What Flower seeds are you sowing now

[Cheerypeabrain]

Well I'm impressed! I don't plan on sowing owt yet....I'm going on holiday at Easter so I thought I'd do most of the sowing just before I go. I might start off the begonias in the next few days tho as they always seem to take a while to get going.

[Barbara]

6 of my Pelergoniums have curled up and died the other 15 are hanging in there

[Ladygardener]

What a shame Barbara, I've lost some of my Tomatoes too.

[Barbara]

I don't know what happens to them LG, thats what drives me mad, it starts with 1 new leaf turning brown and curling up, then the others follow.


what happens to your toms??? is it something similar./

[Ladygardener]

No I think with me it's that I can't take enough care when I'm transplanting them. I must damage the roots or something and they just shrivell up.

[Barbara]

Do you smoke LG, ?? my mother used to say if she touched seedlings after a cig. they died, but if she scrubbed her hands or wore gloves they were OK. I dont know if thats why .

[Ladygardener]

Barbara yes I do smoke but not while I'm doing my transplanting or even gardening.

[Dutchy]

Ciggies killing seedlings?
Maybe restrain from smoking one hour before repotting and wash your hands just before
Never heard of it but I don't smoke.

[Ladygardener]

They do get blamed for just about everything these days Dutchy, it's only a matter of time. I will however bear your comments in mind Barbara and Dutchy next time I'm transplanting.

[Missredhead]

Some of my seeds have germinated...will have to look at the labels tomorrow to see which ones ;D

Looks like my indoor GH is working.

[Tig]

Most likely cause of seedling damage is touching the stem during transplanting in my experience (although I am still a bit of a bungler when it comes to thinning out ) I have found that using a cocktail stick to lift the babes gently with their roots intact - trying not to touch any leaves other than the first pair, and making sure the hole is large enough in the new home to just drop them in and then firm compost gently around them works best for me. If I can, I sow individual seeds into modules, that way I can push them out without touching anything!

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

I'm sowing a lot more of my seeds this year into individual modules. My hands really are a bit clumsy. I have some cocktail sticks with a flat edge which would be perfect for the job, thanks for the hint Tig.

[Missredhead]

Planted on 17th Feb...

Cosmos

planted on 18th Dahlia mignon mixed

Marigold french petite

[Barbara]

This is whats left of my Pelergonium seedlings dying by the day can you see the one at the top turning tail on me.

[Tig]

Missy you are doing well! Barbara I have one pelargonium seedling germinated, so no probs for me trying to transplant it!

I've sown some cleome spinosa today, pink queen & violet queen. It is a first time trying these for me, so fingers crossed.

I blasted the compost with boiling water before I sowed into it (thought the pot was going to buckle with the heat - had to dunk it in warm water quickly )

x Tig

[Ladygardener]

Did you do that to sterilise or warm up the soil Tig?
Nice little load of seedlings there MRH. Barbara I wonder why that's happening, have you watered with Cheshunt compound?

[isabella]

Feb 24, 2010 13:21:33 GMT Barbara said:

This is whats left of my Pelergonium seedlings dying by the day can you see the one at the top turning tail on me.

Hello Barbara I hope you don't mind me saying this but I think you are pricking out your Geraniums a little bit too early . I usually wait until I have 2 good true leaves as well as the seed leaves.I am sure you will find the little seedlings will have a much stronger root system and will cope better when transplanted. Please don't think I am a 'know-all' but it's what has worked for me after a few trial and errors

[Barbara]

Thanks Isabella, a bit late now then, I dont mind advice at all , thats how we learn stuff.

[isabella]

I really worry about all the little seedlings
The middle of March is a good time to sow Marigolds and Cosmos - it would take a lot of stress about looking after them away
I have to be really strict with myself - the urge to get sowing is very strong at this time of year

[JennyWrenn]

Cosmos is really one of the prettiest of flowers Isabella. Good luck with them - I gave up some years ago as the slugs love them to bits - maybe could pop them in a tall shiny container

Although Love in a Mist (Nigella) grows like mad in my garden - not sure why - self seeds every year - they are a little like Cosmos but of course not as nice IMO ;D

Post some pix when they flower please do you like the chocolate ones - am not sure I do

[isabella]

Jenny - I grow Cosmos every year for my front garden bedding display I love them

What works for me is to sow seeds in a small tray around the middle of March and when the seedlings are about 3" tall I pot 3 seedlings to a 4" pot to grow them on

If you want to grow some in pots I would go for Cosmos 'Sonata' as they don't grow as tall as some of the others

[Dutchy]

They might still perk up Barbara, don't give up as yet.
Missy I even spotted a little lavender in your trays.
Gosh guys you are all well on your way to Spring ;D Love it.
And yes my fingers are itching....

[isabella]

Barbara - I have been thinking about your pelargonium seedlings and what I would do
I think I would very gently move them into smaller pots - do you have any cell trays? then keep them on the dryish side and put them somewhere as light as possible.

[Barbara]

Thanks Issy, they are on a south facing windowsill, I move them in to the room at night time closer to the radiator, I don't think I'll move them to smaller pots, that might finish them off completely, there are 3 strugglers and 11 that might make it as they look OK. so fingers crossed.

[mowgley]

Just sown 10 canna lillies
1st time growing them so hope i'll be lucky ;D

[Barbara]

Good luck , with them Mowgley, Can we have a picture when they are ready

[Missredhead]

Feb 25, 2010 10:35:17 GMT Dutchy said:

They might still perk up Barbara, don't give up as yet.
Missy I even spotted a little lavender in your trays.
Gosh guys you are all well on your way to Spring ;D Love it.
And yes my fingers are itching....

Eagle eyed Dutchy i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/cheesy.gif
I found a packet of Lavender seeds in my box so thought that I would give them a try...have no idea if they will germinate as it's supposed to be a long winded thing but hey ho we shall see.

[mowgley]

sure if the all germinate there maybe some freebie's knocking around

[Tig]

;D

[Rosefriend]

I seem to be having better luck with my pelargonium's this year - certainly better than last year and they are growing a little quicker, I think.

Sorry that yours are not doing so well, Barbara.



RF