Getting prepared for this years first sowing using a heated propagator.
It's only a small one, so to save on space I'm going to experiment using some tiny plug plant trays saved from last year. They've all been thoroughly washed out using hot soapy water with a dash of bleach.
Each tray comes with it's own clear plastic casing, and once the seeds have germinated they will be moved onto a sunny windowsill for a bit before potting on.
First up is lobelia and chillies, I need to check my seed box for the other half hardies to follow. I will probably start the hardy seeds in my usual way, no heat in the conservatory.
You look very organised kitty. These are the seeds I have started wth mixed results. The first lot of calendulas germinated after 2 days on the heated propogator and just got too leggy too fast, so I've sown some more and covered them up this time to slow them down. reading conflicting views as to wether they need light or dark to germinate. I think some are getting a bit leggy but I will pot them on deeper when the time comes or find a windowsill with better light.
Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.
Thank you Bright star, you look well ahead with your sowing
I hold back from too much early sowing as I have to wait longer before planting out in the north west.
I'm no expert but as a general rule it's warmth to germinate, especially half hardy plants. Once the seeds start to sprout they need plenty of light, they get leggy searching for the sunlight. On windowsills it's helpful to turn the pots every few days so they don't grow lopsided.
I think calendula is a hardy annual (???) and maybe didn't need the extra heat. I shall be waiting until March to start sowing my hardy seeds (some can be planted directly outside).
Will be saving the propagator for the ones that need mollycoddling. Once they're up they will go on the shelf with the rest in the conservatory. There's a photo of my "Tower of Terror" on page 1 of last years thread (2016 link at the start of this one).
Kitty 2 says:I'm no expert but as a general rule it's warmth to germinate, especially half hardy plants. Once the seeds start to sprout they need plenty of light, they get leggy searching for the sunlight. On windowsills it's helpful to turn the pots every few days so they don't grow lopsided.See original post
I think I should have waited, and will wait to sow the rest of my seeds, even if they do say January, as they have become leggy with the last few days of nothing but cloud. First time sowing seed only still within my first year of gardening (even though it has become a real obsession) so first the worst, as the school rhyme goes
We're still learning Tigrah so don't worry too much, I've moved some of my seeds to a south facing window upstairs and leggy seedlings can be potted on deeper. I now understand why people sow later on when the light levels are better and seedlings don't have to stretch as much to get to light
Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.
I sowed Calendula last Sept in pots which have been left outside all winter. They are quite large now, one even flowered at Christmas and the others have buds on them. They are H A and its been said that the less you do for them the better they grow.
I think I'll do the same next time, flowers in my the rain, I've sown quite a few that could have been autumn sown, it will mean less to grow in the spring which will please my OH no end as seedlings are taking over the house!?. Its all part of my cunning plan to eventually get a small greenhouse.?
Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.
Ah that is so awful aym. Agree to the installment of a security camera, then you will have a 'face on film'
I would do the same as you and make a display out of annuals in the front garden. Pick out ones that have a long flowering season and some self seeders.
That's awful Aym! My girlfriend was telling me the other day about how somebody had dig up and stolen her grandads treasured rose some years ago whilst he was in hospital. You can't believe people can be so awful. I think it's especially odd to steal plants of ask things anyway. I would definitely sow some more wild flower seeds and annuals out there, using seeds to keep it cheap too - which will penally be better if you're moving anyway, and be good for the bees! Poppies, cornflowers, foxgloves, marigold, even some sunflowers!
Posts
Getting prepared for this years first sowing using a heated propagator.
It's only a small one, so to save on space I'm going to experiment using some tiny plug plant trays saved from last year. They've all been thoroughly washed out using hot soapy water with a dash of bleach.
Each tray comes with it's own clear plastic casing, and once the seeds have germinated they will be moved onto a sunny windowsill for a bit before potting on.
First up is lobelia and chillies, I need to check my seed box for the other half hardies to follow. I will probably start the hardy seeds in my usual way, no heat in the conservatory.
Happy growing ???
You look very organised kitty. These are the seeds I have started wth mixed results. The first lot of calendulas germinated after 2 days on the heated propogator and just got too leggy too fast, so I've sown some more and covered them up this time to slow them down. reading conflicting views as to wether they need light or dark to germinate. I think some are getting a bit leggy but I will pot them on deeper when the time comes or find a windowsill with better light.
Thank you Bright star, you look well ahead with your sowing
I hold back from too much early sowing as I have to wait longer before planting out in the north west.
I'm no expert but as a general rule it's warmth to germinate, especially half hardy plants. Once the seeds start to sprout they need plenty of light, they get leggy searching for the sunlight. On windowsills it's helpful to turn the pots every few days so they don't grow lopsided.
I think calendula is a hardy annual (???) and maybe didn't need the extra heat. I shall be waiting until March to start sowing my hardy seeds (some can be planted directly outside).
Will be saving the propagator for the ones that need mollycoddling
. Once they're up they will go on the shelf with the rest in the conservatory. There's a photo of my "Tower of Terror" on page 1 of last years thread (2016 link at the start of this one).
I think I should have waited, and will wait to sow the rest of my seeds, even if they do say January, as they have become leggy with the last few days of nothing but cloud. First time sowing seed only still within my first year of gardening (even though it has become a real obsession) so first the worst, as the school rhyme goes
We're still learning Tigrah so don't worry too much, I've moved some of my seeds to a south facing window upstairs and leggy seedlings can be potted on deeper. I now understand why people sow later on when the light levels are better and seedlings don't have to stretch as much to get to light
I sowed Calendula last Sept in pots which have been left outside all winter. They are quite large now, one even flowered at Christmas and the others have buds on them. They are H A and its been said that the less you do for them the better they grow.
I think I'll do the same next time, flowers in my the rain, I've sown quite a few that could have been autumn sown, it will mean less to grow in the spring which will please my OH no end as seedlings are taking over the house!?. Its all part of my cunning plan to eventually get a small greenhouse.?
That's terrible aym280! You'll have to take photos so you know what was where. Could you set up a security camera to try catch them.
Ah that is so awful aym. Agree to the installment of a security camera, then you will have a 'face on film'
I would do the same as you and make a display out of annuals in the front garden. Pick out ones that have a long flowering season and some self seeders.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for your Hellebores.
That's awful Aym! My girlfriend was telling me the other day about how somebody had dig up and stolen her grandads treasured rose some years ago whilst he was in hospital. You can't believe people can be so awful. I think it's especially odd to steal plants of ask things anyway. I would definitely sow some more wild flower seeds and annuals out there, using seeds to keep it cheap too - which will penally be better if you're moving anyway, and be good for the bees! Poppies, cornflowers, foxgloves, marigold, even some sunflowers!