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Re: Distribution of Fine Seeds for Germination

> Date:          Tue, 18 Mar 1997 00:00:41 +0100
> To:            seeds-list@eskimo.com, seeds-list@eskimo.com
> From:          Asle Serigstad <asles@online.no>
> Subject:       Re: Distribution of Fine Seeds for Germination
> Reply-to:      seeds-list@eskimo.com

> At 11:45 17.03.97 PST, Duncan McAlpine wrote:
> >I know most of novice gardeners like myself, receive a packet of seeds
> >which are so small you wonder, "How do I distribute the seeds correctly on
> >the media?"                                           
> >
> >When I pour the seed out on my media, I say "Well there is 20+ seeds in that
> >corner. I need to focus on separating my seeds".
> >
> >So, this leads to a question....Do any of you have a special tool which you
> >use for distribution of fine seeds or do you wing it like me?
> 
> It is a question of technique. After some practice, you should be able to
> sow even very small seeds rather equally spread to the surface. I always use
> a sheet of rather thick paper, with the size around 10 x 15 cm, which I fold
> once, so the seeds fall out only in a narrow line along the fold (hold the
> paper like a V ). You control the sowing much better this way than sowing
> from the seed bag.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Asle Serigstad
> 
> Asle's Staudegartneri - perennial nursery in south-west of Norway
> Snail-Mail: Asle Serigstad, Lalandsvn. 351, N-4340 BRYNE, NORWAY  
> E-Mail:     asles@online.no		    			    
> Homepage:   http:/home.sol.no/asles 
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 I agree with Asles, technique is everything and practice is 
everything else. I simply place the seed on the palm of my hand 
(roughly 250 seeds per flat 10" x 15") and shake them along my 
fingers quite vigorously until they fall off (seeds, not fingers). 
It often helps to check on evenness of sowing by looking along the 
surface of the flat with your eyes almost closed (squinting). The 
seeds seem to be more visible this way. Also, if you cover dark seeds 
with a white powder before sowing (chalk or flower) they are easier 
to see against the potting mix.

Terry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Terry Dowdeswell
Tuakau, New Zealand
Terry@delphinium.co.nz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.delphinium.co.nz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time flies like the wind - fruit flies like bananas
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