Does anyone have trouble getting chamomile to germinate. I've planted 2 different kinds and I see nothing going after 2 weeks on one tray and 1 week on another tray. Any ideas?
Chamomile germination
I will check my book. I recall most herbs take 3+ weeks. i have kept mine (not chamoomile) covered so they don't dry out, and check them every few days. Not to worry, just see if you can find out their days to germinate, or try a few seeds in a paper towel to test. And I will try to get back here when I find an answer...because I will need to know soon...
I tried 2 times, the first time it didn't work at all, now they start sprouting. Mine is german chamomile btw.
My packet says 4-8 days for germinating. I am going to try mine this weekend. "Press seeds firmly into soil surface." Plant on the surface, do not cover, needs soil temp of 55-70 degrees F, and LIGHT TO GERMINATE.
Edited to add link to same question in another forum, then realized it was also posted by same person. But maybe it would help someone else looking for info...
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/484961/
This message was edited Feb 23, 2005 10:48 PM
In the past my sprouting chamomile has never taken off, but this year after reading about peroxide on Dave's, http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/479410/
I came up with a method that I am now sold on.
Both my german and roman came up very quickly, I got my first flower bud on the german fifteen days after starting. I had to do a little dance when I saw it! The roman is doing well but a month has passed and no buds yet. Here is my method. I take a clear plastic cup and cut a drainage notch at the bottom that is almost half an inch up on the side and half an inch in toward the center of the cup at the bottom. I use a cut coat hanger and heat the end to red hot and then use that to melt into the corner of the cup. I don't recomend this method as it is a good way to brand yourself or your floor or your furniture. It works for me but I am careful and make sure nothing is going to interrupt or distract me. I put mushroom dirt and pearlite in the cup leaving about half an inch room at the top. Then I wet the dirt with 3% (what is normally in the bottle) hydrogen peroxide.
Carefull this will foam the dirt up, you may have to push the dirt back down after it calms. The soil may pour like lava over the edge of the cup. It also sterilizes the soil and cup. I cover the cup with plastic wrap after the dirt calms down about an hour later I sprinkle the seed on a dish. I wet my finger with peroxide and then smooth the soil with my finger tip. I wet my finger again and pick up the seed with my fingertip and rub the seeds into the surface of the soil. When I am done I recover the cup with plastic wrap and put it under the combination aquarium growlight/regular florescent. This seems to work quite well. I think the peroxide helps the seed get over some of it's latency. After the plants get close to touching the plastic, I remove it. I water with 0.15% peroxide (3% diluted 20 to 1). Everything but the tomatoes and eggplants seem to respond well to the peroxide.
Thank you throneofyord! I will try this, I have tried so many types of soil and conditions, sowing all on the top with NO results at all. I'll let you know!
Thanks throneofyord! The sprouted! :)
Congrats kathys999 and thanks for the reply, I feel ever so more scientific when the results are reproduced!
I threw some german chamomile and poppy seeds into the vacant field across the street from my house. I think it will look lovely if it all comes up and goes wild. My DH thinks I'm nuts.
-Juli
How lovely... no you are just nuts if you run a hose over to water LOL
R U Watching me :~)
-Juli
No, but is your hubby? LOL
Would you like some echinacea to throw over there? It takes over well. Send an SASE...