6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Thank you very , very much.
Why are the few sources I found elsewere so varied. Some say germination in 6-9 days, some say you must use sandpaper.
What kind of growth rate and germination rate have you seen with these?
Do they flower after a year or so?
Thank you again.
Sarcococca - sow (cleaned of pulp) fresh seed 55 - 65o for germination in 30 - 120 days. No pretreatment necessary, but I've had good germination with these sowing in late winter by soaking overnight, sowing and placing the pots outdoors where the seeds may get days in the 50s, occasionally 60s and much cooler nights. Cover seed by approx 1/8", top with some grit, protect from birds. I pot the seedlings individually when a few weeks old, and leave them in their pots an additional year
I used one last year and it worked great. I put the plastic cover on it and put it out on my deck in mid
Apr.. opening it after the sun came around on my deck about 10 am then closed it again around suppertime., finally removing it when the danger of frost had gone.
Hello goats (cristi)
That is a wonderful idea, I have 2 small fish tanks I could easily add seeds to and put in a south side window. I am in zone 5 so I think the south is best here.
Also, I noticed your name, It is not often that I see someone spell Cristi the same way I do!
Thank you for the info =)
Cristi
This is so very cute and funny =), when my kids were younger they were just as curious. Do start over again, give your little ones a chance to redeem themselves and have fun with all the miss haps. Growing seeds can be just as much fun for the little ones as it is for us older kids at heart.
That is exactly why I do mine outside like Shellva. A couple of years ago my son (at the time 3yrs old) decided to play with all of my tomato sprouts. Now, they help me tuck the seeds in their little dirt beds (milk jugs) blow them a kiss goodnight, and once a week we all go outside to check to see if they have awoken yet. My youngest son (now 4) is amazed that they are still sleeping! lol I must say, it is good to be able to garden with them. I let them each sow a couple of containers of edible seeds (tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, peppers etc.) and they are so excited when they are able to actually eat off of their own plants! Plus it then shows them that if they take good care of them they will continue to grow. Good luck with whatever you do.
Hi Rokal,
I went to the Home Depot yesterday and I did find these 9 dollar commercial electric shop lights but they were only for T12 bulbs. Am I looking at the wrong ones ? The cheapest once that were T8 were 17 dollars. Which ones should I choose ? Or can you put T8 bulbs in T12 shop lights ? I'm sorry for all my questions, but this is my first year using lights.
Thanks,
Dennis
nissy12,
The Commercial Electric shop lights that I purchased from HD operate both T-12 and T-8 bulbs. Mine have an electronic ballast as opposed to the outdated magnetic ballast. I would ask a sales clerk to confirm that this newer model can power T-8 lamps. If they can't help, buy one and open up the box. It should give you this information on the fixture.
Here are the specifics on the model that I purchased several years ago:
Commercial Electric 4 Ft. Shop LightModel HBSL-15
Internet/Catalog 162474
Store SKU # 140 904
Ballast: Sunpark SL-15 (electronic)
Regards,
Rokal
Mimosa is a highly invasive species. I admit, they are attractive, buy not long lived, and you'll get hundreds of seedlings coming up all over. This tree is really bad if you live near any wild areas. It will quickly overtake stream zones. Please consider a different species.
Since no one else has commented... The Lee Valley seed starting kit that I have has an open hole at the bottom where the soiless mix contacts the mat. I think that cell packs would not allow for enough soil contact unless the bottom is cut open.
My mom gave me some seeds from 2000 (or maybe 2001, anyway, they were fairly old). This last summer I wasn't sure if they would sprout, so I decided to try them all. I planted them in pots outside (after the last frost etc). They all germinated and I then planted them in the garden and they got huge (they were the huge kind to begin with). Sounds like almost anything you do will work.
I also do both. Only I don't start mine indoors at all. I start them in milk jugs in March and put the jugs on my deck. I aslo direct sow. I haven't seen one way work better than the other.
I like the jugs because I do a better job of keeping up with what is what since I usually grow at least 5 different sunflowers. When I direct sow I tend to forget what I put where.
GREAT news!! I assume they are still there, if they didn't float away.... they had not started to germinate as of yet, which is a good thing.
I have made drainage holes on the bottom of the pans and now all I need to do is wait and see.
Thank you so much for any and all responses to my question!
Thanks. Funny thing is, I just bought some Zinnia seeds today.
I also bought some xeranthemums. Any other ideas would be great.
Thanks
Hi Rednekgr, Ck out on 2nd page of WS I asked the same question, as my daughter is getting married end of June. There is some good ideas posted over there. God bless your future marriage.
Tammy