Low success rate re:seed germination indoors

12 years ago

Hey-I'm new:)

Would love some help! Sorry for long post....

Every year i attempt to germinate a varied range of flower seedlings indoors for garden in summer.I only have 20% success rate :(
This year i'm trying Convulvulus, Mirabilis,large Poppy red,Agrostemma,cornflower,Sunflower Claret F1 Hybrid,morning glory bi pink-purple and Californian poppy red.
I follow the instructions e.g cover with polythene. I use a normal seedling compost. I MAY be going wrong with the temperature, because i just keep them in my room, which is fairly warm for say 6 hours but cold at night.
In the past the seedlings have appeared&then wilt in 7 days!
Not sure what i'm doing wrong? Do i need to keep them at the exact temp consistently as directed on packet? I guess i'll need a heated room/ I could not afford that.
Secondly, some eg cornflower need planting straight into the ground. Is it possible to propagate these in a tray outdoors as most flowers in uk don't appear till mid June, so the garden would be bare till then.I want to use the ground for something else colorful& then transplant the above seedlings in June.
I would love and appreciate any tips.
Cheers
Terry

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Comments (2)

broch
12 years ago
Hi there,

I have a technique that works for me in Scotland. I use old clean plastic milk jugs. Cut a slit about half way down almost all the way round. Fill lower half with compost, water, sow seeds, allow top section to flop back over. You can tape this down but I don't. Unscrew cap and place outside where they will get some water and general sunlight.

Basically then you forget about the. They look a little unsightly but will give you better results. Also sow thinly.

I have use this for several years now and I generally sow according to packet instructions, but allow for my location and add a few weeks.

p.s. you;ll need to drink lots of milk or get friends and family to give you their milk jugs.

Hope this helps
neonwren
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks alot Broch. Interesting and unique. I might have to give this a shot with some of the seeds.cheers bud