My seed packet also said I could sow now. I sowed them in a little tray, covered the tray and placed it on a South facing window. Germinated very quickly for me (a few days). Maybe they just need more warmth?
yup - indoors works fine if you have space to grow on , my comment re march was re outdoor sheltered sowing which is what OP has effectively done.
Yes - they'd be better in your conservatory to get them germinating more readily, and to give you enough room when they're potted on, until they can go outside. March would definitely be a more normal time for sowing - outdoors if in a warm area, and indoor if not, although Feb is also fine if indoor. They can go out more quickly, which avoids them getting etiolated too. Timing's the biggest factor - in mild areas you can afford to sow earlier, because they can be planted out earlier. Hardy plants are easier in that respect though - those Aquilegias for example.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I sowed mine about 3 weeks ago and left them on a north-facing windowsill in the house. They germinated really quickly and I moved the seedlngs to a frost-free greenhouse.
As as been discussed here widely before, the seeds packets are often pretty misleading/don't give enough info on situations for suggested sowing times. If using an unheated greenhouse, it's probably best to pick the end of the suggested sowing window, not the beginning.
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March would definitely be a more normal time for sowing - outdoors if in a warm area, and indoor if not, although Feb is also fine if indoor. They can go out more quickly, which avoids them getting etiolated too.
Timing's the biggest factor - in mild areas you can afford to sow earlier, because they can be planted out earlier. Hardy plants are easier in that respect though - those Aquilegias for example.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...