Germination - light or darkness?

[tim]

And surface sowing. Does anyone have note of what likes what?? = Tim

[tim]

[RichardS]

I just tend to go by whatever is recommended on the back of the seed packets....

However, I did forget to soak some Ipomea seeds before I planted them a few weeks ago - didn't appear to affect germination at all as about 99% of them came through.  I was, however, careful to make sure this was one tray that was kept wet/very moist for the first week or so.

I currently have a pot containing some himalayan poppies in a plastic bag in the fridge, as recommended on packet.  Obviously v. cold and v.dark for this one.  They appear to be just beginning to germinate now, so this works!

Finally, I never did have much success growing parsley.  Speaking to an Indian woman who has a stunningly healthy lottie I was advised to take a thermos of boiling water, make a flatt bottomed drill, pour boiling water on the bottom of that and then sow thickly (she said that she also didn't have much success until adopting that technique), so I'm hoping that I end up with a bed of parsley just as vigourous as hers!

[tim]

I didn't make it clear that I only do veg.
Except that I did sow some poppies (Coral Reef) yesterday for my wife - these had to be surface sown.

I don't find packets much help - they don't say that lettuce likes it cold & light, or that carrots seem to work better when broadcast - etc. = Tim

PS Parsley - always used the boiling water thing - after sowing - it does work - but now do them in a tray indoors & never have a prob.

[tim]

I just have to add this -

'Lettuce likes it cold - & light??'
So, surface sowed a 'romaine' type  but, in error, put it in with the poppies @ 75F. 100% germination in 2 days.

Rules, rules!! = Tim

[Mrs Ava]

I cover lettuce, but keep it cool and have no probs....but never been able to germinate poppies - the perennial ones - and I always surface sow, as I have been told to!  My sis has started to use vermiculite on the tops of her seeds, covers them, but still lets the light in.  Her seeds come up like cress!  Must buy some for the next lot of seed sowing.

[tim]

We always use V where suitable. But DO get the fine. If, like us, you can't, give it a whizz in the food processor.
Wonderful stuff, because it's an immediate indicator of moisture. = Tim

[tim]

Thought this was interesting? = Tim
http://www.seedquest.com/vegetables/lettuce/expo/seeddynamics/whyprimeseed.htm

[ina]

That explains why I have so much trouble with iceberg lettuce but the head lettuce germinates just fine under all the wrong conditions hahaha.

One thing. How does one 'prime' seeds?

[tim]

I don't think that you do it - you pay for it to have been done! = Tim

[Hot_Potato]

Tim you mentioned parsley - well I've had two different attemps at sowing parsley indoors and putting boiling water on before and after sowing (before to warm the compost up)....had no luck at all  >:(...however, after scattering yet more seeds on the top have now got the grand no. of 8 little seedlings in the pot!!...I tried covering them with a plastic bag, putting them in my airing cupboard etc. but now they just sit on window sill and have to 'get on with it'....few days ago put small row on allotment....will see if anything happens (in the meantime, bought two pots from garden centre for my almost constant daily use of this wonderful herb....

[ina]

I don't think that you do it - you pay for it to have been done! = Tim

Ohhhhhhh, I thought it meant something like soaking or something. Too bad, on those pictures it looked like it made a lot of difference.

[tim]

Hotpot - save yourself trouble & separate the bought ones, pot them up & plant out when you can. Can't lose!

I frequently do this as a back-up. Give them to your friends if that's too many. = Tim

[Hot_Potato]

Tim - as the two pots I bought are quite small - but growing well in spite of keep plucking at at it - I thought of putting the two together into a bigger pot just to stay in the kitchen, which is where I want it.....only decided to try some outside to see what happens and in case I need lots - should it ever germinate & grow!! time will tell.....

noticed tonight there's another 3 seeds just showing signs of germination in the 'sickly looking one' I planted....am now fascinated to see what happens

[tim]

When I said 'plant out', I meant inside or out. And I was imagining a pot like the s/market ones, with about 100 seedlings in!  In which case, far more productive, in the long run, to transfer one or two to a 5" pot. As with basil, which will grow to over 15", you should get a bush you can really chomp at. = Tim

[Hot_Potato]

That's exactly what I have done Tim - put the two small plants (altho they're loaded) into a 5" pot and it's still sitting on my kitchen window sill looking very healthy - just takes up less room in one pot rather than two little ones!...

Have also now sown some basil in a pot about 4" and put a plastic top over it (one off a big yogurt cartoon) and it's also on my window sill (would it be better to put it in the airing cupboard til (if) they germinate please?.....

[tim]

Might help them = Tim

[Hot_Potato]

thanks Tim but it's just occurred to me...I'm off in the morning to be with Mum & Dad again until middle of next week and maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to leave them in there all that while....could they get too warm and dry in there?....maybe left on window sill would be best after all!

[tim]

Take it with you!! = Tim

[tim]

Talking of germination etc, I'm quite pleased with this. Experimental Romaine type lettuce - sown 22/5 (in heat in error!) - germinated 24/5 - & today. = Tim

[Hot_Potato]

Those lettuce are just brilliant - it obviously worked putting them in the heat!!....

Laughed at the idea of taking my pot of basil seeds with me....I go by train, changing at Paddington to the underground then get another Main line train down to Chelmsford...can just imagine what would happen (however careful I might be) a holdall full of compost etc.!!.. ;D

I'm off in the morning so can't join in again until middle of next week at least  :'(