What Flower seeds are you sowing now

[Ladygardener]

Sorry to hear about the Eryngium, hopefully these ones will be more sucessfull for you.
My poppy's are definately germinated.

[Rosefriend]

Talking about poppies - when are you supposed to sow them?

RF

[Tig]

Now? I sowed some burgundy frills and victoria cross on the 9th March directly in situ, they are showing now. And I have sown Californian Poppies (eschscholtzia) also direct on 16/3, and I can see them germinating too

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

Now is indeed a good time to start sowing your poppies. For those of you whom I sent the burgundy frills the seed packet says
hardy annual
ideal for borders or cottage gardens
sow early spring to early summer
prefers most soils in sunny positions and flowers early to mid summer height 24-36 inches
prmoving spent flower heads will encourage further blooming.
hope this helps

[Jasmine]

Thanks for the reminder LG - hadn't remembered how tall they would get.
I sowed some Orlaya Grandiflora today (white lace flower) - they were free with Gardens Illustrated. I sowed 5 - there are a few left in the packet if anyone would like them.

[Mowhay]

Sowed mine in 24 cell seed trays with plastic covers over them in my unheated greenhouse

22nd March
Chrysanthemum Bright Eyes - through on 29th
Chrysanthemum German Flag - through on 28th
Chrysanthemum Summer Festival - through on 29th
Marigold Colossus - through on 27th
Marigold Hero Red - through on 26th
Scabiosa Ebony and Ivory - through on 29th

23rd
Calendula Neon - direct into pots
Cornflower Polka Dot - direct into pots

25th
Aster Spider Mixed
Cosmos Sensation Mixed

[Auricula]

Ooh thanks - I'll sow my poppies this afternoon
I'm not very good with germinating seeds in the greenhouse - I often buy the tiny ready germinated blocks from the GC although you don't get a wide choice.
I doon't think my greenhouse is consistently warm enough - also, it is a long way from the house so I always water with rain water from the barrels which i understand is not good!!

[Ladygardener]

Why is the rain water not good I wonder? Is it maybe because there might be debrie or insects in it? Since I've been using my covered back yard for my seedlings,(this is the first year I've done this) I've been using the rain water which I catch in the bucket to water them. They're all doing grand I have to say.

[Ladygardener]

My double blue cornflower have germinated and are now in the spare front bedroom. ;D

[Ladygardener]

I was outside watering this morning and noticed that the night scented/virginian stock has germinated where I sowed it direct in the border. ;D I'm very pleased.

[andy]

Just about to sow my Clary sage....absolutely love the stuff but never grown it before

[Tig]

I had that last year for the first time Andy, it lasted until the frosts.
Sown some cosmos and lobelia this aft. Will sow some nasturtiums after tea.

[Ladygardener]

I've been busy in the garden this morning as it's dry. Sowed some more Cornflower doubles Basil and some more Rudbeckia. I've also sown my first lot of Corriander and Mingonette. I've sown another half a packet of Hurst Greenshaft. That's it for now I think.

[Chuckles]

I'm not sowing any more flowers now till mid May time and then some more later, the ones that can be sown later that is ;D

[Jasmine]

I have sowed some Hellebore Mrs Betty Ranicar, Penstemon Blue Spring and Hibiscus Moscheutos Galaxy. Sowed some Gaura The Bride about 2 weeks ago.

[Auricula]

Is it too late to sow nasturtium seeds?
If not - should I sow them direct, or in pots in the greenhouse?

[Tig]

Outdoor sowings of nasturtiums are fine from April to June (especially in your neck of the woods Auricula) - mine are just pushed into the soil wherever I think they may grow. Weird things - the worse the soil conditions the better they seem to grow!

I must sow some more californian poppies, zinnia, godetia and clary sooon ..

Saving the cerinthe and a few others until later ...

x Tig

[Auricula]

Thanks - I shall get some California poppies and zinnias too - although I'm pretty useless with seeds

[Tig]

There are loads of annuals that need nothing more than sowing and watering in - you just need to keep watering them every few days until they germinate and then let them get used to your conditions - just don't weed, or you will probably pull them all out or hoe them off!

x Tig

[Auricula]

That's half the trouble - I can't tell weed seedlings from flower seedlings and as my garden is surrounded by fields it gets very weedy,very quickly
However,as I'm quite organised this year I'll give annuals a shot - I do love colourful flowers

[Jasmine]

I ordered some geranium splish splash off ebay which I am going to sow tomorrow.

[Ladygardener]

It may take quite a while for them to germinate Jasmine so be prepared. Tig sowed some and it took a few months for them. Should be worth it 'tho they look lovely.
Auricula I'm like you in that respect, it's difficult to know what's a weed and what's not at the early stage.

[Jasmine]

Thanks for that info LG - wonder if they take as long as verbena bonariensis - I'm still waiting on that!

[Barbara]

I planted some margurites last week, and they popped there little heads up yesterday.

[beanie]

my Osteospermum have their first buds developing. I think I'm supposed to pinch them out, but I can't bring myself to do it because I want to see what colours they are.
Aubretias have germinated and I'm waiting for another seed order to arrive. these are perenials for next years border
Arabis pixie cream
Caeselpinia pulcherrima
Scizopetalon walkeri
Circium japonicum
lathyrus white pearl
I know the Caeselpinia germinate easily cause I've had it before but lost them over winter, but I'm not sure about the others

[Auricula]

I am about to sow some penstemon seeds - I've never grown them from seed so I am very excited

[Ladygardener]

I sowed my Penstemon blue spring last night (Thank you Jamine). I have put some cling film over them and have them in the front bedroom. Fingers crossed.

[Auricula]

I'm off to do mine now ( thanks,too, Jas )

[Tig]

I've done mine, hope they do well for everyone, we can compare notes

[purplejulia]

I have been having another go at seed sowing, having failed miserably in January.

This last two weeks I have sowed:

Pennisetum again i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/undecided.gif
Callistephus chinensis
Viola wittrockiana 'brush strokes' - gorgeous looking picture from Laura Ashley seeds.
Morning Glory - tricolour
Pansy black beauty
Aubretia,
Nicotiana Sylvestris
Nicotiana Sanderae
Alyssum
Verbena Bonariensis
Heuchera sanguinea Firefly

I bought some seeds on ebay a while ago and just planted some today of the following

Hesperis Matronalis "Dames Rocket" -

If anybody would like some "Dames Rocket" (mixed colours) seeds I have a few to spare. They are biennial flowers which can be a deep to pale purple to white flowers. They were a favourite flower of Marie Antoinette. The genus name Hesperis is Greek for evening, a reference to this plant's aroma becoming stronger towards evening. PM with your name and address if you want any of these seeds.

PJ