Seeds - how difficult can they get?

I have just started sowing my seeds. Most appear to be simple, but there are always some difficult ones. Kochia (a half hardy annual green bush) is the first off the marks. Sowed (inside the house - but coolish) on 26 Feb and already germinating on 28 Feb.

Then we have Alstroemeria. The instructions say 1)soak for 24 hours, 2)sow and keep at 86F for 3 to 4 weeks, 3)then keep at 41F for 3 to 4 weeks 4)then transfer to 70F!!! Next packet was Eremurus Robustus (foxtail lily), where the packet says germination time up to a year. And my fridge is already full with trays of Verbena Hastata, Verbena Rigida, and Geranium Psilostemon, that need a cold period.

Is it all worth it? What have you persevered with?.........Edited date

[ 28. February 2006, 02:29 PM: Message edited by: PeterS ]

 

I've got paeonia daylavii (? spelling?) in the fridge, where it has to stay for 2 -3 months, come out for 2-3 months, go back again until it germinates - but you're not allowed to peek! Help! It would be easier to shove it in the garden and forget about it for a couple of years and let it do its thing! If you've any advice re sarcococca confusa, I'd welcome uit too! It's doing nothing at the moment, and I haven't peeked!

 

Peter, you dont have to sow the seed in trays when you put them in the fridge, I mix the seed with some damp peat in a plastic bag, then put that in the fridge.
You can then take it out after the correct chilling time and sow the whole lot.
Alternatively, buy the seed early and put it outside in a covered container.

 

How can you not peek Nixon. That is part of the fun - I could not control myself.

Good point Pete about the plastic bag. I have never had many difficult ones before, but there seem to be more this time.

I have still got Aconitum Napellus and Carmichaelii in an uncovered tray in the garden (up to a year germination), which I sowed nearly a year ago. Two or three things are starting to grow, but as the tray has been uncovered for a year - they could be anything - I would not recognise a half inch Aconitum even if it was genuine!!

 

"sow seed, water in and stand back immediately " thats what I always say about Kochia, mine always germinate over night(22c). They are very quick although I don't put them in till Mid march.I've not grown Alstroemeria yet so I can't help. I've just sown Verbena Rigida Venosa today (2,500) and they are known to be erratic so persevere.

 

Where did you buy the seed Peter, was it T&M?

 

Strongylodon ---- I have never tried Kochia before - I already like it! Verbena Bonariensis previously was difficult - but then finally every single seed germinated simultaneously - all 1,800 of them or what ever the number was!! But I got impatient and gave up on Verbena Hastata when I tried it before.

Pete ----- I try to spread my purchases between T&M, Chilterns, and Mr F. - just to keep the catalogues coming. I also get seeds from the RHS.

The Alstromeria and Geranium Psilostemon was from Chiltern, Eremurus and purple Verbena Rigida RHS, and Verbena Hastata and blue Verbena Rigida from my garden.

 

i tried palms ... it said add warm water , soak for a few days then sow and wait up to 2 months .......... not a sign, and that included 2 varieties..... i think the water was too hot!

 

I picked up a handful of Phoenix(date palm)seeds of the ground last July in Tenerife. Out of 20 seeds only 2 germinated, they were maybe fresher than the rest but on inspection after 3 months the others were found to be rotten. Some palm seeds can take 6 months to germinate so a lot of patience is needed for them. Some guides tell you to start them of in rotting turf though i've not tried it.

 

Peter, I only asked because T&M do seem to like to make it all sound pretty difficult.

As for palms, I've tried quite a lot from time to time, and I have only sucseeded with chamaerops humillis, I think from Jungle seeds, all other purchased seed has been a failure.
However fresh seed collected myself and sown immeadiately or pretty soon, has always germinated well.

 

Pete, I just had a look at the Chiltern's packet for the Alstromeria. Normally they do not give any instructions, but on this packet they had an extra label with the instructions on.

I suspect you are right about T & M and even the others. If they give over complicated instructions and the seeds don't germinate, you know it is not their fault because the chances are that you did not exactly follow the instructions - so the fault must be yours.

It is a bit like them describing many tender perennials as annuals. It lets them off the hook if they die over the winter.

 

Exactly Peter, didn't like to say it, but I wonder just how many people bother to try to get their money back on a packet of seeds they sowed 12 months or more ago, that didn't germinate.
If we all did that, I think most seed companies would go out of buisness, at least on the more risky types.
But then again they would probably stop selling them, which wouldn't be good either. :rolleyes:

 

How did they do? My experience of Alstros (and Bomarea) is that they germinate in their own good time without too much messing if kept cool (ie; 10°c) at the start.

Lapagaria, only to kill it when I potted it up
Tacca (still failing!)
Clianthus/Swainsona formosa - germinate reliably if kept on the dry side of moist after a few months.
Dietes - I seem to struggle with the Iris family
Tricyrtis. Some need cool, some warmer.

 

I have tried seeds that take a year to germinate, most often during the year which is a loooong time I forget about them and they just dry up!!! Good luck with yours!!

Val

 

I've been a bit naughty Val and dragged an old thread up! This is from 2006!!!!