Seeds

[4pygmies]

I grew them from seed a few years ago and they germinated pretty well. Then in the second year they all just died in their pots for no apparent reason despite looking quite strong little plants! I hope you both have better luck than that - they are beautiful flowers aren't they? I shan't try again - I have stopped trying (nearly anyway) to have plants that are totally unsuited to my garden conditions...

[madonplants]

May 3, 2008 1:16:19 GMT 1 @floweringcherry said:

Thanks for all the tips :-) The growing instructions said 2 weeks in a polythene bag at warm temps (about70f) then put in a fridge for another 2 weeks and prick out as they germinate. They have been in the fridge for 3 weeks nothing showing as yet. I check daily and have sown the remainder of the seeds yesterday. Here's hoping. I grew them years ago without a problem

I failed to grow them once, but what you say I have heard is the right thing to do. Might try them again, but I hear slugs LOVE them!

[4pygmies]

I had a little assessment of the seed sowing situation yesterday and have found a little stash of perennial seeds I'dd completely forgotten about : I must have sent for them this winter but I can't remember doing soo.... ;D So I shall have to get them in seed trays this week sometime....I thought I'd finished! So that's nice...

[The witch]

Could this very hot weather be stopping some of my seeds germinating?

[4pygmies]

Yes, I think that's very likely (IMO), although it depends which seeds obviously..make sure you are not overwatering, just keep the compost damp and try and keep the trays shaded until the temperature drops a bit The witch. I've taken some of my plants out of the bathroom, despite them not germinating, as it was just too hot in there.

[mickthecactus]

Cheery very kindly sent me some seeds and the results are 2 Osteospermums, 1 Ipomoea mini sky-blue, loads of Delphinium chinensis (looking forward to them), loads of marigolds but only 6 of the Red Brocade.

[4pygmies]

May 28, 2008 22:05:30 GMT 1 @The witch said:

My astrantia won't germinate - I put them in the fridge for 5 days a couple of weeks ago, but that hasn't helped!

I have NEVER been able to get Astrantias to germinate, despite trying all the ways I know, The witch.......1 seedling out of about 3/4 packets over 2/3 years of attempts So I asked the expert at the National Collection Astrantia stand. He told me, in no uncertain terms, that it was a waste of time trying unless you did it outside in a seed bed in conditions that Astrantias like, in the Autumn, where they can just get on with it.........and to use fresh seed.... :
And 5 days refrigeration is prolly not enough anyway The witch, IMO - several weeks would be a better length of time to break dormancy.
I've given up with them now as I haven't really got the right conditions to grow them in my garden anyway...shame, they're so pretty.
Hope your seeds don't read any of the above and all germinate anyway!

Don't know if this will help at all....

www.warrenhills.co.uk/information.html

[cheerypeabrain]

Whilst wandering around a GC over the weekend I came across some pasque flower seed heads on the floor under a stand of plants...so they found their way into my carrier bag (the seed heads) They were blowing about all over the shop...but were definitely pasque flower seeds...I shall sow them in some gritty seed compost tomorrow and leave them in the CF....you never know.....