Propagation: Propagation: part XIV based on my own experience, 1 by Pughbear7

Pughbear7 wrote:
Good morning to all:
Jeanette: What denus are you dealing with? I try to stay withing the Miscanthus, Pennisetum and Cortaderia genuses. they seem to be among the most common grasses which gets kind of boring.
I have not had success with the winter sow method and it might be our wacky weather here. Its hard to have a consistent temperature pattern. Most seeds are waiting for the big rush of spring weather, both moist and warmer, which I am guessing evryone knows.
I figuired out one of my issues I had with my cuttings I bought from NC farms was temperatures ups and downs in my green house. I had decided to plant a few baskets to get them going earlier this spring. when I touched the soil from the rooted cutting it was ice cold.
I believe the keys to seed starting is in temperature moisture and light. Once the seed has put on any roots its up to us to keep the temperatures a nice toasty temperature for the roots to take off and grow. I believe I am guilty of getting germination to happen and then either too cold in the garage or not enough light, which unfortunately I knew it might be an issue but I chose to ignor.
I have a flat of beautiful dianthus I grew from seed. Unfortunately my thick headed pride had told me "oh it will be fine". Well they have a great root system and a nice top growth, the stems from the soil to the foliage are so weak its not funny. Now I am faced with the harsh choice of wait and see if the stems will ever get big enough to suport itself where the top wont snap off when handeled.
I think the temperatures have a lot to do with your success with the grasses. Are you covering the seeds with soil?
Here is a pic of the leggy dianthus that I am on the fence with. they have such a nice root system I think I am going to try to get them into some 4" pots and see where they go from there.
the pic is of my leggy dianthus cell. and the tray is next.
I hope this helps
Dave