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Seed germination - any hope for ones sown too early?
Tootles
Posts: 1,469
Hi folks, in your experience, is there any point in hanging on to trays full of seeds that I planted about 8 weeks ago with no sign of germination? They are in an unheated greenhouse. I was a bit too keen and think I planted too early. Is it wishful thinking to assume they will just sprout when they are ready? What happens to them when they don't sprout? Do seeds sort of die?? I did tomatoes, chillies, cosmos, dahlias and sweet peas. Not a cheap mistake!! That'll teach me!
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I would give up on those and do some more, can you have them in your kitchen, its still cold at night in an unheated greenhouse. They germinate very quickly now. Most of mine sown in the kitchen on the 1st april are up.
Tootles, I think that if the conditions are too cold then the seeds would just rot in the moist compost.
There is a thread about heated propagators; I am a fan, but some others aren't. I have an electric frost buster heater in my greenhouse so when the seeds have germinated in the heated propagator in the kitchen, they can be transferred to the greenhouse, liberating the propagator for the next batch of seeds. The propagator has 7 little troughs with lids and cost about £30.
Thanks Lyn, Artjak. I saw a heated propagator today for £30: I might just get one now. Gutted about my seeds though. I might just have a go at singing to them tomorrow; give em one last day to make an appearance!!
Tootles, just be aware; they don't like Cliff Richard's songs
Noted Artjak, with thanks. I'll try a bit of lionel rich-tea then
artjak, does anyone younger than 60 like CR songs?
Not sure what the audience age for CR is nowadays - MIL is 70+ and has an apoplectic fit
if she hears CR or even if he's mentioned in conversation 
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have to say some of the seeds I sowed back in late February only started germinating last week and I too have an un-heated GH so you never know you may have a little chance!