Lewisia - Part 2 - Not so difficult after all?

After reading that my lewisia seeds needed 2-4 weeks warm and moist, then 4-6 weeks out in the cold, then cool but not cold in order to germinate, I planted some in a winter-sowing container (milk jug) and put them on the heat mat to begin their 2-4 weeks, before putting them out in the cold. Today, after only 1 week on the heat mat, I took the top off to check the moisture, and lo and behold, there are 3 sprouts in the jug!!! (I planted 31 total). So the plan is now amended to leave them on the heat mat with cover until a few more germinate, then uncover and let them stay on the heat mat for the remainder of 2nd week, then take them off, just keeping them under lights til spring. Does this sound reasonable?

It seems to be working so I wouldn't mess with a good thing. If you still have alot ungerminated after the warm period you could always pot up the seedlings and put the remainder in cold.

Hi Dahlia, that's exactly what I was just thinking this morning. I now have 5 sprouts in the jug. I planted the remaining 8 seeds in a 4-cell unit 3 days ago, and one came up today. I think I'll give it another week or two on the jug and hopefully the seedlings will be big enough to handle to transplant - then the jug'll go outside til spring.

just dont over water them I did last year and lost them all

OOps. Thanks for the advice. I transplanted the 6 sprouted ones out of the jug and into individual cells yesterday. It didn't seem like any more were going to appear. As they seemed still so small and frail, I gave them a soaking to help them get established, but I'll try to be careful on the watering from now on. (The jug went out in the cold).