Sowing under glass?????

Hi All,

I want to sow some cyclamen hederifolium seeds, but i am a bit confused as the instruction state ' sow under glass'. What does this mean? Do i need to sow the seeds and put a piece of glass over the top or can i use a plastic seed cover?

Any help gratefully apreciated
Rusty

 

Recommended sowing in the greenhouse,needs a temp of approx 18°C

 

If you don't have a heated greenhouse / conservatory probably be fine in a seed tray, or "pan" (shallow pot), in a [sealed] plastic bag somewhere the right temperature - airing cupboard perhaps?. Make sure that you check twice a day so you can open the bag, and move them to where there is light (windowsill) as soon as they germinate. Open the neck of the bag more day by day (to increase the ventilation) and after 3 or 4 days you should be able to remove it - although it will do no harm to leave the pot in the bag, fully open at the top but providing some protection [humidity inside the bag will be better] provided that it does not compromise the amount of light the seedlings get.

Be careful that baby seedlings don't "cook" or dry out on a windowsill in strong sunlight - East facing might be best so they only get direct light from the relatively weaken sun in the morning, but there are no hard and fast rules :thumb:

Even if you do have a heated greenhouse / conservatory you might want to start them off in plastic bag in airing cupboard / similar to have more "control" over the germination and then move them to the well lit conservatory / greenhouse once they have sprouted. (I use a propagator to have the maximum control, but before I bought that I used "pans" and plastic bags ...)

 

I don't know if this is of any help to you. I am going to grow Cyclamen Hederifolium (Winter Cheer). Instructions on the back of the packet as follows.....

Sow Aug/Sept. Sow in trays of a good moist seed compost in a coldframe or cool greenhouse, 13-15C (55-60F) covering the seed with 6mm (1/4") of compost. Do not firm to heavily (germination 30-150 days). Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle 5cm (2") apart into trays and grow on without check, planting out the following spring in clumps. An ideal item for naturalising under trees.

Helpful Hint....Seed is slow and erratic to germinate and may benefit from pre-soaking for 24 hours in tepid water.

 

Thanks Kristen, Ii will try this.

Sheal - the instructions i have say sow Dec- March under glass and cover with black polythene to stop light getting to seeds. I will try what kristen said as i have put them in to soak overnight whilst im at work to sow in morning.

Thanks all for the information.
Rusty

 

Sorry, didn't read that they were Cyclamen. When I have germinated [outdoor] Cyclamen I have kept them in absolute total darkness at a cool temperature (10C - 16C) until they have germinated, and then into the light.

But I read conflicting advice as to whether that is strictly necessary.

I would still put the "pans" in plastic bags to retain moisture - that way they should not need watering until they have germinated as any water will condense on the inside of the plastic bag and run down and be reabsorbed by the compost in the pot