Help needed - starting Perinnial Seeds inside

15 years ago

Hello, my nephew is getting married at my home (actually out in the field) June 13. I have acquired several different type of seeds and so that they will 'hopefully' be blooming in time for the wedding, I am planning on starting them indoors.

I have a heated garage, but not sure what temperature it should be at to help seeding process. I am including a list of the seeds that I have. Did not know if someone can give me pointers on what to do and not to do. Will regular potting soil work for these. When will be the best time to start indoors. How many seeds would you put per pot and I realize it will depend on the size of the pot. What type of pots will work best, styrofoam cups, buy some of the potting trays? see I have no clue.

Rockcress Aubrieta

Rock Soapwort Saponaria

Virginia Stock

Shasta Daisy Silver Princess

Portulaca Double Bloom

Delphinium Larkspur

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Comments (7)

gardencrazy
15 years ago
Most perennials from seed do not flower the first year. You probably need to do a little research on each. I know that Delphinium and Shasta Daisy did not for me.
debralj
Original Author
15 years ago
Interesting. I was told that they would. I guess we will see. THANK YOU for your input I really appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.
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What kind of soil do i buy, like a bag of Miracle Grow from Wal-Mart? As others have stated, don't use Miracle Grow or any other mix that has fertilizer in it. Newly sprouted seedlings don't need extra food, and fertilizers will only encourage funguses to grow and they can kill your seedlings. Get something labeled "soilless seed starting mix" or something like that, and don't feed your seedlings until they've been up for some time and/or have started putting on their first true leaves. Also how often do i water the seeds? Keep them moist until they sprout. Then, let just the surface of the soil dry out to avoid funguses, but don't let them completely dry out (as in all the soil dry). Do i keep them inside or outside? You can start a lot of seeds outside. It's called winter sowing and there's an entire forum here on the Gardenweb dedicated to that method. But they'll sprout later than ones you keep inside. I have a sunroom that is not heated, would that be suitable? In cold or warm room? Your sunroom will probably work if it gets bright, all-day light. I don't know the minimum amount of hours of light seedlings need ~ anybody else know? More light the better though. If they get tall and skinny/lanky, you'll know they need more light. And if they're in a cold room, they'll grow slower, so start them eight or more weeks ahead of your last frost date to compensate. Just make sure the room doesn't get below freezing temps, and preferably not below 45 degrees or so ~ they won't necessarily die if they're that cold (-45), but they don't much like it. Also do seeds go bad? i would like to use them for a couple yrs. Tomato seeds can last four or five years without much lowering of viability provided you keep them in a cool, dry place without many fluctuations in temp and humidity. If you put them in a jar and in the fridge or freezer, they'll keep even better and longer. Just be sure to let the jar reach room temp before opening it so any moisture in the room air won't condense on the seeds. Moisture fluctuation one of the main killers of seeds ~ that and temp fluctuations. Good luck! If at first you don't succeed, figure out why and definitely try again.
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Yes I agree with sleepy the window is the coldest place. Never-the- less I did start seeds for many years in my south facing window. Seeds do not have to be in a window until they sprout. Before I had my greenhouse and heating mat, I started mine with a small cake rack over the forced air heating rad. I bought a few clear Croissant boxes from my grocer for 50 cents each. With their clear lids they are perfect for starting seeds. I held them together with a clothes pin because some of the buttons on them stick and are hard to undo. I use plastic mushroom boxes that I put holes in the bottom of to put the soil in and 2 of them fit in the croissant box, which fits nicely over the rad. I still use the clear boxes and mushroom boxes in the greenhouse and on my heating mat.
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Keep in mind that there is NO one-size-fits-all solution to seeding. It's also not voodoo. Seed starting really IS simple. The covering thing is, I think, to keep the seeds moist, and as long as the seeds (and later the roots) can be kept moist, you don't need to cover things. Peat pellets are fast draining and can dry up very quickly in a dry warm atmosphere. They are one of the few media that you can completely soak and get away with it. Just keep the seeds warm and moist and you can put the seedlings outdoors in full sun for the most part. The plastic wrap thing in the sun probably made a good solar oven. If you're germinating successfully in a Dixie cup then do that. Peat pellets do not do well for me with tiny seeds. Keep the dirt moist, not wet or dry, and don't cover. Lotsa light!
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calistoga, Thank you for the information! I'm thinking I will just use the bay windows for grown African violets I have and for rooting African violet leaves(it may take longer but that's fine :)) I definitely think I will try a flat or two of seeds indoors but I think I'm gonna mainly focus on winter-sowing this year with milk jugs and also purchasing a patio greenhouse to start things in winter too. Has anyone had experience with those shelf patio greenhouses? It basically is the same as the milk jug method I assume. its a mini greenhouse which I can afford! lol also trying to find various containers to plant seeds in to save some moola for other new gardening gadgets this year! and digdirt, not really but thanks for the link so I can! I printed lots of info on winter-sowing out yesterday and which seeds to winter-sow during the months so now I have more reading material! love learning! Thank You! ~Michael
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michigoose
15 years ago
I have better luck starting seeds through winter sowing rather than sowing inside. You might want to look at the Garden web's winter sowing threads. It's easy and really good. You use plastic milk jugs. I've not had problems with damping off with them.

You might want to look at the annuals like Shirley poppies, annual larkspur, and some other early summer bloomers which are tallish.

I've never much cared for soapwort...sort of a dissappointing plant for me.
bearcat73
15 years ago
I've only started vegetable seeds inside but I reckon it's probably similar. The temp needs to be between 65-70 to germinate. Soil should be moist when you plant the seeds. You will need a light source after they sprout. I would use a large container and start them asap if you want them flowering this year. I'm not sure they will, but if they said they will then your best shot is planting early. Use empty milk jugs (cut top off) with a few holes drilled in the bottom. These are also great because you can "see" the roots growing. Good luck!
bencjedi
15 years ago
I seeded Shasta Daisies in my home last year (late, not until April if I remember correctly). I started them in 2-cup size plastic containers from the Indian food place in Lexington (Tandoor).. perfect size. I filled half with seed starting mix, dropped in the seeds, watered with sprayer, put on lid and then sat on top of my water heater. They sprouted in a week. I then put them in the basement under lights for a couple weeks before transplanting into 6-packs.
From 020508

Then I grew them under the florescent lights until the end of May when I put them outside (shown here to the right of the Italian Stone pine in the pic)
From 052708

On July 19th
From 071908

And then they flowered in late August\September

So it is possible to get blooms the first year (I did), though it was not that many.
bakemom_gw
15 years ago
If you are relying on flowers for an event and have no idea what you are doing - I would suggest a florist for the flowers.

HOWEVER, join us on the winter sowing forum and we will help you learn to grow from seeds in the winter outdoors. This is a great method for KY and Ohio.
debralj
Original Author
15 years ago
Good morning, I really appreciate everyone's help. The flowers are to be planted in my garden, so my back up plan is to go to a landscaper to get plants, if all else fails. The seeds that I have are some that I have always wanted, so if they do not work this year, there is always next year, when I have more time to get them in the ground.

Help needed - starting Perinnial Seeds inside

Comments (7)

gardencrazy

debralj
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Help needed - starting Perinnial Seeds inside

Comments (7)

gardencrazy

debraljOriginal Author

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michigoose

bearcat73

bencjedi

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debraljOriginal Author

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debralj
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debralj
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