Re: Starting Seeds

Ah, that Spring Surge is starting:-)

Well, Tammy, it rather depends on which plants you're wanting to
start.  A lot of perennials should have been started last month or
last fall (I have several packets of those).  Some plants want cool
temperatures to germinate (like around 50-60F) and some want warm
(like around 65-70F).  Some need alternating temperatures - like
either warm, cold, warm or cold, warm to germinate.  Many annuals,
who are really tropical plants, want warm temperatures and will
simply rot if the soil stays too cold.

I suggest you check out Tom Clothier's seed germination databases for
annuals and perennials and see if you can find the plants you're
thinking about growing.  He gives germination temperatures and
requirements and length of time from sowing to germination for
hundreds of plants.  Then, if you can provide the needed temperatures
for germination and are able to care for the seedlings until it's
warm enough to start setting them outside to harden off, I say go for
it.

All but real heat lovers grow best at cooler temperatures - like the
45-60F range.  They don't grow fast, but they are more compact and
tougher than plants brought on in higher temperatures, so if you can
maintain that kind of range on your sun room, it should work fine for
growing on for many seedlings.  You don't want it to get to freezing
or below.  If it has a glass ceiling or faces south or west, you'll
also have to watch it for overheating on a sunny day and probably set
up a fan for air circulation....same as a greenhouse.

Here's the URl to Tom's homepage - hit the link for seeds at the top
of the page to get to the index with links to the germination
databases.

http://www.anet-chi.com/~manytimes/

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: Tammy Jones <tammlyn@EARTHLINK.NET>
> Date: Thursday, February 08, 2001 3:58 PM
>
> Perhaps I am getting a bit too anxious with the wonderfully mild
weather
> we've been experiencing the last two days in central Missouri, but
I was
> wondering if I could begin to start some perennial and annual
seeds.  I
> have an unheated sun room that I could put a small electric heater
in if
> necessary.  It may be a bit warmer than a free standing greenhouse
since
> it is connected to the house, but not by much.
>
> Suggestions/thoughts/ideas??
>
> Thanks!
> Tammy
> Central Missouri
> USDA Zone 5b
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