6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

thank you Al!

Use my link below if you want to buy one. They are only 12.95. And here is a good link for the instructions: http://kansasa.blogspot.com/2007/04/seedling-pot-maker-with-gardening.html

Here is a link that might be useful: News Paper Pot Maker

I remember reading somewhere it has short viability. You might get lucky if you find someone who grows the plant and will send you fresh seed when available.

The seed pod needs to be a little squishy, I find. Then cut it open to reveal nice peppercorn size white seeds. As the previous message noted, clean seed in water removing webbing and leave in water 24 hours. Sow in soil with 1/4 inch or so below soil level. I leave them outside in the SF Bay Area. I get hundreds of sprouts. I have some one year old sprouts of Myrtle Wolf's Pink x ? if you'd like some-but you need to be in the appropriate growing climate. Or, I can send some seed later this year.

Steve

Got it! Thank you. I have a small light over them part time, and they are next to window, but I guess I need to increase light. Wonderful people here!

Just wanted to post update -- I ended up moving all herbs to the front porch until I can come up with better light solution inside. At first the herbs were looking bad, I had to reseed some, but now they are full of life and I am using them in my cooking. Thank you.

I managed to plant perennial poppies in the early summer last year. I direct seeded them in the garden area. Since I had some difficulty with them before, I dug a hole where I was planting them and filled it with moisture control potting soil. The seedlings sprang up nicely and I kept them well tended to make sure they did not dry out in the hot summer. They were mulched for the winter and I removed the covering in the spring little by little as they started to come up.

They did not blossom that first year, but most of them appeared to come back this year and blossomed beautifully!

The ones I scattered in early spring didn't come up, but the ones I winter sowed did. They weren't Oriental though.

Maybe just after they germinated they didn't get enough water? Or too much like after a hard rain? I don't experience any damping off when direct sowing outside so I doubt it's that. I attribute my scattering failure to dry soil, but has it ever rained since. It says on the packet to scatter them in the fall or early spring when the soil is damp and cold. Said to sow in circles, and clumps of about 1" diameter and 2" tall can be transplanted.

Those seeds that require light to germinate have to be kept moist until they put down deep enough roots, but yours evidently got enough moisture to germinate.

hmmm...I am not sure if they are liatris or nutsedge. They are growing through relatively thick pine nugget mulch. I didn't think liatris could do that since it is a prairie plant. I guess I will just wait and see since I know what nutsedge looks like when it blooms. Thanks!

i started liatris seedlings from the seeds of some plants i have.it was very easy.they do look like blades of grass when they first sprout.

mine are the same. I am gonna try a new batch soon. Gonna try the tips eyes5 shared. thanks

I saw in a book that you can cover the seed with cardboard - it helps retain soil moisture. Then peek every day so that you can remove the cardboard when the seeds germinate.

And I agree 100% about soaking the seeds. That works very well. Maureen

I've read that until they get "true" leaves they should be in a soiless potting mix???
The gourds are doing great, however, my basil plants are dying:(

Vic, why did your basil die? I started them in potting mix in gr house and their about 2 in. tall but crowded. Little black gnats? are pretty thick this morn so may try transplanting them today, each in their own 1/2 gal pot. Can't remember the natural rem. for gnats. I need to know what you did wrong so I won't duplicate that. Not selfish am I?