Parsnip Seeds

alleycat`

I know that parsnip seeds don't really store very well (for me anyway).

Does anyone know why this is the case and also how older varieties have maintained with this poor (older seed) germination rate over time?

Finally after all that does anyone have a type that is reasonably easy to grow (i have problems with them almost every year).

mrbadexample

I grew White Gem in tubs last year - no problems. This year I've got some Tender & True as well.

splodger_seedswapper

in my experience i have found that parsnips do best when the seed is exposed to a good period of a cold enviroment - many people (me included) try to sow parsnips as early as possible (for me late feb / early march is the best sowing time, if the weather allows)

this year i was a bit late with me sowing, because of the weather - and a very warm april sort of mucked things up (as far as the parsnips were concerned)

if the weather is "too warm" for sowing parnips - just put the seeds in the fridge for a little while - it really works

as for variety - i tend to grow tender and true & white gem

as for seed not lasting - i have successfully used seed that is 3 years old

people do sometimes struggle with growing parsnips and i think blaming the seed quality / viability is used too often as an excuse for their own failings

[Deleted User]

I put gladiator in and they germinated fine, I also put a row of albion in and they were slow but are now up. Next year I will grow tender and true

alleycat`

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

in my experience i have found that parsnips do best when the seed is exposed to a good period of a cold enviroment - many people (me included) try to sow parsnips as early as possible (for me late feb / early march is the best sowing time, if the weather allows)

as for variety - i tend to grow tender and true & white gem

as for seed not lasting - i have successfully used seed that is 3 years old

people do sometimes struggle with growing parsnips and i think blaming the seed quality / viability is used too often as an excuse for their own failings

I suspect i don't have the right sort of "thumb" for parsnips as they are my bete noir of things to grow.

I usually do ok in tubs with new seed but rarely do i manage after the 1st year (and even the 1st year i suffer a lot of failure).

I shall give the varieties recommend by yourself and mrb a go next year.
Ill also try keeping them cool.

Advice is much appreciated.

newsgroup_monkey

I decided to have a go again after Parsnip failure. I basically put mine under a small polytunnel until leaves were about 3 inches tall.
They're looking great now!

Lotus-eater

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

in my experience i have found that parsnips do best when the seed is exposed to a good period of a cold enviroment - many people (me included) try to sow parsnips as early as possible (for me late feb / early march is the best sowing time, if the weather allows)

There you go I think exactly the opposite. :rotfl:

I think that peoples poor germination is down to sowing too early in unsuitable conditions, too cold and damp. Also sowing when conditions are like this, they take longer to germinate, which gives longer for things to eat the seed, or for it to rot.
I don't sow until certainly March, more often April and not until the soil has sufficiently warmed up. So it depends on the year, when I sow.

This year it certainly warmed up early, so mine went out March time, which was lucky, as they got some early rain also, a couple of weeks later and I would have been in trouble.

I don't really think that 1 year old seed is that affected by loss of germination, although there is a drop, but after that, rates of non germination do tend to drop off, the curve steepening in a non linear way. So 2 year old seed is quite bad indeed and 3 year old is terrible.
But of course it does depend how the seed is stored also and I secretly think on the variety as well, some do worse than others, although I've no evidence for this, just surmising.

mrbadexample

My White Gem seed, purchased last year, have a sow-by date of 2013. They were fine this year.

What's that all about then? :huh:

I sowed some old Lancer seed this year, not a peep.

Scotsbride

I use true and tender but white gem are also good also parnips can tolerate slightly richer soil than carrots and other roots

Lotus-eater

mrbadexample wrote: »

My White Gem seed, purchased last year, have a sow-by date of 2013. They were fine this year.

What's that all about then? :huh:

I sowed some old Lancer seed this year, not a peep.

I'm guessing that's because they were in a sealed packet and maybe it says on there, use within a year of opening, or something?
Not sure tbh, I've not looked at parsnip seed packets that much.

Scotsbride

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I'm guessing that's because they were in a sealed packet and maybe it says on there, use within a year of opening, or something?
Not sure tbh, I've not looked at parsnip seed packets that much.

expect to get a lower gemination rate with older seed typical after one year drops by 50% or more