Quit while I still have time?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Mar 1, 2014.

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  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Things are not going well. The Livingstone Daisies that Mrs C sowed last weekend germinated in only a few days, however upon checking them this morning, the whole tray is covered in a white mould that has smothered at least 80% of the seedlings. The compost was exactly the same as the stuff in other trays also sowed last weekend, and no other tray is showing any signs of problems.

    Try again, or just try and get plugs or plants ready grown?

    And my begonias in the grow cupboard - I have one tray which has a huge cluster of seedlings (so close together, I have no idea how I am going to separate them), and a few trays with the odd wee seedling dotted about; these are all boliviensis seedlings. There are two trays that are supposed to have non-stop rose petticoat seeds in them - not a single seedling; nada, now't. Now, I am lighting and heating the grow cupboard for these, and I am starting to wonder if that light would be better employed for my peppers and chillies, as I am not convinced that the begonias are going to come to anything.

    I am also deeply disappointed by the dichondra silver falls - 30 seeds sown, 3 seedlings germinated.

    Should I quit while I still have time to grow other stuff?

    Notably, all the failed seeds are from T&M - so I am now starting to think that last years disappointment wasn't a one off.
     
    Fat Controller, Mar 1, 2014
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  2. pamsdish

    pamsdish Total Gardener

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    pamsdish, Mar 1, 2014
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  3. Spruce

    Spruce Glad to be back .....

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    Hi

    You need to water with "cheshunt compound"
     
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  4. HarryS

    HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    Never ever had a problem with T and M seeds , but as the seed of doubt is planted in your mind I would use another supplier.
    I don't think you can buy Cheshunt compound these days . There are other copper based fungicides on the market unless they have all been banned by now. If you would like some copper fungicide FC I can post you a packet just pm me your address.
    I would go over your seed sowing basics and try again , follow the cultural instructions on the packet . Plenty time yet , don't give up :blue thumb:
     
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  5. Spruce

    Spruce Glad to be back .....

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    yes you can H , ebay just had a nose :th scifD36:

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chestnut-...arden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item1e87b5517c
     
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      Spruce, Mar 1, 2014
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    • HarryS

      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      dont all rush in they have it on sale every week , I bought my winter bee treatment from him
       
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      Thanks @HarryS - I am going to turf the whole tray and start again, as most of those that are smothered by the mould have already bitten the dust. I think part of the problem might have been a slight lack of light as I hadn't got them onto shelving at the French doors as I usually do. I've got another couple of packets (Suttons) today to try again.

      As for the begonias, I will leave them in the grow cupboard for now, but I have zero faith in them in the long term, so I have bought three packets of trailing petunia seeds which I will kick off shortly - I would rather be over-run with plants than not have enough :dbgrtmb: besides, any extras will go to the neighbours.
       
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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      Begonias/impatiens are difficult to grow from seed I have found, and have tried several times only had a few each time somethings are just best bought as plants as normally the seeds are always more expensive as well , they need the best of everything heat light moisture get one thing wrong and the end up dead , so don't feel dis heartened.
       
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      • Fern4

        Fern4 Total Gardener

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        I'm having the same problem with some T&M seeds. At the moment I've got Penstemon heterophyllus "true blue" seeds from T&M in the prop in one pot and Phacelia Bolanderi and Antirrhinum Braun Blanquetti in two other pots. The PB and ABB are fine and are not T&M seeds. This white mould has happened with other T&M seeds.

        I've noticed that the seeds I have from T&M haven't got a sow by date on the packet but my other packet seeds have. I thought maybe that the T&M seeds were old. At any rate, it's put me off buying T&M seeds.

        You're right though, it is disappointing because I can't find Penstemon Heterophylus "True Blue" seeds for sale by anyone else in the UK.
         
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      • Spruce

        Spruce Glad to be back .....

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        @Fern4

        I will have a nose about for you
         
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      • Fern4

        Fern4 Total Gardener

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        Thanks! :blue thumb:
         
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      • Spruce

        Spruce Glad to be back .....

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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          I have just about had my fill. To be honest, I am going to sleep on it for a night, but I am seriously considering sending as much as I can back to T&M for a refund and cancelling all orders that are not yet despatched. This is the third year in a row where I haven't got what I ordered, and what I have got has been nothing more than over-priced rubbish.
           
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          • mowgley

            mowgley Total Gardener

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            Don't give up @fat controller. Like everyone says there is plenty of time left yet.
            To be honest I avoid T&M, this year I've got all my seeds from premier seeds, seedaholic and wilko's, though I've had another mare with some canna seeds.
            I noticed this year a tip I've learnt is to water all the compost before sowing with boiling water.
            Fingers crossed no mould :blue thumb: So far pretty good germination rates..
             
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              mowgley, Mar 1, 2014
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