skip to main content

Question about seeds that don't sprout

16 years ago

Some of my winter sown seeds did not sprout. Due to the success of others, I'm assuming that it's the seeds that maybe aren't supposed to be winter sown. Does this sound crazy. The ones that didn't sprout are Columbine, Cleome, Rudebeckia.

Thank you!

Carla

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

ramazz
16 years ago
Those are all seeds that I have wintersown. Most of my columbines have sprouted. They do need stratification. I am not sure about cleome, but I think it needs stratification, too. I did not have great germination with the cleome seed, but I did get a few plants. With rudbeckias, some of the seed I planted sprouted and some did not. If it was from a hybrid, it may not have been fertile seed, so if you got it from a trade, that might be the problem.

Or, you may still get some germination, so don't give up yet!

Becky
ramazz
vera_eastern_wa
16 years ago
Same here....have wintersown them all.
Cleome germinates for me but haven't yet been able to get it to grow in my garden too well!
I started columbine on 16 Dec. 06 and germination started March 14 on one and Mar. 20 on another...it was sporadic sprouting however until May. Rudbeckia germinated in March both last year and this year.
Give it more time :D

Vera
Related Discussions
WANTED: what to do about seeds that don't germinate
Q
Comments (4)
Well, letting others know might be good. so they won't lose out. Don't trade with her again. Pregermination is always good, to see If any germinate. If you can't pre germinate, then plant out and give them their two weeks germination time. And if they haven't germinated by then, succession plant something else very different that the previous seeds, so if any come up, you'll be able to tell which plant is which. Meanwhile, post a want ad for whichever seeds, you got from her for replacements. Sadly, stuff happens. I did trades where they say they didn't get them, and sent a replacement, or gave free seeds, saying one chance deal, if they don't get them, I can't resend. I did a trade once and was surprised to recieve some seeds marked harvested in 2006! Gee, why weren't they grown, or rehomed in 6 years? Who knows if they will grow. send a preliminary email to a seller asking about the seeds you want, such as how many in a pack, when were they grown/harvested, was it possible for them to have crossed, are they a hybrid variety, were they germination tested, were they from a commercial pack, were they hand saved by the trader, were they grown organically? etc. most growers know all these answers. Also, I bought 5 seeds to a squash, and only one grew. I planted 7 purple beauty pepper seeds, and only 5 sprouted. When I plant a type of seed, and get low on it, I add that seed onto my want list, until I'm able to save seeds to that variety myself. As I'm able to save my own seed to varieties, I take that variety off the want list, and usually put it on the available list. I also ask for seed counts before trading now. Someone asked for something. I had a whole extra pack that I could have sent. When I asked how many seeds she'd send, she said 6. To some, that might be ok, but it's hard for me to front $2.00 for bubble pack postage, to receive, 6 seeds for a 49 cent stamp. To me, sending 6 seeds isn't really worth the postage, when I could buy a whole pack of many seeds something for the same amount. Sometimes, I will trade a pack of 20, for a lesser amount, if I don't have that variety, and the postage cost is the same. If you post what seeds didn't sprout, maybe someone who reads the post, could send you some to you, as a "pay it forward".
...See More
Silly question but I don't know the answer.. About potatoes
Q
Comments (4)
Go to your local feed&seed or coop store and buy some seed potatoes. Cut them into chunks wherever you see an eye sprouting. Buy some powdered sulfur and sprinkle it all over the raw potato, like flouring chicken before frying. Let them sit overnight. This will cauterize the wounds and help keep the potato from rotting once buried. Commercially grown potatoes are treated to keep them from sprouting eyes but you can go to the grocery store, buy a few potatoes, wash them with soap and water and put them in a dark, warm place. They will begin to sprout. Better still, ask the produce manager at your grocery store if he has any sprouted potatoes he has culled. He may not be able to give them to you but he will probably sell them for next to nothing. One plant will grow a bunch of potatoes.
...See More
Question About Sprouting Daylily Seeds
Q
Comments (5)
Based upon your question/comments, you do have interest in these seeds .... Why not experiment with them rather than just tossing them ... put them into the freezer for a day or two then thaw them out and perhaps repeat - extreme representation of 'winter' and of attempting to activate the chemistry within the seeds that controls germination protocols. Some seeds(NOT daylilies) need extreme heat and some actual freezing to facilitate germination. Germination ease or difficulty is a genetic phenomenon it seems. There is little to lose with the experiment IF you wish to save the potential within those seeds.
...See More
Question About Seed Sprouting
Q
Comments (8)
Ed, I think I way underestimated my seed number. I have been having a great time the last week or so getting them going. I write down what I plant, and so far as of this evening, I have 87. I have some soaking in cotton pads, some still in the fridge......so I bet I will have about 350. Luckily I have plenty of room and a greenhouse - plus can put on shelves in my south facing garage if I need to. I am really pleased with the results I am getting. The peroxide/distilled water moistened cotton pads seem to spur growth better than the paper towels - I tried the same cross in one of each - the one in the cotton pad is putting out roots and tiny green leaves while the ones in the paper towel are still just showing the radicle. I label each small plastic bag and put the bags in a clear plastic cup and place in a west facing window that gets bright sunlight. I found ones that had been there 9 days had amazing roots and green leaves. I figured out something else tonight. I have some tiny stick on dots [who knows what I got them for] and when I check a bag and there are roots and green leaves, I put a dot on the bag telling me it is time to pot them up - I put another color dot on the ones that are almost ready to pot up. This saves me from having to open the bags every day. I am seeing changes every day - taking the ones that are soaking and showing a radicle and putting them in the plastic bag with a cotton pad. This may be more work than most people would want to do, but it is fun and I enjoy it. Have planted 11 crosses so far and starting to see green tips. The cross of Pat Soileau x Freedom's Triumph amazed me when I opened it - have included a photo - its not too clear as was taken indoors at night, but you can see the long roots and the little green tips. When I put the cotton pad in the baggie, I fold it over in half so the seeds are covered. Am hoping to get a bunch of seedlings up and growing before we get our first freeze in November. We normally have cold weather thru December but not too many freezes. Is anyone else starting seeds? If so, how are they coming along? Judith
...See More
carla17
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Becky and Vera. I will wait, I wouldn't throw it out. Maybe when it warms up, I'll give them some diluted fish emulsion.
I really want the columbines and Rudbeckias.

