6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
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!
newbie in NJ I think it is time to call hardyplants.
They seems to be having problems with emails. I had to call too and got my seeds few days later.
I still will use them in future they decent company and everyone is allowed to have some glitches once in a while.
There's a number of small seed vendors that I like. JL Hudson has a great selection and their seeds are always fresh. I like Diane's Seeds as well. Summer Hill Seeds, Garden Store n More, Trade Winds Fruit (they have lots of tropicals, not only fruit), Silverhill Seeds, Lonnie's Bulk Seeds, Country Garden and Seed Sprout for brug seeds and a good Ebay seed source is One Stop Poppy Shop. There's others but I can't think of them offhand.
Karyn
Thanks for reply, Its is PRO-MIX .. After reading your reply, I maybe over watering.. I'm waiting a day or so between watering, maybe i'm watering to much when i do water.. The seeds were dry and in great shape, I scuffed the ends up slightly and soaked them in water for 24 hours. The Wisteria has a hard shell coat..
aspin, I suspect you are keeping the soil too moist. Some sowers report that watering with chamomile tea, or dusting the top of the soil with cinnamon stops the 'fuzz' if it has started. I will generally top my seed pots with a layer of vermiculite or chick grit, both light enough that seeds push up easily through it but neither make good habitat for algae, mold, mildew and, for those pots you may have around that take months to germinate - moss.
You're right, the mulch won't know a good seed from a bad one and inhibiting weed seeds from germinating is a function of mulch.
Pull it back in the areas where you want to direct sow your annuals, then when they are large enough, push the mulch back into place around them. Or if the mulch has decomposed enough from when you placed it, you could turn it under just in the planting spots you want to use, then replace/refresh that when your annuals have gained a little size.
You may also want to try to germinate those herb seeds without any bottom heat. They may not need it. I have had success starting oregano, thyme and parsely without any bottom heat. I just started them in a seed starting tray and put them under lights right away (this way if they sprout up while I'm at work they will have light right away).
Yes, and some of those seeds will benefit from or need a period of cold to help break dormancy. So winter sowing will provide this in your zone. Most perennials won't bloom until next year anyway. So you really don't need to get them going as early as possible (or do you?). Do you have seeds of all of these already? Your list is so large. Can you narrow down to a few must-haves?
Good question, got me digging found this.
Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Coffee
If you insist :D
See paragraph 3 under Identification and Life Cycle....
Here is a link that might be useful: Dandelion Management
Just so you don't feel so alone... I actually pick 'em and blow 'em in hopes of more growning!! They are great forage for my animals. I'm sure alot of people would have heart attacks at some of the "weeds" I pick and scatter the seeds!LOL! But, forage is forage, and it's only a "weed" if it's not wanted...right?
Cristi
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