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Poor results from sowing
John952
Posts: 21
ive had a really poor success rate from sowings this year & don't know what's happening
only 50% success from Sungold tomatoes, No cucumber Diva. Nicotiana very few emerged then collapsed, 1 didicus, no Brachysome. I've had some what I think is damping off.
I use General purpose compost - all on kitchen window ledge some in propogator- not heated.
Any ideas what I'm doing wrong please - it's so frustrating
only 50% success from Sungold tomatoes, No cucumber Diva. Nicotiana very few emerged then collapsed, 1 didicus, no Brachysome. I've had some what I think is damping off.
I use General purpose compost - all on kitchen window ledge some in propogator- not heated.
Any ideas what I'm doing wrong please - it's so frustrating
0
Posts
I used Wilko Seed and cutting compost - which is basically general purpose mixed with sharp sand - I sieved it for seed trays and the top layer of larger pots (with the chunkier stuff in the bottom for filler) and used that sieved stuff for the covering on top of the seeds too.
I started them on top of our TV unit, out of direct sunlight, with an upside down plastic fruit container or similar on top. Then when seedlings appeared took the covers off and moved to the kitchen windowsill - after thinning or pricking out (or when they were large enough, or I just needed more space!) I moved them into my mini greenhouse (pvc cover type)
If you use a propagator with a lid, that would also encourage the various fungi etc that cause damping-off.
Ps I sowed Nicotiana just over a week ago.
I used MPC, sowed the seed then topped it with a light sprinkling of vermiculite then used a hand sprayer just enough to dampen the surface of the compost and vermiculite. The first seedlings appeared a couple of days ago.
I do however use a heated propagator which makes it all much easier to control temps and humidity.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
yes I wondered if the temperature was fluctuating and going too cold overnight
I think I may invest in a heated propogator for next year
You could thin them out a bit so there's a bit more space between the seedlings.
Or you could transplant those that have true leaves and leave the rest to grow on a bit - something I often do.
They look as if they could do with a bit more light.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I've just had a look at my little Sylvestris seedlings, they're about the size of a green pin-head at the moment.
I grow them to use a bit of garden that would just get covered in weeds and it was only earlier this week I decided I'd pull up last year's dead stems that I leave on over winter (helps keep my dog off the garden), I noticed that of the 12 plants I had, all but a couple had started to re-sprout! sending up new leaves from the base of the plant - I never knew they would do that, but I do know that in that area there will be thousands of nicotiana seedlings appearing soon
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I've pricked out the others, but will have to wait a month for the Sylvestris.