Seed germination problem

I'm no beginner at propagation but this year I tried three varieties of seed from Thomson Morgan, Primula Obconica (Twilly touch me), Primula Renaissance, and Polyanthus (Discovering Stripes). I started the first two off in February(following all packet instructions) and kept them on my kitchen windowsill. They are both now in my un-heated greenhouse and I've just about given up on them. The third variety I sowed in early May; it's still on the windowsill but nothing seems to be happening.
I've sown different varieties of primula and polyanthus in the past and have always had results. I'm puzzled by the current failures.

 

These i grow in a very gritty compost and then i put very fine grit on the top of the pot and sow the seed ontop of that and water them in then put them in a really shady place and keep them watered, i find heat stops them from germinating, worth putting them somewhere cold and shady and watering them well

 

Hi Jack.Next time you so polyanthus,so the seed on top of the compost,but do not cover as they need light to germinate,when you see signs of growth, then sprinkle a little vermiculite on top.Then follow the packet instructions.

Good Luck
Kandy

 

Primrose and polys can be temperamental, they may need stratifying to get them going if you haven't done so already.

 

Having the same problem with ever lasting peas,
Mr Fothergills, sent back the packet which they replaced plus a �£2 gift voucher I thought very generous soaked them overnight nothings happening yet, The Violas were up in 10 days just pricked them all out. Ah well you win some and lose some I suppose....

 

It's likely that your problems with germinating seed is more to do with the source than anything else. T&M generally have a bad rep (awaits flaming and defensive comments from satisfied T&M customers) regarding germination rates.

A fellow nursery owner friend of mine took a tour of the T&M facilities and saw that all of the seed there is stored in what amounts to a tin shed where the summer temps go sky high. Not a good environment for seed storage.

 

Had a poke around in the soil yesterday to find summat sprouting reckon its those everlasting peas....so gave them a good watering perhaps not damp enough.Re seeds I never have any problems with the ones I have grown I just reckoned the bought ones were stale...

 

is it sweetpeas ROSIETO IF IT IS COULD I HAVE SOME PLEASE CANT SEEM TO FIND ANY AROUND HERE.

 

Fancy, and anyone else who might be interested If you need some everlasting sweet peas,then I am drying off loads.

If you mail me with your address,I will send you some.They are the pink sort.

Kandy

 

Thanks for replies which I've only just read (computer problems this time!).
In the mean-time packets have been returned to T&M and replaced by them. I'll keep the advice in mind when sowing next Spring.

 

Jack. Its no consolation, but Beth Chatto says that she never throws seed trays away until a lapse of two years. The implication is that things that don't germinate may do so at a very much later date.

 

That makes sense. Some seeds can remain dormant for decades if conditions aren't right for them. Then when conditions are right - they spring to life as the famous poppies of Flanders did when shell fire disturbed the soil. All sorts of factors influence germination - soil type and texture, temperature,frost action, moisture, depth, hours of daylight and in the case of orchids - the presence of just the right kind of fungus in the soil.

Pretty certain that primulas need frost action and we haven't had a lot of frost in recent winters and a kitchen window sill would be too warm. Put them in the fridge for a week or two.

 

Primulas such as polyanthus should not need frost action to germinate. But you do need good fresh seed to germinate. I have had similar results with T and M. Meconopsis seed (somebody bought it for me). I can get Meconopsis sprouting like cress with my own seed but from that packet i got 5 sprouts.
Primulas will go into dormancy if the temperatire goes above 70 so no kitchen windows. I sow in trays and put outside in shade and keep moist at all times. Polyanthus should germinate in 2- 3 weeks.
If you want perennials forget about Tand M, they are worse than useless.