First sowings in 2021

My first sowing this year is indoors with leeks. First early variety 'warwick f1'.
The packet advises keeping them at 15° approx. I've put a thermometer on the bedroom windowsill, and that generally ranges from 15 to 20° over 24hrs.. It's west facing so there's little sun to boost it there at this time of year.
If they grow nicely I'll follow with a second batch in a months time.
Growing from seed is a satisfying pastime

 

I sowed some Aeonium tabuliforme yesterday, the packet said very tiny seed.

Tiny was not the right word, microscopic would be better, there was just a small speck of brown dust.
Be interesting to see if anything happens.

 

The finest seed I sow is Laurentia, that again is like dust. I mix the seeds with silver sand to help spread it over the seed compost. Try not to sneeze while doing this!

 

I've sown lupin seeds that came up after 3 days and last Saturday I sowed chillies.

 

I sowed some broad beans in individual pots in the greenhouse. Jut noticed that a mouse appears to have taken them all! So next batch protected by a seed tray cover. Unfortunately my cats don't have their own door into the greenhouse, otherwise the mice would be gone...

 

for you @pete. Think of Eucalyptus seed, and the end results of that!

 

These were much smaller than Eucalyptus seed, literally a brown smudge on white paper.

 

I've been sowing orchid seed recently - also rather tiny!

 

Talking about microscopic seed. Caring for the Brigadier's garde. He purchased a packet of F1 Hybrid seed. Can't remember if it was Petunia or Cleome. Seeing the miniscule amount of seed. He almost started WW3. I was totally out of order but I couldn't help blurting out. You tight git. Later he apologised for his outburst, and laughed at my responce. Just a blast from the past.

 

He probably remembers the days when you bought your seed in Woolworths and you could shake the big packet and it would rattle.

 

I tried growing Lobelia from seed a few years back.
When i opened the packet i was quite alarmed by the 'dust' within.
I'm happier (and more confident) with seeds that i can drop individually into modules.

 

Agree. Sometimes you really have search in the folds of the pkts to make sure you have hunted out every single last seed!!.

Hate to have the job of counting them out into their pkts!!!! I know they are probably done by machine....but how delicate must the weights be!!!! How do you weigh teensy weensy amounts of dust!!!

 

I've sown a lot of fern spore over the years, you daren't breath for fear of hoovering them up!

 

The early warwick f1 leeks that i sowed on the 18th of January are growing nicely.
I used a light box reflector which i made with a milk carton. The pots are square yogurt pots. I drilled a hole in one, and then inserted it into a undrilled one for safe drainage.
Initially i had clear plastic and an elastic band around them, until germination.
Then i inserted a piece of white reflective plastic to give good light reflection.. (you can just paint the carton flap if preferred)
These are ideal for a window sill to get seeds going.

 

Nice bit of multi use and up cycling there @JR

Rusty