Carla
tndandelion
16 years ago
I've had just a little germination with my cleome. This is a problem plant for me. I love it but it hates me. I only have 3 or 4 plants germ'd and I WS'd these in early Feb. I'm waiting to see if the warmer weather will make a difference.
flwrs4ever
16 years ago
I read on another thread that the columbine is one of the last to come up, SOO dont give up !!! Depending on the age of seeds, they might take several months before they do...so keep them going.

I did about 30 containers of them, but am colder then you are, and I wont expect them till the end of the spring..
philmont_709n2
16 years ago
once you have a cleome plant, you will have lots. they reseed like crazy. the past 2 years i havent even sown them because they just prolifically reseed themselves where they are.
sbrandondc
16 years ago
Seeds have all the nutrition they need for germination, within. Fish emulsion can wait.
moonphase
16 years ago
I agree on cleome reseeding.I have never tried wsing cleome and have had it in my gardens every year for years.I have moved twice in 10 years and in each new garden,I just direct sow these and have always had great luck.Maybe they just don't need wsing.
moonphase
carla17
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone

Carla
ellenr22 - NJ - Zone 6b/7a
16 years ago
I have re-used soil in which I had planted seeds that didn't come up, only to have the little guys emerge months later!\

ellen
rosebush
16 years ago
Carla, I've wintersown all of those and they can take awhile, but they are perfect for WS. Don't give up on them. :)
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
16 years ago
I had an experience rather like ellenr reported above.

I needed a flat to start some seed and found one in the shed which had been used last year. I thought all the seed in last years flat were dead, sprouts had been fried by some interruption in our lives.

I re-used the flat and soil to plant seed this year in the flat and many seed from last year came up almost immediately.

Related Stories

Houzz Interview: Miss Mustard Seed’s Charming Pennsylvania Home

DECORATING GUIDES Design Mystery: Why Do Pineapples Sprout Up in Home Design?

By Mary Jo Bowling

Early Americans were bananas about pineapples — and we’re still reaping the benefits of the sweet fruit’s symbolism today

COOL-SEASON CROPS Cool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Brussels Sprouts

By Marianne Lipanovich

If you love 'em (you know who you are), fall and spring are the right times for planting these veggies in your edible garden

0

CONTAINER GARDENS 8 Easy Container Plants to Grow From Seed

Get beautiful blooms and herbs in summer by starting these choice garden picks from seed in spring

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plant a New Lawn From Seed

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed

GARDENING GUIDES Seeds or Seedlings? How to Get Your Garden Started

By Abundant City

Growing delicious herbs and vegetables starts with knowing your goals and when you want to plant

GARDENING GUIDES No-Regret Plants: 5 Questions Smart Shoppers Ask

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Quit wasting money and time at the garden center. This checklist will ensure that the plants you're eyeing will stick around in your yard

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

WORKING WITH PROS What Do Landscape Architects Do?

By Falon Mihalic

There are many misconceptions about what landscape architects do. Learn what they bring to a project

PAINTING What to Know About Milk Paint and Chalk Paint — and How to Use Them

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Learn the pros, cons, cost and more for these two easy-to-use paints that are great for giving furniture a vintage look

Sponsored