6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed


I got mine to sprout inside last year. Heres what i did:
Spread germination mix in a shallow container,sprinked the seed over the mix, and did not cover the seed up. Then i used a spray bottle to mist the seed and covered the top of the container with a piece of clear plastic to keep in moisture and humidity. Place them in a window where they will get plenty of sun, or under grow lights if you have them, and keep evenly moist. The temps I had inside where probably around 68 to 70 degrees. I didn't get them all to germinate this way, but i would say about half did. Good Luck!!!
Sarah


Have started the following seed the last two months
asparagus fern, gerbera, rosemary, cineraria, dracaena, campanula, cyclamen, begonia, crossandra, pansy, lavender,heuchera, aquilegia, exacum, eustoma, artichoke, cuphea, black eyed susan, gyposphila, impatiens gazania, crape myrtle,sagina, sempervivum, parsley, petunia, godetia, fuchsia, stock, armeria, dahlia, daisy (annual),
Starting next month (january) will realy start the seeds.
All are planed to be available for sale on 1 April.



For starting plants in my basement I use a 4x2 folding table with 4 shop lights hanging over it. It can handle 4 trays which hold 21 newspaper pots each, so 81 plants. The table I picked up from the side of the road (someone was throwing it out, but I have seen them for about $20), the shop lights(4) were less than $20 each and I use the cheap bulbs (>$2 each). The lights are suspended using the S hooks that come with them, clothes line, and eye screws(8) and lanyards(4) in my floor joists, so I can raise and lower them individually.

I managed to get a shelf at Lowes. It was really supposed to be some sort of green house. A plastic cover came with it but I've put that aside for now. I have the shop lights ($9 each. Yay!) hanging on the shelves and it seems pretty good so far.
Thanks for all your help!


I just read what my book (The Plant Propagators' Bible) says about growing these from seed. She (Miranda Smith) says:
"You can purchase seeds for some cultivars. Plant them early inside. They require light to germinate and respond best to daytime soil temperatures of 65 degrees and nighttime temperatures of 50 to 55. They will germinate in 1-3 months, so prick out seedlings as they germinate, but don't throw away the flat."
She mentions nothing about stratification. What do you guys/gals think?

Thanks for trying there plant lady in Colorado. I don't think bulk seed is available and the plant is so easily propagated from cuttings. We need so many and thought the seed way might be the way to go cost wise. So we'll probably end up buying plugs.
I have a cousin living in the Springs and is a nurse as well. I'm pretty sure she works at Ft. Carson. Name's Linda and she's been there a while.
Thanks again
Marshall

I've never worked at Ft Carson, so I'm sure I don't know your cousin.
As for the plumbago....
I have a huge patch of it, but I can't ever remember seeing any seed.
I'm sure it's there, but must be really small.
Maybe that's why we can't find it for sale.
Kathy



I agree with nckvilledudes - there are far too many variables involved. No way to justify a blanket statement that things do better in OR out of a container.
size of container (most use one too small)
type of container (self-watering, clay, plastic, etc.)
color of container
sun exposure
potting mix used (soil-less only in containers)
fertilization/watering regime
garden soil tilth
garden soil nutrient levels
type of plant
pests
etc.
If you are having consistently poor results with container plants then I'd suspect it is because a) the containers are too small and b) you are using a poor quality mix or worse, garden dirt, in the containers.
Dave


I think all those varieties would do better if winter sown. The datura might not depending on the variety. If it's one of the Metels I'd just soak it in water and sow it in soil somewhere warm. I'm not sure if any would do well with the baggie method of germination or not. If you have enough seed why don't you try a few different methods.
Thanks for the responses.
I did throw some in baggies, I will let them sit in the fridge for a week and then take them out for warm germ. I just have this urgent 'need' to see first year blooms, so I wanted to start early!:) I will also WS some.
Yes, the daturas are the metel kind - black current swirl, I did not sow those yet. Are they fast or slow germinating? Is it correct they are fast growers?