6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
morz8(Washington Coast Z8b)

Monarda Raspberry Wine is a hybrid - your plants grown from seed may or may not resemble their parent.

Seeds are small -approx 1/32" across and tan colored. Gather the mature seed heads (dried flowers) and place on a plate to dry for a few days. Use a fine meshed kitchen sieve to filter out the seeds, if you can't get all the chaff removed, sow it along with the seed - doesn't hurt anything.

They should germinate in approx 2 weeks @70F, barely cover seed if at all, some light may be beneficial to germination.

    Bookmark     April 27, 2007 at 10:33PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
dandy_line(3B (Brainerd, Mn))

I collected seed heads from some nice bright red monarda last fall and kept them in the fridge. When I went to sow them this spring I couldn't tell the seeds from the chaff but just sowed it all. They germinated about %200 in 10 days.

    Bookmark     April 28, 2007 at 3:43PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
busylizzy(z5 PA)

alyssum can be direct sown, lobelia I read needs to be 10-12 weeks before last frost date sown indoors.
I mix small seeds with either sawdust or contactors sand, 3 parts inert to 1 part seed. After the inert and seed are mixed divide this in 1/2. Sow the area once then go back again for a second sowing with the other half for full coverage.
Either distribute with a salt shaker for the sand or for the larger areas I use a broadcast spreader.

    Bookmark     April 28, 2007 at 8:26AM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
saturn69

ok no I didn't get no pollinator for sure Cooperstown they say is 85 days and sugarbaby says 75 days will that work fine?

    Bookmark     April 22, 2007 at 1:22AM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
saturn69

Would sugar baby bush(only 3-3.5 ft) variety pollinate the seedless variety, cause I'm trying to save space?

    Bookmark     April 27, 2007 at 10:10PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
kudzu9(Zone 8a - PNW)

Heirloom seeds should not pose any special problems. I started mainly heirloom seeds 5 weeks ago in my greenhouse using propagation trays and heating mats and had a 90-95% success rate; most seedlings came up in 3-7 days. What method do you use to start your seeds?

    Bookmark     April 27, 2007 at 2:10PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
jackied164(z6 MA)

I have done it all with morning glories and in the end soaking the seeds overnight and planting directly is equal to everyother method.

    Bookmark     April 26, 2007 at 10:49PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
tcs1366

>>I put some out in a window box trellis last week and they are vining up it already!!

great to hear.

I was planning on moving them out in the garden next week. we are expecting some warm weather, with not cold nights.... so this gives me hope.

thanks for the info

    Bookmark     April 27, 2007 at 8:50AM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
baci(z10Ca)

Figs can start from seed but need to be wasp pollinated, which does not always happen. Expect a low germination. I start mine in sphagnum. They also start in soil  sometimes the birds transplant seeds from neighboring trees. Some varieties of ficus are very slow growing, so expect to watch seedlings very closely the first couple of years.
Fresh is going to be better, but you will lose nothing by trying. If the figs were sun dried without treatment your changes are improved.
Most people will encourage you to start by cutting. I encourage seed experimentation  I have obtained some rare varieties not available by cutting just because my seeds germinated.

    Bookmark     April 27, 2007 at 8:47AM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
parad0x(Z7 Philadelphia)

Odd....My marigolds develop purple tinged and spotted foliage even before setting outside. I could be wrong, but I think it's normal. I'm sure somebody more knowledgeable will chime in.

Todd In Philly

    Bookmark     April 25, 2007 at 7:24AM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
zinniafan

Now it is turning brownish. It isn't on all of the plants, just a few snowdrift marigolds that are next to eachother. I don't know if it is a disease that is spreading, or a normal reaction that takes a while to happen. Any thoughts?

    Bookmark     April 27, 2007 at 8:36AM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

They won't be ready to put out by your planting date, but who cares about that?

    Bookmark     April 26, 2007 at 12:09PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
yeti00

I had 1 tray get hit by what I can only imagine was Damp off this year... I started watering everything else with either chamomile tea or 1:9 3% peroxide less frequently (currently bottom watering 1x/day, but was misting 2x/day) and placed 24/7 fans on everything... Also started bringing hardier plants outdoors on warm mornings for more "breeze". Luckily, no other trays have been hit so far. Hope that helps,

Amy

    Bookmark     April 23, 2007 at 4:50PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
catlaughing

My tomatoes got Damp this year. I stopped watering from beneath, and spritzed with chamomile tea instead, sprinkled cinnamon, and set three fans oscillating on them all day and night. It saved the day, plus everything smelled wonderful for a week.

    Bookmark     April 26, 2007 at 10:55AM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

You need to make a nuisance of yourself at all of the local garden centers! Spy and take notes about what they carry so that you can exert your energy on plants that won't be so readily available. I began seeing 'Silver Falls' at the stores several years ago.

All of the work is really worth it when you know that you've produced something a bit out of the ordinary.

    Bookmark     April 25, 2007 at 10:43AM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
dandy_line(3B (Brainerd, Mn))

I germinate lots of Gaillardia from my own seed. In fact the FanFare shape seems to show up naturally in my garden.
Gaillardia needs hot temps to germinate here so I have to wait until June to start them. In your case you can start earlier. Just put them in soil any which way-they will germinate in spite of what we do. Good luck.

    Bookmark     April 23, 2007 at 8:05PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
bakemom_gw(z6 Central Ohio)

I tend to late winter sow or spring sow them. Fanfare shows up in my batches too. Seems like the Fanfare is a little shorter lived than regular gaillardia. Perhaps 2-3 years for mine.

Ditto on the shuttlecocks. They know what to do and which way to grow.

    Bookmark     April 24, 2007 at 10:26PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
kek19

Thanks for the tip. Btw, there are only 2 of each of the summer squash zuchinni, and cucumbers. Kinda silly huh?

    Bookmark     April 24, 2007 at 3:53PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
sheltieche

you can separate everything and save all seedlings you want. At this stage disturbance to root will be minimal if you gentle with your hands.

    Bookmark     April 24, 2007 at 10:10PM
Sign Up to comment
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
confusedat45

Maybe if you buy a few already flowering, stinky marigolds and put them by your "babies" the squirrels will leave them alone. Works to keep deer away, might with squirrels.

    Bookmark     April 7, 2007 at 11:17PM
Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo
carolkcmo_5(5)

My first set of seedlings were planted and the squirrels dug them up (same as last year). I bought repellent, and it worked part way.

I also planted lettuce and peas in tubs and the squirrels dug large holes (same as last year).

Therefore: I laid down plastic chicken wire, pegged it down, and replanted in large and small containers. I now have spinach, lettuce, peas, beans, squash, cucumbers in the protected tubs or buckets. We are eating the spinach and lettuce - they really look good and taste great. The squirrels have tried to dig, but have finally given up.

I also have new seeds in baggies outdoors. When they are ready I will use the chicken wire this time for the garden. I have spent too many hours, too much money, and too much emotion to let those varmints win. If it takes wire and pegs, so be it. Carol

    Bookmark     April 24, 2007 at 9:37PM
Sign Up to comment
© 2015 Houzz Inc. Houzz® The new way to design your home™