It has been a month now since I planted seeds in vermiculite/peat moss mix... and nothing.
I have been doing everything right (as far as I know!).. keeping it in my mini-greenhouse, sprayed daily, allowing to air out, etc.
My basil and oregano that I started at the same time have long since sprouted and are growing well.
What is up with my spearmint? Is this common?
Spearmint (Mintha Spicata) won't germinate
I can start mint from the tiniest cutting, but have never had any luck with seeds. I've read that they are notoriously slow, so I don't even try seed anymore. Maybe it's patience, of which I haven't much. This Spring I started passion vine and stans tecoma in the same little flat. I was about to throw them on the compost pile when I noticed the first little speck of green. They took 8-10 weeks and I only got two of each out of all I started, and they are still extremely small at the moment although they look healthy. I'd get a cutting from a friend or the nursery and give the seeds more time.
Pam:
Very interesting! I looked into it a little, and I am finding on some gardening websites that they are typical seeds, but I don't think so! Mine are taking an eternity. I could only find one website that mentions spearmint as being slow to germinate... hmm. Maybe I will take your advice and ask around for some cuttings... thanks for the input!!! I have a nice peppermint plant, maybe someone would want to trade cuttings.
Last year I had some sprout 2 months after planting seeds.Cuttings or root starts are pretty easy.
Yep. I planted about 50 seeds and ended up with around 5 little seedlings. Some of them are still coming up. Did you just press them into the soil? The seeds are so tiny, I didn't bother trying to actually cover them. I just laid them on top of the seed starter mix and very lightly dusted them with a pinch of soil.
Spearmint should be relatively easy to find, either as a cutting or as a whole plant at a nursery. So strange that once we have it, we have it forever...but that it's SO hard to start from seed.
Ned - how odd, that is just what has now happened to me... after almost 2 months I now have 3 tiny seedlings. They look very frail, but I moved the tray under some light to see how it goes. I just keep watering and waiting..... and voila! Two months later.... LOL...
I think spearmint is like a teenager -- won't do a thing until your back is turned, and then, WATCH OUT!
Very good point! LOL...