I'm trying them this year for the first time (electric blue and pina colada pink) Mine were sown in a heated propagator but as soon as they started to germinate I took the pots into the (unheated) GH. They're still tiny but seem fine. I put a plastic propagator lid over them at night...and the GH still has bubble wrap up which probably prevents too much light getting through.
Looking at the photograph the seedlings appear to be drawn and leggy. I suspect it's a combination of temperature and light. Too much of the former and not enough of the latter. Did you take them off heat as soon as the first seedlings appeared? The ones that have not shed the seed case are not as drawn as the dying ones which seems to indicate to me that you left them on the heat whilst more seedlings appeared. Drawing (or legginess) of seedlings also indicates lack of light, this condition is exacerbated by too much heat. Have another go. As soon as the first seedlings appear reduce the heat, if possible to around 15 to 18 °C and get them into good light, preferable not a window. If you don't have a greenhouse or cold frame line a cardboard box with cooking foil, put the seedlings in that and cover it with a sheet of glass or plastic sheet. Lift the whole box in at night and in rainy weather. This last bit is to keep the box dry. Good luck.
I am by no means an expert, but I rooted penstemon cuttings in a glass of water, potted them up when they had a bit of a root system and they were fine. Some were then planted in the garden and some left in pots outside, but it remains to be seen whether they survived the winter The same worked for gaura as well.
Cuttings are a much better idea. They are very easy and offspring will be identical to parents. Either use B3's method, or grow in soil, which is what I do.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
I tend to agree with you Punkdoc. My cuttings were always successful,but this year I've planted seeds,kept on the kitchen windowsill. They are on the third set of leaves,and seem quite strong,I'm hoping for varying colours,it was a free packet with a garden mag! When I did cuttings,I dipped in rooting powder,and put 3 to a 4" pot,then put them in a cellophane wrapper from greetings cards.I found this didn't cling to them like polyethylene.
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
I took penstemon cuttings last year as they are not too hardy here in Scotland. Popped them under a shrub for protection over winter but didn't factor in a foot of snow. Doubt if either the cuttings or the plants will have survived!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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I'm trying them this year for the first time (electric blue and pina colada pink) Mine were sown in a heated propagator but as soon as they started to germinate I took the pots into the (unheated) GH. They're still tiny but seem fine. I put a plastic propagator lid over them at night...and the GH still has bubble wrap up which probably prevents too much light getting through.
The same thing is starting to happen again. I just dont understand it everything else is doing really well. These have not been grown under lights
So far i have eliminated: Growing under lights, container depth, moisture levels.
I dont thinks its damping off as its the leaves that go brown the stems dont collapse imediately. The window they are on is west facing.
I sow themin my cold greenhouse when winter has gone away. More light avaiable then as well as warmth.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Ill try that as a last resort as i dont think these are going to survive.
Have another go. As soon as the first seedlings appear reduce the heat, if possible to around 15 to 18 °C and get them into good light, preferable not a window. If you don't have a greenhouse or cold frame line a cardboard box with cooking foil, put the seedlings in that and cover it with a sheet of glass or plastic sheet. Lift the whole box in at night and in rainy weather. This last bit is to keep the box dry.
Good luck.
The same worked for gaura as well.
Either use B3's method, or grow in soil, which is what I do.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
When I did cuttings,I dipped in rooting powder,and put 3 to a 4" pot,then put them in a cellophane wrapper from greetings cards.I found this didn't cling to them like polyethylene.