Spring seed sprouting progress: 2010
 

Well, I started 8 varieties of perennials this Tuesday under my lights. I chose the seeds that had directions on them, that they would take at least 3 weeks to germinate. The plan is to do those first, grow them up, then put in the cold frame, and then start the gazanias and other faster ones (that need heat, or whatever).

Well surprise... The calamintha seeds are starting already, and so are the other catmint (these are not catNIP)seeds I collected from my plant upNorth.
Now I will have to move them into cells in 10 days or so, and they will eat up my light space too soon!

So this is just a reminder for others who are following seed directions from the growers, or internet... Expect surprises!
The Calamintha even said.... if no germination in 3 wks, place in refrigerator for 4 weeks to cold treat, and then put back at normal temps! So much for that! Must be a standard perennial recommendation when no one really knows the truth!:rolleyes:

Even with Burpee seeds, you get that. They say one thing, and you never know what to expect. Most seeds take about 7 days, but I've seen em sprout in 2 and take as long as ten.

I get them that far then lose them.

:o

I love to garden but since the granddaughter came along, have not been able to keep it up. Most of the plants are perennial, so they survived the neglect. But the yard looks horrible (even under snow lol).

I've been watching Jadi since she was a couple months old, on and off, and no way can I do both babysitting and yard work. She's one of those kids, you know? Eyes on her ALL the time or else, lol.

We have a pool, so if I bring her outside I really have to watch her, can't be distracted weeding.

Hopefully this year ds will have a real sitter most of the time and I can get back to being a normal grandma - take her once a week and have fun, and still get something done.

I need to figure out two things - better weed control and more privacy in the back yard.

I was hoping to supply 4 projects this spring. Looks like I have a big problem coming up! heheheheh

My yard, the public corner garden, my son's new home, and my good friend who I gave stuff to last year.

(my hairdresser got some and the mail carrier, and one engineer who was doing the road in front, last year too!)

I have lights in my studio, and a couple of portable ones, that are getting old now. The trick for indoor growing, is keeping the temp cool once they germinate, and lights close to the plants by propping the seed cells up etc. I bought two 128 cell inserts on Ebay, this year to keep as many as possible in a small indoor space. You have to use a special growing medium also. If one is not careful the seedlings get leggy, and damp off with fungus.

If we get a nice spring I can get them out under my portable cold frame and that will help. I also got some trays/cells at Lowe's last year on a clearance. I always keep my eye out for low prices. I am growing things this season that are not available in local nurseries. The Calamintha, a new variety of gazania with silver foliage, some ornamental grasses, two types of upright purple sedum (I expect failure with these), and a dark purple JoePye weed, for my son's moist yard. I also have collected some globe thistle seeds from my plants and I will try those. (I got a nice case of painful dermatitis on my hands from those babies!--gotta wear gloves to collect and sort those!)

Anyway, this keeps me from going stir crazy in Jan and Feb!

Last year I grew my seedlings outside. I started them late, and put them in my containers I take upNorth. I just left them out there and most germinated. Then I moved them to cells and kept them out there. I haven't done indoors for several years.

Wow... you really go for it!

I tried a couple times. It's just too much, trying to keep them moist but not too moist. Temps in my house are not stable, either. Hard enough to keep the house plants alive this time of year.

:o

I am using some old clear scones containers for the starting. Then when the seedlings get bigger, I move them into cells. They are long and narrow like a hot dog. So they all fit under the first lights.

The gazanias and some of the annuals I will do right into the cells to save labor.

Most of these seeds are tiny, so I can't put them into cells with a
tweezers like I can with some others.

I've done seeds many times, so I do know some tricks. But still there are failures.... always failures!

Well the failures are half of it - the ones that are successes mean more that way. I tried to get a gailardia going for years - too dark, too crowded, too wet, etc. finally found the right spot for her and then she went wild. Even had some of her seeds sprout and grow to bloom!

I think the hardest part of doing seeds is moving the newly sprouted things up into the first cells.

One has to handle the babies very very carefully, not to touch or squeeze the stems but hold them by a leaf (which is replaceable).

Some things don't like to be moved. And not all seed packs tell you this. So if you get one variety that doesn't like being moved, well...failure is upon you.

The germination process is not so bad, if you get good seeds.

I just moved 18 Catmint (from my album) that I harvested upNorth. We'll see within 2 days if they die now or not. ( I tend to lose 10-20% of transplants at this stage when things are good.)

I gently break the root balls up with a little plastic fork, and move to a 6pk cell.

Tomorrow will be the Butterfly weed... which doesn't like being moved. I got those free from a grower who sent me infertile JoePye weed (dark variety)... so what I paid for is not working out. But her freebees all came up, more than I can use.

I'm going to put these 3 to a large peat pot, and hope at least one survives moving (in each pot). I have 2 wild spots that they could do well in. IF they survive tomorrow!

Things are going well.... far better than I expected! ;)

Here is a picture of some of the transplants I did this week:
They are all doing well so far, knock on wood, and this week will be critical for success.

They are in a cool room under special fluorescent lights.

I wish I'd seen about the butterfly plants sooner. I know, tough to move when young. But you can move them easy when they're over one foot tall. What I wanna know is, my first one grew 8' high. none of them since - all from that ones seeds - got over 3-4 foot high. What gives?


Also, do you ever start daylily seeds indoors? I have a couple from plants I crossed. Wondered if it's easier or more successful indoors or out. I usually forget where I put them outside, lol.