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Is the germination of Zinnia seeds temperature critical?
young codger
Posts: 543
in Plants
I recently had only a 50% germination success rate with some Zinnia seeds. The other 50% did not appear later-they just failed to germinate.
A 20 degree germination temp is stated as the requirement. Usually, seeds have a bit of of tolerence on the germination temp.
I had them in the airing cupboard but I think the temperature is only reaching about 17 degrees, and is bit low,
What are your experiences of this sort of thing?
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I've the very odd Zinnia seed that fails to germinate but most seem to germinate in any remotely warm (15-20 degrees C). Usually germinate within a few days.
Zinnias usually need light to germinate, maybe it was too dark in the airing cupboard.
Busy-Lizzie, do you mean once they have come through the the surface of the seed compost? I know that there are some seeds that do not require covering On the Zinnia instructions it does say cover lightly.
Last edited: 20 May 2017 12:00:57
No, before they come through, in order to come through at all, at germination. That is why you cover the seeds lightly, to let the light through.
I may try some on the south facing windowsill. Certainly a greater chance of light permeating though to the seeds there.
Last edited: 21 May 2017 13:45:59
I have a packet of Zinnia that says optimum germination temperature of 25-27 degrees!
Mine germinated at less than that, back in March on a window sill.
Maybe different varieties of Zinnia require different temps?
I found the airing cupboard was very fast for wallflower germination. In fact, I got caught out recently. I put some in last month just to try it, and when I checked them just 5 days later they were about 40cm and straggly. They must have germinated at about 3 days.
When I try again I will be checking daily.
Last edited: 22 May 2017 10:53:57