might be useful: Pod and seeds
no. Not dahlias. But thank you.
I believe the word star is in their name. Pink Star or something. I thought it was something like, Clarkia, Lewisia, Nemesia...something in an ia ending, but it's none of those.
And Unwins claims they dont' know of such a seed. Strange how I have their seed pkg.
I haven't tried starting my parsley seeds yet; for the past few years I throw 'em in the garden when it warms up (both Italian & curly). They have overwintered temps down to -35C and about 4 feet of snow and come back up the next year just fine. This year, I ordered some seeds from Franchi Sementi - it looks like it's called Gigante - a flat-leaf Italian variety. Here's what it says on the back of the seed package:
..."75-80 days from direct seed. Prefers full sun and a loose fertile soil. Beging sowing in early spring, if direct seeding, 4-5 seeds every 12". Either thin or gro in a clump. Slow to germinate (up to 2-3 weeks), so keep moist and be patient. If using transplants, start 6 weeks before set out date, 5-6 seeds per 4" pot covered with 1/4" soil mix. Try starting second crop in late July."...
By the way, here's what I love about these Franchi seeds - a package was only $2.95, and it contains 4500 seeds per PACKET!!! That's right, 4500 seeds!! San Marzano roma tomatoes? Same packet price, and there's a minimum of 350 seeds per packet - yikes again! Tremendous bargain as far as I'm concerned...anyways, good luck with the parsley! Patty
That's great news! I've got black turtle beans (brought home from a vacation in Cancun last year), gigantic Lima beans (from a Caribbean food store), canneloni beans (Safeway), etc., that I am now going to try growing. This question had occurred to me yesterday as I was soaking some of these Lima beans for bean dip. Great way to save on buying these kinds of seeds!
greatfulgardner3300
Never heard of a rain garden before. After reading your posting it sounds like a bog garden but maybe dryer? The flower list sounds like the list for the bog garden. I would like to build one where the creek overflows in early spring.
gmom2-6boys
Sharon
Another method -
"Both male and female plants are required for seed production. Sow fresh seeds in a coldframe as soon as they are ripe in the fall. "Green" seeds that are fully developed, but not yet dry and hard, germinate most readily; they can be expected to sprout in the spring when Fall sown.
If stored, seeds should be warm stratified for 2-3 months at 60ºF then cold stratified for 2-3 more months. It may take them a year to germinate when brought back to 60ºF.
(Seed production can be low/sparse and favored by finches so watch carefully so you don't time it wrong and lose them before harvest)
Whew! I felt like I was playing Operation potting up those tiny seedlings to 16 oz cups, but it is now done. I think I may loose the first one I did. ;) I'm glad they have new homes. The root clusters were pulling out half the potting mix from the Jiffy cups. Anyways, it's done...yay!
Ok, here are the pictures, after transplanting what I had enough soil for, to 16 oz plastic cups. I also did some labelling. :) Still not good enough though, as I lost track of a few of my pellets (Jalapeno's? maybe...Serrano's? maybe). Anyways, I feel better now knowing that all of my tomatoes are in bigger cups. The first picture is a few of my Cherry Tomatoes, started on March 10th. The second picture is my remaining seedlings (all about 1 & 1/2 to 3 inches). Potting up early makes sooooo much of a difference!...
Really. $10 should buy you at least 2 flowering plants.
Much less expensive Gerbera seeds at sunrise seeds
Here is a link that might be useful: Gerberas at Sunrise seeds