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Germination Rates

DogmumDogmum Posts: 96
in Plants
I’m just wondering what germination rates I should expect from the seeds below, I’m trying to work out if my rates are normal or if I’m doing something a bit wrong.
asparagus 1 out of 10
sweetcorn 4 out of 18
sweet-peas 24 out of around 40
butternut squash 2 out of 5
baby cucumbers 3 out of 5
dwarf broad beans 4 out of 6, 2 more planted but not showing yet

I have also sowed -
tomatoes (2 different kinds) 17 out of 17
chillis (2 different kinds) 20 out of 20
sweet peppers 8 out of 8

Any thoughts would be appreciated, the asparagus was just something a bit different as an experiment but the sweetcorn could be an issue if I can’t get more to germinate as I know I’ll need a fair few to get good pollination.

Thanks



Tomorrow is another day
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Posts

  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    You're getting very low results. I grew 100 asparagus plants last year and the year before, I got about 95% germination, sweetcorn I would expect 90% and that goes for all the large seeded plants like squash, beans and cucumbers.
    Peas I find can be a bit hit and miss, I've had bags that only 50% came up even when trialed in the house and others where 100% came up.

    I can see that the seeds that really like warmth have all come up, maybe you have it to warm for some of the others? Though I do my asparagus on the bathroom floor at about 28C
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    How old are your seeds?  How were they stored?  Self collected or purchased from a merchant?  These things all impact germination.  
    Utah, USA.
  • DogmumDogmum Posts: 96
    @Blue Onion the seeds were all purchased this year, mainly Sutton seeds and were literally bought and sown.
    @Skandi the sweetcorn packet said 15-20 degrees C, the same as the tomato seed packet and I’ve got 100% on the the toms.  I think that’s what is confusing me, maybe despite what the two packets say they actually need slightly different conditions.
    Tomorrow is another day
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Apart from tomatoes, [and your rates are fine on those] the only other one on your list I grow is sweet peas. Seed needs to be good quality, so if you're collecting it yourself that's important -it needs to be properly mature.  If you're buying seed, it should be from a reliable supplier whenever possible, to ensure good germination, and the storage of any seed is important, as already said.
    They should take around 2 to 4 weeks to germinate. Quicker than that means they're getting too much heat, and that's often because of sowing at an inappropriate time, when they get too little light as well, and become etiolated. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DogmumDogmum Posts: 96
    What does germinate seems to do so quickly, so maybe my kitchen windowsill is getting a little too warm for them, I might try some more on a different windowsill.
    Tomorrow is another day
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    A cool windowsill is better - north, or near north, facing if you can.  :)
    The other problem is that so many windows have radiators under them, which adds to the problem. It's fine for anything that's not hardy as it gets them going, but for other things, it can be counter productive. Any sun at this time of year will also add to that. My kitchen faces south east, and is really hot on a sunny day at this time of year. Much hotter than it would be with the heating on. The radiator is under one of the windows I use in there, but I move stuff around when it's sunny.

    I've sown basil, which is fine there, and it won't go outside anyway, apart from maybe some excess plants, but they'd still probably go in the growhouse.
    I've done lettuce, but that's for inside as well, for some cut and come again crops for meals/sandwiches. They get moved into a shady spot on sunny days.
    The tomatoes have just been sown - Sunday- and they'll stay inside until they go in the growhouse. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jossesfarmjossesfarm Posts: 24
    I've grown lots of sweetcorn and I ususually get 100% germination. I can't remember the name of the seed supplier though.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited March 2022
    Isn't there something about whether or not sweet pea seeds float in water? I assume sink is good and float is bad🤔
    Maybe I'm thinking about eggs
    Edit
    Found something in tinternet
    "Some seeds, such as peas, can be tested for viability by placing them in a bowl of water. Those that float are sterile (contain no embryo and are therefore lighter); those that sink are likely to be viable."
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • DogmumDogmum Posts: 96
    @Fairygirl Those that germinated did so much faster than it said on the packet, if I move the rest to a slightly cooler north facing windowsill do you think there is still a chance more might germinate?
    Tomorrow is another day
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited March 2022
    Worth trying if you have room.  :)
    Make sure they aren't dry too - sweet peas need lots of moisture.
    It's why they often suggest soaking seed overnight before sowing. I don't do it, but that might be worth checking.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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