Last weekend (Feb 13), I decided to start some of my herbs for this year. I was going to buy transplants later on this spring, but of course that idea was shot down once I saw these seed packets. I multi-seeded 4 peat pellets each of rosemary, common thyme, sage and oregano, 5 pellets of chamomile and 10 pellets of lavender. Now I'm wondering if this is enough. Maybe I'll do a second sowing in a week or two. (I'm finding it really hard to exercise some restraint these days.)
Already the chamomile has started to sprout. I thought for sure that this would be my "problem" seed of the bunch. I guess I was wrong.
Finally, I thought I'd give a quick update on my artichoke seed-starting ordeal. Back on February 2nd, I sowed 10 soil blocks of Imperial Artichokes. Only 2 have sprouted thus far with one looking particularly stunted. I decided to dig into the rest of the blocks today and sure enough, the rest of the seeds had rotted away. My guess is that this has something to do with the soil blocks - maybe they dislike the super-moist conditions or the fertility of the mix is a bit off. Who knows.
This past weekend, I went all out and started the rest of my seeds using several different methods. First, I followed Dan's advice and soaked them overnight. Then I planted 14 of them into peat pellets. I followed Melody's advice and placed 6 pellets into the fridge for a couple of weeks of cold treatment. The rest went straight onto my seed-starting shelves.
I also thought I'd do some germination testing of my own by covering 5 seeds with a damp paper towel and sealing them inside a plastic bag. To be honest, I had completely forgotten about them until today. To my surprise, 4 out of the 5 seeds had begun to sprout. I decided to press them gently into peat pellets and placed them under my grow lights. Hopefully, they will take hold and continue to grow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Some seeds can really test ones patients. The pre-sprouting looks like it worked really well. Some people pre-sprout everything in paper towel. I usually only pre-sprout things that can be problematic as it takes more work. Hope all the rest germinate well too.
ReplyDeleteNothing like seeing those sprouts take off huh? :)
ReplyDeleteOn my re-sowing of 4 more artichoke seeds last week, 3 germinated, but almost appeared to be upside down like a bulb when I checked on them the other day... I righted them, but they keep popping out of the soil, ugh, I feel your pain... when we finally get that coveted plant a few inches high we are going to be pretty protective of it after all this emotional turmoil LOL
ReplyDeleteYou are back in business with the artichokes! Every year, I get something that is uncooperative on emergence and it usually is not the same thing from year to year. It pays to give it another try because whatever went wrong the first time is subsequently not repeated.
ReplyDeleteYou could also presprout in organic cotton cloth as opposed to paper towel.
ReplyDeleteLooks like things are going well. I still have to measure for my first raised bed and figure out what its going to cost me to add good soil and amendments to it :)
How exciting!! I can't wait to start my seedligs this year. I have the lil pod containers as well but have been saving toilet paper rolls as well. Once the lil seedlings all take off and I have what I need I will see if my fellow gardening friends and neighbors woudl like to have some for their gardens. Best wishes for a bountiful harvest.
ReplyDeleteKat
It's such a pleasure to see things beginning to sprout. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many different methods of seed starting that I sometimes feel lost... I would like to try most of them, but it gets difficult to track and follow results over time...
ReplyDeleteI had spotty germination on my artichokes this year. The Imperial Star came up great,but only 2 of the Purple Italian Globe did. Fortunately that was all I needed, but I have no spares in case something happens. I did no pre-sprouting, just sowed them in a pot and put it on the heating mat.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you will wind up with enough also!
Thomas, I just spent the last two days seed planting..sweet peas, morning glory and english peas..oh, and some forget-me-nots too....
ReplyDeletefog rolled in so I am back inside...amd waiting...
more later, my friend
kary
It's always thrilling to see new sprouts! Good luck with the artichokes.
ReplyDeleteI love sprouting in a baggie. I find it really speeds things along, and it takes some mystery out of it all. Looks like you are on your way to artichokes Thomas.
ReplyDelete(And by the way, it seems as though we share our distaste for IKEA, we both used the dreaded "C" word and compared it to a Vegas casino- one way in, one way out, lol.)
I used to buy my transplants at the nursery, but somehow growing them myself all took over. I do know that if something fails I can always get something there (but not usually the variety I want).
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me to get going and plant my seeds. I too wasn't going to plant any but couldn't resist those seeds either,.
ReplyDelete