Propagation: Flower seeds and germination "situation", 1 by warriorswisdomkathy

warriorswisdomkathy wrote:
BigZig....You don't have to cut off the extras...save all your babies as you can repot them later when they get more growth on them..............
Some tips for you to consider: you need your seed trays closer to your lights (prop them up closer and remove your props as they get taller, don't worry your lights are usually not strong enough to burn the babies. Yes, I agree with most about hating the peat pellets...ick! Personnaly I make my own mix (peat and peralite) but there are many that are suitable for seed starting. I use a bit of vermiculite to top off my seeds as it helps to control mold if pots have gotten too damp. I never water my seedlings til they are up and growing strongly. I start with damp mix (not soggy!), then I mist everything til lightly damp, cover with a dome til things begin sprouting, I mist once daily, maybe twice if it looks as tho they are drying a bit too much, keep the top lightly damp.. After things begin sprouting I take the dome off for a few hours and then recover again, misting when necessary, they love it. Once up and growing strongly I transfer them to a tray in the open air and keep those that need the protected envirement a bit longer covered with the dome. After they come out into the air I gently water them and mist several times a day, they'll love it. I don't worry about extras in the pots as they can alllllll be potted on after they've beefed up ( be aware that can live in the cramped conditions for months). When I go to transplanting them I let the pot dry a bit and gently dump the whole pot out and tease roots apart and repot into individuals pots, usually I use 2 1/2" pots, (which I obtain from dumpster diving at the nurseries)

As far as germination times, it truely can vary. I find many germinate within 3 days when packet says longer so don't worry. Things that need special treatment sometimes truely don't...one that comes to mind is Aquilegia. Most do a cold treatment but I find I get great results without. I started mine on 1/30 and they are germinating now, 10 days later.

Come on over to the thread by Pfg on seed germination part 2. We'll help you along so ask away!!!! Hope this helps....(I've grown thousands of seedlings over the years). Once you get the hang of it it will get easier, I promise. And as far as the annuals, some are started early (petunias, violas, snapdragons). those such as Zinnas are started later toward the end of March. Annual vines don't get started til 2-4 wks before last frost. Keep your plants close to the lights as it helps prevent stretching............!!!!!! They can even touch the bulb of a florescent light unit with out any damage! Kathy
Ps. Most of my front garden was filled with perennials grown from seed. !00ft long X 40ft wide