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Persicaria Kiss me Over The Garden Gate.

The_Lazy_GardenerThe_Lazy_Gardener Posts: 165
in Problem solving
Hi, got one of these to germinate. But it's been like this for about 3 weeks now. Just won't grow. What should I do. Can't seem to grow anything from seed. 😭😭😭😭😭😭
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    The compost looks as if it's waterlogged.
    Plants need air around the roots as well as water.
    Such a tiny seedling in such a big pot of very wet compost is not ideal and is the likely cause of the problem.
    I think you're over-caring for you seedling.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • The_Lazy_GardenerThe_Lazy_Gardener Posts: 165
    Ok thanks, it's not waterlogged. Why does the pot size matter? Shall I repot it? 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    If it were mine it would be in a 3" pot - then when roots come out of the bottom, put it in a bigger pot and repeat until you're ready to plant it out.
    There's a lot of compost in that pot compared to the small amount of roots your seedling has. Once the compost is wet it'll mostly dry out by evaporation and not because the roots are taking up the water, so the water may become stagnant in the mean time or rot the roots.
    I'd plant it in a 3" pot and keep the compost just slightly moist - they're very tough plants.
    It should also be somewhere outside.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • The_Lazy_GardenerThe_Lazy_Gardener Posts: 165
    Ok, thanks for your help. Will do that. 

    Hopefully I'll have some luck.

    Thanks again
     

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - the size of the pot is the main problem. Putting a tiny seedling in a great big pot will cause them to struggle. Fragile, tiny roots are sitting in wet soil for too long.
    A 2 inch pot would probably be big enough, but a 3 inch one with some nice free draining, gritty compost will be fine, as that allows excess water to drain away  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • The_Lazy_GardenerThe_Lazy_Gardener Posts: 165
    Thanks a lot... There's hope for my little friend. 😆 🤞
  • The_Lazy_GardenerThe_Lazy_Gardener Posts: 165
    I've potted it on. Compost looked wet but wasn't. Just hope it will work. Apprently it self seeds. Once you've got it and all that. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Yes they're tough plants - many persicarias (Redshank) are weeds - I have masses of them that I pull up. Yours is just a variety that looks good in a garden, but still a very tough plant.
    I also recently bought a Persicaria Bistorta Superba - It arrived as a tiny 'bulb' 10 days ago, but is already producing leaves

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • The_Lazy_GardenerThe_Lazy_Gardener Posts: 165
    "Weeds" just a plant in the wrong place surely LOL 😆

    Fingers crossed. Thanks for all your help. 

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Very true - good luck!

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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