Flowers from seed: Hints, Tricks, Etc.

13 years ago

After many seed swaps, this is what i've decided to grow this year. My final list of flowers for 2010. My first year really growing more than 1 flower. Let me know what y'all think & if you have any hints, tricks, potting medium preferred, fertilizer or other info which would help me get great germination, some nice seedlings, then hopefully some beautiful plants! =) Also, if any prefer containers, that'd be awesome since I'd rather grow them in some.

Short Blue Balloon Flower

Dwarf Cornflower - mixed colors

Blanketflower Arizona

Blackberry Lily

White Datura

Red Texas Star Hibiscus

Black Eyed Susans

Pink Cornflower

- Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: Steve's Garden

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Comments (3)

sarahbarah27
13 years ago
From your list, I have only grown Balloon Flower from seed. I had collected seed from a plant I bought a couple years ago, and they germinate very easily. They need light to germinate, so make sure you just press them lightly in the soil, and be careful not to cover them with soil.

For grow mix, I prefer to use PRO-MIX BX. I buy the big bales from my local garden center for like 30 bucks, and depending on how much you use, it can last a while!

For container, I use the little "six-packs" or cell packs to start my seeds off. Then, if they need to be transplanted I use old 3inch pots or yogurt containers. I have also heard you can use old egg containers to start seeds, which I am going to try later on(since I have a ton and our egg farmer can't reuse them for "health reasons", I guess its a violation of the health code or something) for things like pumpkins, gourds and cucumbers.

For fertilizer, I just use Miracle Gro, 20-20-20 or Bloom Booster depending on time. I usually start a half strength solution once a week after the second set of true leaves appear, then after I plant them out I up the solution to full strength and fertilize every other week.

I have had luck with the Datura and Black-eyed Susan reseeding on their own in my garden, so they may need a cold treatment before germination?

Good Luck and Happy Growing!
Sarah
tn_veggie_gardner
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the info, Sarah! I haven't had many responses. Yours definitely helps, but i'll still probably read up on them today to get my facts straight. =) I'll prob make myself a little cheat sheet of sorts for them since i've never grown any of them before.

- Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: Steve's Garden
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It's a bit difficult to comment on your planting dates, because you don't give us your zone. I know that Australia and New Zealand have growing times that are more or less opposite from ours, but still would be nice to know when you plant your veggies, and soil temps, etc. I planted some celery about 5 years ago - it was described as "improved" Utah (something), and it has been with me ever since, as I let some go to seed. Fresh seed works well, and harvested celery seed is great for an addition to the spice shelf. Granted, my zone is quite warm in winter - but perhaps the seed was nice and fresh as well. In our zone 10 - California, we plant celery in Aug, Sept, Oct and Nov., along with other crops - such as broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, etc., - cool weather crops, and celery is very happy with our mild winters, liking lots of water and can withstand shade when the weather becomes warmer. About your planting method - just a thought - does your container have good drainage? What about light - are you growing inside? Under light? No mold? These are all factors in growing from seed. Most vegetable seeds like warmth to around 70 degrees if possible to germinate. Good air circulation - once seed sprouts, remove the dome - to prevent mold formation from too much humidity. HOpefully, your seed is still viable. To test some - place a few seeds in a damp paper towel, place inside a plastic bag, keep warm - and see if they sprout. If not, then seeds are too old - try another supplier. Sorry - can't help any more than that with the information given. Keep trying! Bejay
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Those aren't "tricks" but different types of stratification. I'm aware that different seeds require different types of stratification: scarification (nicking, scratching the outer covering), soaking or using acid to emulate natural wearing/decomposition or in the case of certain seeds even being exposed to fire/extreme heat. In all these cases the reason is usually fairly obvious; in order to allow moisture, etc. to penetrate the outer coating. My question pertains specifically and exclusively to "Cold stratification". By "tricking seeds" I'm wondering if the seed can be "fooled into thinking" it's been dormant a season or two though, in actuality, they've only been in the freezer/refrigerator for a week or so. If it is merely a matter of expansion, contraction, cold-induced cracking --- a transition from one state to the other and back--- one day'd be as good as 90. I always do (usually fairly extensive) research before posting on any forum. On this subject, I mostly found answers to the "what is?s" and "how?s" but not so much the "why?s". Here I thought I might find others with anecdotal experience from experimentation. Just as one example, right now I have a large patch of Cilantro/Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) that, though I grew it in order to use the (Cilantro) leaves, has already gone to seed. There's still plenty of growing time left this season. It'd be nice if I could harvest this year's seed, do a "Quickie Cold stratification", plant and get a second crop this year. This is an experiment I plan to be trying .
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keriann_lakegeneva
13 years ago
I would have started all of those 6-8 weeks ago.

You may want to try wintersowing or direct sowing.

Successful supplies:

Sterile potting soil and/or seed starting mix.
Well vented growing area
Lights
containers
trays to catch water when bottom watering
plant ID labels/tags
fertilizer
and enough room to keep your plants happy without crowding them.

Keriann~

Many, many, many hints and advice in all of your plants here in this forum. Search each one to find more specific answers.

Flowers from seed: Hints, Tricks, Etc.

Comments (3)

sarahbarah27

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Flowers from seed: Hints, Tricks, Etc.

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sarahbarah27

tn_veggie_gardnerOriginal Author

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