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Supplied Seed- Acceptable Germination Rate

KiliKili Posts: 1,104
in Plants
Hi all, I planted 48 Dahlia seeds and 20 of them did not germinate. I purchased these from Dobies and am a little disappointed at the germination rate. Am I unreasonable to be so is that a usual/acceptable/normal germination rate for Dahlia seed?

Your experiences and comments would be appreciated.

Regards

Kili

'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

George Bernard Shaw'

Posts

  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    Well that's interesting. I emailed Dobies to ask what germination rate I should expect and the automated response came back from Suttons seeds.

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    If probably be content with 28. I can't imagine what I'd do with 48!
    Are you sure they're not going to germinate? Some colours etc take a bit longer than others.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    B3 said:
    If probably be content with 28. I can't imagine what I'd do with 48!
    Are you sure they're not going to germinate? Some colours etc take a bit longer than others.

    I cant see the rest of them germinating now as they were all sown at the same time and 3 weeks on there's no sign of the rest popping up. 
    I have plenty of family who will take any excess sowings I have of any plants. Have you grown Dahlias from seed B3?


    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    I recently sowed Dahlia Mignon,very quick to germinate I had about 75% success rate, I was happy with that. 
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    I planted some and I think I had 6 out of 8 grow. But it's worth being patient, I've had plenty of late growers coming up in pots I've been too lazy to get rid of after having given up on them (all sorts of plants, not necessarily Dahlias).
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Many years ago @Kili I'm thinking of doing it again. It's amazing to see your own corms  after only one season as opposed to the dried up ones you buy in the GC.
    In my own defence, the seeds available were nothing like the ones you get now. Dahlias were deeply unfashionable and neglected.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    Thanks for your comments everyone.

    B3 it will be interesting to see how big these corms after after one seasons growth. I think its Pete8 who said he just sows the seed every year now so I thought I would give it a go rather than store the corms all winter. Will keep these corms to see what they do next year along side seed grown as well

    Just heard from Dobies (which also turns out to be Suttons) and the nice people there said they are going to send me another packet of seed after my email asking what kind of germination rate I should expect ( They didn't say).

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I guess it's hard to quantify, I've had zero germination sometimes - but pretty sure it was me, not the seeds...
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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