Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2011 11:22:32 GMT
But had forgotten to soak seeds overnight.
Shall them tonight.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrumpy on Mar 3, 2011 19:26:02 GMT
no need to soak them....but if you do, you soak them for 24 hours till they swell, then place them on damp cotton wool in a tray covered with a bit of polythene till they show signs of life, then plant them.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2011 21:54:38 GMT
Thanks scrumpy I have never put them on damp cotton wool before.
Normally have soaked them overnight then sown and have grown well with this method.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrumpy on Mar 3, 2011 22:19:05 GMT
I've used both methods...soaking first, and direct sowing without soaking, and never found a great deal of difference in germination time. Think a lot depends on the variety.
For example, white supreme, sowed 10th February, unsoaked in individual cells, germinated in 7 days. Millenium and Eclipse, sown at the same time and under the exact same conditions, took about 16 days. Anniversary about 10 days.
White supreme have been potted on and are showing proper leaves. The others are growing much more slowly and at least another week to go before they are potted on.
The good thing about using cotton wool is that you can see quite quickly which seeds germinate, so no wastage.
But really, the best method is the one you find best, so stick with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tel on Mar 4, 2011 8:49:30 GMT
I've used both methods...soaking first, and direct sowing without soaking, and never found a great deal of difference in germination time. Think a lot depends on the variety. For example, white supreme, sowed 10th February, unsoaked in individual cells, germinated in 7 days. Millenium and Eclipse, sown at the same time and under the exact same conditions, took about 16 days. Anniversary about 10 days. White supreme have been potted on and are showing proper leaves. The others are growing much more slowly and at least another week to go before they are potted on. The good thing about using cotton wool is that you can see quite quickly which seeds germinate, so no wastage. But really, the best method is the one you find best, so stick with it.[/color] Just like anything else, we all have different methods of growing things. If your method does not work for you, use someone elses. If your way of growing works for you, stick with it.  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2011 7:56:43 GMT
Thanks Scrumpy and tel sweetpeas now sown . |
|
|
|
Post by sweetpea on Mar 6, 2011 17:35:27 GMT
An easier way is to lay a piece of kitchen roll on a shallow dish and soak it. Place the seeds on top and when they start to sprout, plant them up. Make sure the kitchen roll never dries out.
I usually chip my seeds but this year they will just be sown as is. I still haven't got full use of my right arm/hand back so its the au naturel way for me.
re chipping and soaking, there is really no need for either although it helps with the black, hard flinty seeds as it allows them to absorb water necessary for germination.
A very knowledgeable sweetpea expert has stated that it actually stresses the seed if you soak them. I therefore do not soak my seeds overnight or indeed, at all.
On the other hand, it is comforting to know that your seed has started into growth which you can see by keeping them just moist but not soaking.
|
|
marynz
Full Member
Tweeting as @POSKidsNZ
Posts: 226
|
Post by marynz on Oct 25, 2012 9:46:56 GMT
I started one lot in a jar, rinsing them often like bean sprouts. I used a shallow jar so I could lift them out with no risk to the tiny roots, which I did as soon as they were visible. This seemed to work well for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Geranium on Oct 26, 2012 5:44:50 GMT
I'd read that soaking them might cause rotting, so this year, for the first time ever, I didn't soak mine. I was pleased and relieved to see them all poking up!  |
|
|
|
Post by Moonlight on Dec 2, 2012 21:41:44 GMT
An easier way is to lay a piece of kitchen roll on a shallow dish and soak it. Place the seeds on top and when they start to sprout, plant them up. Make sure the kitchen roll never dries out. I usually chip my seeds but this year they will just be sown as is. I still haven't got full use of my right arm/hand back so its the au naturel way for me. re chipping and soaking, there is really no need for either although it helps with the black, hard flinty seeds as it allows them to absorb water necessary for germination.
(Sorry if I am asking a dense question) |
|
|
|
Post by sweetpea on Dec 4, 2012 12:44:36 GMT
Chipping the seed involves cutting (or chipping) a small portion of the seed coat opposite to the embryo that little knobbly bit where the seed starts to grow from. I use a safety razor blade for this or rather I did, as I don't have the necessary control over my hand since a stroke a while back. Some folks use a file or scrape the seed on sandpaper but that is even more fiddly than using a blade. if you use this method be prepared to shed some blood  Thinking about it, maybe that was why I always got good results. Blood is a good fertiliser ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Moonlight on Dec 7, 2012 10:55:59 GMT
Thank you Sweetpea bit of a foreign language to me. Does Chipping seeds make them quicker to germinate? if you use this method be prepared to shed some blood Thinking about it, maybe that was why I always got good results. Blood is a good fertiliser ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Cherry on Dec 7, 2012 11:37:44 GMT
Sweetpea might have 'chipped', but he taught me to sow the seeds straight in to the pot at a regular depth. I can't even remember what depth this is, but I have an elastic band around the pencil at the correct depth which I use as a dibber. He grew prizewinning sweetpeas. He still grows them, but doesn't show them now. Is that right SP?
|
|
|
|
Post by sweetpea on Dec 7, 2012 18:59:49 GMT
Sweetpea might have 'chipped', but he taught me to sow the seeds straight in to the pot at a regular depth. I can't even remember what depth this is, but I have an elastic band around the pencil at the correct depth which I use as a dibber. He grew prizewinning sweetpeas. He still grows them, but doesn't show them now. Is that right SP?[/quote] Yes cherry. If I remember right the rubber band is on a pencil and set for 3/4" depth. The main thing is that they are all the SAME depth allowing regular germination. however there is always one or two precocious seedlings and an occasional laggard. I've stopped exhibition stuff mainl because it is much more difficult to manage the extra work since my stroke. I tend to take things more easy nowadays. Don't fret about problems etc. if the slugs want a meal so what. Its not the end of the world. Apparently that's this month but I wouldn't worry about it. I sit back and enjoy the garden and all the creatures in it (and the plants of course) |
|
|
|
Post by Moonlight on Dec 7, 2012 22:06:49 GMT
What sort of Sweetpea varieties would you recommend?
A couple of years ago I bought a basic mini wigwam with end of season sweetpea plants last one left so had been reduced and was definitely on its last legs. That is all my experience.
I've been told that Sweetpeas need daily tieing because they grow so quick that if you don't they commit suicide? (not sure if the last bit was tongue in check or not  )
Do you buy regular packet sweetpea seeds? Or do you go something more specialist?
Some plant nurseries make me feel like an idiot because I don't know what I am looking for or where the right place to find it is. Places like Homebase or B&Q are less scarey but are what they sell any good?
|
|
)
Sept 6, 2018 17:58:08 GMT
Sept 6, 2018 17:58:08 GMT
Aug 10, 2019 9:01:47 GMT