I've got a question about peeling seeds... well an explanation and a question.
Some VERY nice person sent me a collection of brug seed. Everything I've read is telling me to peel them so hesitantly I started to peel some, this was in the fall, and I got scared I'd ruin the seed so I left the rest unpeeled. I only got one seedling.. probably the one I started to peel.
Now today I was peeling some more and I found that the seeds inside the cork are actually kind of hard. Probably too hard to damage by peeling.
Here's my question: Two out of the four seed didn't have seed inside the cork. Did I a) break them? or b) There's a possibility that some corks don't have seed inside???
AND! If I can go back and find those seed I sowed in the fall, and if I peel them, would they still have a chance of germination?
I'm finally a part of the brugmansia world! I planted my four plants outside in the ground, I can't wait till they start piling on growth! I hope they'll grow better this way then they were in pots. OH AND, what food would you recommend? Like a 18-18-18 to start and then switch to a bloom inducer or.....?
Peeling
Sometimes you find seeds or cork that doesn't have a seed inside. I don't know what causes it but I've had some this year that I purchased that were empty. As far as the seeds from the fall, there is a possibility some of them may still come up. I'd sure try them again.
I know some here do not peel their seeds and like the results. I peel all of mine. Did you plant them deep? They may germinate better for you if you lay them on top of the soil, pressed in a bit. They seem to like the light to germinate. Put them in damp plastic bag, with the top secured tight A mini green house.
Sure, see if the ones are still in the ground. Sometimes they take a long time to germinate, though this is now what 6 months? A bit long. . I usually do very fresh seeds and they come up with in a week or 2. I never soak mine. If my seeds were old, I would soak the peeled seeds to increase my chances of germination.
Here is a tray 3 weeks old.
I just counted these, out of tray of 27 seeds, 25 have germinated. They are about ready to be moved up to a red cup with soil. I used rockwool to start them. What I am going to do with 25 Susanne X EP plants, I know not. LOL I always forget these cute little things grow like weeds.
I don't peel the one's that are too small for fear of damage and I've damaged some peeling them, so I just leave them be and plant just a press down in the dirt then as Kell said with a bag or tent sealed to hold in moisture. I also use a heating pad underneath and the light above mine also.
The huge one's (seeds) are easier to peel but I find that seeds do just as well without peeling them as long as you spray mist them and they stay soft. They'll fall off on their own eventually. Just don't try to help it come off once you see them up from the soil like I did a few lol, not good.
It's a trial and error deal I think and whatever works best for you Capt.
I start to water dilute my Peter's or Miracle Grow when they have their second set of leaves. But if the stem is skinny and not strong looking I water from the bottom. Wishing you good luck and hope to see blooms for you this summer Capt. :-)
Hugs
Julie
Thanks guys! I've got some interesting crosses to grow! I can NOT wait to see every one's flowers either.
I think that we all do not have the good luck of having the freshest of seeds. I remember one packet I got from someone and there was not a seed inside any of the corks. The impression was there but no seeds. That has never happened to me before. I thought possibly they were old and had dried up. Does anyone have a better reason?
Jeanette
Insects managed to get inside and eat em?
Good news about those previous sown seed, I was able to find them, one had germinates since I moved it outside and I peeled another one which looked fine. One rotted. Oh well, three out of four aint bad!
Good for you Capt! Woooooooooo hooooooooo, maybe they liked the heat outside to germinate :-) Anyhow I'm glad you have germination.
Hugs
Julie