Help ! Seeds requiring light to germinated
- To: "L*@aol.com"
- Subject: Help ! Seeds requiring light to germinated
- From: B* &* G* P*
- Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 20:36:14 -0500
Approximately 1/2 the variety of seeds that I sowed under lights last year
were perennials and 1/2 annuals. The same applies this year. While our
gardens are primarily perennial, the volume of *new* plants are usually
annuals. Germination rates for perennials are not as important to me as
annuals. Last year I had such a bad experience with impatiens that we
bought them at a nursery. Germination rates were 6% and 23% on 2 varieties.
They were sown in flats, seeds left uncovered, flats enclosed in plastic
freezer bags and placed under lights.
On Jan 24, I started this years fun with statice and viola. The statice was
covered with the "mix", left in the dark at 75-80 degrees and germinated in
2 days rather than the expected 14-21 days. This is consistent with last
year's fast germination for most seeds.
But the violas which require light for germination are a different story. I
sowed them in shallow furrows, lightly pressed the seeds in, covered with a
sheet of plexiglass and place under lights which are 4-5 inches above the
flat. Nothing had germinated as of this morning (5 days). Expected
germination is 4-7 days. So I covered the seeds *lightly* with vermiculite
and now wait some more. (This was the method specified in the "American
Horticultural Society Plant Propagation book which states that vermiculite
allows air and light to reach the seeds.) Lack of moisture is not an issue.
I'm scheduled to start two varieties of impatiens (require light for
germination) on Jan 31. I need a minimum of 44 plants out of 180 seeds and
really would like a lot more for giving away to friends, family and
neighbors. Should I cover them with vermiculite as I did with the viola
this morning? Any other ideas?
Bob & Georgia Parker
gardening in Foxborough MA - Zone 6
a*@ici.net
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