6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

This year I have done from your list so far broccoli, tomatoes and basil. All three sprouted withing 2-3 days sitting near my woodstove. I put them in soilless mix at day 4-6 in all cases. I can't advise on the others in your list.

Are you looking closely at the seeds? Open up a filter and check them out. The basil especially was hard to see germination when it first started.

Are you sure your seeds are viable?

Just thoughts, I too am a noob on the filter method but I've had great luck so far....too much luck, I've got far too many tomatoes.

The tomatoes, peppers and eggplant could take a good 2-3 weeks to germinate. I started my tomatoes and peppers on a heat mat and saw germination of the tomatoes in less than a week. The peppers were a little slower and generally took 3 weeks...a few straglers are still sprouting now almost 4 weeks later.
I also just started eggplant on heat mat at 85 and from what I read they will likely take 3 weeks to germinate. I've never had much luck with them but never tried them with the heat mat this warm so maybe that was the problem. The few times they have germinated for me they did take quite a long time (at least 4 weeks).
I'm waiting on my broccoli right now (only been a couple of days) but I generally give them all at least a couple of weeks before I get too worried about them :)

I hope that helps :)

No personal experience with one of these, jamjam, so take this with a grain of salt, ok? From what I have read about them, I'd share your fears of too much heat and possible damage. Went through all the lighting systems offered in my greenhouse supplier catalogs and found no use of them. Maybe no one else thought of it yet. ;)

I suppose you could try it and keep a close eye on them - see how it goes - could be great!

Dave

I've been doing some research, Dave, and I think this and grow lights are actually exactly the same thing. I'm going to contact the manufacturer and find out for sure, as nobody could give me a definitive answer. Some people in the PNW forum speculated that the lights might not be strong enough! But no one actually had one and had tried it. I'm pretty confident it will work now, but I'll try to find out for sure. BTW, the lights aren't "hot" to the touch at all when turned on, which I discovered the other day.

Hi happy - since you have a mixed bag of seeds go for 75 - it's a bit low for some and a bit high for others but should work. If you see the soil drying out too quickly then lower it to 70. Keep in mind that with a waterbed mat you have to have the temp probe stuck into a cup of soil too. I just fill a separate coffee cup with my damp potting mix and stick the temp probe in it and set it on the heat mat. It controls the heat cycle of the mat.

One other tip - sometimes setting the trays directly on the heat mat can melt and warp your tray. Small 1/4" spacers of wood under the corners help prevent that while still letting the soil heat.

Good luck! ;)

Dave

I got 2 in a trade recently. I don't know which variety of Mesquite Tree they were but both germminated quickly and are growing well. I'll check back through my emails and see if I can find who I got them from. Maybe they can tell you where they got them.
Karyn

I've gone through my old emails and can't figure out who sent the mesquite seeds. Maybe the person who sent them will see this post.
Karyn

Zinnias transplant from seedling pots to sale size pots readily with very slight check in growth. Starting in seed mix and transplanting to potting mix I find to be the best choice. Al

Here is a link to the breeders culture sheet for Zinnia Profusion. You should find all the info you need!

Here is a link that might be useful: Sakata Seed

If they are growing "fuzz", zgarden, then my best guess is they are too wet as the fuzz is fungus growth. That would also explain the stunted growth. Are they getting enough light, enough air circulation (try a small fan)? Try drying them out, cut back on the watering, and improve the air flow and I'll bet they perk up. Good luck.

Dave

lightly cover the seed soil temp 70F & takes 3-10 days to germinate.

Thanks

Great photos John. Good proof that compost works! ;) Thanks for posting them.

Dave

I planted my broccoli, cauliflower, gooseberry, and tomato seeds once they germinated in the filters. I carefully plucked them from the filter and put them directly on moistened soil-less mix then covered lightly with more soil less mix. That then went under the lights. Plants popped up and are very happy.

HTH

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's some instructions with pictures

HTH covered it well - transplant as soon as they sprout (they won't live long on the filter) and use any soil-less mix you want.

If you want more info I have linked numerous "baggie method" discussions for you below. There is also a FAQ here on how to do it.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Baggie method discussions

There are 2 forums seed saving & exchange they will be able to help you.......

'Blue Spires' is a Cultivar, therefore starting from seed may not come true.

Gardens North does sell the species PEROVSKIA atriplicifolia.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardens North