Trying A Few New Things...Need Advice

16 years ago

My In-Laws know how much I love growing things from seed, so they got me a Burpee gift certificate last year, and I used it recently to purchase my 2008 seed selections.

I have a few questions on a few seeds I've never tried before.

First off is Portulaca (Sundial Hybrid Mix).

Any special seed starting requirements I should know about? I use the "wet coffee filter in a baggie" method for germinating all my seeds. I use the top of my digital cable box for gentle bottom heat which I place the bags with filters/seeds in them on. (I can fit 3-4 on there at a time). Pretty sure the seed packet says to start these indoors 4-6 weeks b4 last frost, so I'm planning for March 17th or so here. Does it require light/dark or either for germination?

Secondly is Lychnis (Abbotswood Rose). When should I start these? Light/Dark/Either for germination? Does it need cold strat (thought I read it might somewhere).

Have a few more but I don't wanna ramble ;) I'll save more for another future post...

Thanks!

Todd In Philly

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Comments (6)

digdirt2
16 years ago
Can't help you with the second one other than to suggest you check the Thompson Morgan growing guide for them to get the details as they provide the best info.

But I find that Portulaca - one of the wife's favs - does best when direct sown after your last frost date. It doesn't like cold nor does it tolerate transplanting well but does great when direct seeded.

If you choose to do some pre-starting with it I'd suggest direct seeding to potting mix containers rather than the baggie method and save some of your seeds for direct planting later too. That way you're guaranteed success. Hope this helps. ;)

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Lychnis guide
rachel_z6
16 years ago
I've never intentionally started portulaca seeds, but they self-sow pretty easily, which makes me think sowing them in-situ would be fine, and that light would be fine. the seeds are tiny, which is another reason I'd surface sow them.
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dorisl
16 years ago
My grandma had portacula on the side of her house and I remember my Dad ##$% and *(#$%) about how he could never get rid of it.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years ago
Portulaca germinates better in light but will still do so with a sprinkling of fine germination medium on top. Those seeds are so small that I've mixed them with grits or corn meal so that I could broadcast them evenly over the top of a seedling flat. When they germinated and grew, they looked just like a portulaca sheet cake! And that's how I cut, them, too. If I were to grow portulaca again, I would do the same thing.
yardloveranne
16 years ago
My grandmother always had Portulaca as well, and I love it, especially mixed with Celosia. The bright colors and different textures just seem to complement each other.

I grew it from seed last year, and this year am going to try the "sheet cake" method. Thanks for the tip!
sewobsessed
16 years ago
parad0x,
portulaca is a good choice for a hearty flower! They pretty much thrive on neglect. lol.
Anyway, I've had really good luck wintersowing both. You might want to give it a try.
:)

Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Sowing

Trying A Few New Things...Need Advice

Comments (6)

digdirt2

rachel_z6

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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

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