Advice on growing from seeds please?

Kazonline

Thanks to the link in another thread I'd like to have a go at growing some things from seed this year. I don't have much in the way of 'propogating' tools - a plastic covered shelved unit and a sunny windowsil - plus the dining table gets a bit of sun.
Here's a list of what I'd like to order and try, could you please advise as to whether they are ok for an amateur to try with these resources?

Basil Sweet Genovese (Ocimum Basilicum)
Coriander 'Long Standing'
Aubergine 'Moneymaker' F1
Hybrid Lettuce 'Little Gem - Pearl'
Pepper (Sweet) Canape F1
Winter Squash Butternut 'Ponca'
Tomato 'Gartenperle' (Bush Determinate)
Tomato 'Totem' (Bush, Determinate)
Petunia pendula 'Balcony'
Sweet Pea 'Bright and Breezy'
Dianthus barbatus 'Indian Carpet Mixed' (HB)
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Salmon Queen'
Papaver orientale 'Brilliant'


Last year I successfully grew lettuce from seed using the windowsil (Ok, succesfull until they bolted in the plastic greenhouse thing) . My coriander however never emerged (I think I may have 'drowned' the seeds - or perhaps it wasn't warm enough?
My children (Even the 16 year old) all enjoy seeing the seedlings emerge, and I find it really rewarding - however I don't want to set myself up for a fall by chosing seeds that should be propogated at certain temperatures/humidity etc that aren't achievable with a windowsil and a bit of plastic
I hope someone can help, please
Kaz x

Jayar

I think the best advice I can give you is to read the seed packet very carefully as they usually have excellent instructions on them. Also, limit yourself to just a few things to begin with, then that way you will be able to devote more time to them and not get disillusioned.(sp?)
You may want to google the plants you decide on as there is some great advice on the internet.

jennifernil

Some of what you mention needs quite a lot of heat to germinate, ideally heat from below, so a small heated propagator would be good.
What are you going to do with the seedlings once they emerge? On a windowsill they will soon get leggy.
Follow the advice on the packet re temperature carefully. While some things need heat, others will not germinate if it is too hot.
Instead of covering the seeds with compost you will get better results using silver sand. And if it says not to cover then cover with vermiculite, it helps to keep the seed moist.
We grow and sell plants for charity so I could write a book about growing from seed, we have been doing it for 15 years and in that time must have produced at least 180,000 plants! This year is our last as OH is retiring and we are off to "see the world" !!

tight_jock

AS well as checking out the packet instructions, it may be worth getting yourself a book or two ( yes I know it`s an old fashioned concept in the age of google!!) I picked up all my info from books bought at boot sales and charity shops for pennies. A very worthwhile investment if you want to grow your own.
Last year I grew enough on my allotment to keep us going almost through the year - and all my knowledge was gleaned from my few books.

Good luck.
TJ

Kazonline

I doubt there will be any info on the packs as this is how this company keeps down its costs (simple packaging), plus I had hoped to gleen info not always found on packets - ie personal experiences of growing on windowsils/in plastic greenhouses etc. The instructions on it's website says to wrap the seed tray in plastic - I assume that's to increase humidity & temp.
I suppose it's a bit like when people ask for help on cooking things on Old style - there are countless good books and even instructions on packaging. What we seem to lack in this day and age is the golden tips and advice of experience. No one else I know is interested in gardening - I get strange looks if I so much as mention growing anything!
Jennifernil - I had thought that after a while on the windowsill I would move the plants into the plastic greenhouse, eventually moving into pots in the garden (except the flowers which will be gowing into a border/baskets)
Which of the seeds would require the heat? As I don't have a propogator perhaps it would be best if I gave those a miss this year??
I bet there will be a lot of people who will miss buying your plants this year as you've been doing it for so long - but I think your break is well earned, so I hope you enjoy it (and that your DH doesn't get too tempted to collect cuttings on your travels!!!)
Kaz x

tight_jock

When you cover a pot/tray it is to attempt to keep as constant a temperature and moisture content as possible. 99% of seeds will germinate with a gentle, constant temperature and a good light source. I have never used a heated propogator and have done little else but sow thinly and cover with poly or a piece of glass until seeds show through. As I said - about 99% success.
I suggest you invest in a max/min thermometer for the greenhouse to give you an idea of when it`s temp is constant enough for your little seedlings.:j

TJ

angie_loves_veg

I can try and advise on some....

Basil Sweet Genovese (Ocimum Basilicum)
lovely herb. pots on windowsill should do fine (likes sun). sow a small pot (say 10 seeds in a 3"pot) every couple of weeks, and aim to produce the equivalent of what you would buy in the supermarket. good for beginners.

Coriander 'Long Standing'
theoretially as above. i find slightly trickier.

Aubergine 'Moneymaker' F1
one that needs heat to germinate. either a propogator or you could try putting a plastic bag over a pot and sealing with an elastic band. try and read up or get more info on this

Hybrid Lettuce 'Little Gem - Pearl'
sow direct where you want them to grow from feb/march. relatively straightforward

Pepper (Sweet) Canape F1
i have not yet had sucess from seed - I have tried, but end up buying an established plant. i think they need similar conditions to aubergines.

Winter Squash Butternut 'Ponca'
most sqush are easy imo. sow the seed on its side, one to a 3" pot to start them off. when they have good roots, plant them in their final positions with loads of extra compost/manure etc. they are 'hungry' feeders, so water well and give them space - maybe one plant to a metre or *large* pot.

Tomato 'Gartenperle' (Bush Determinate)
Tomato 'Totem' (Bush, Determinate)
bush tomatoes do not need piching out etc, they can grow well in hanging baskets/pots if you keep them well fed and watered. they need warm conditions to germinate-see aubergine

Petunia pendula 'Balcony'
Sweet Pea 'Bright and Breezy'
Dianthus barbatus 'Indian Carpet Mixed' (HB)
Scabiosa atropurpurea 'Salmon Queen'
not good on flowers - i shall hand over to others

Papaver orientale 'Brilliant'
poppies are great, self seed like mad, so either decide to live with'em, or thoroughly remove seed heads. my experience of poppies is to sow direct where you want them, then forget until they appear.


...erm.... that was off 'the top of my head' so I will happily take any/all corrections, but it should give you an idea whether yoiu want to include them in your order...

good luck

:dance:

jennifernil

The petunias need about 20 degrees C to germinate, so do the peppers.
Lettuce does not like it over 13 degrees. Sweet peas do not need much heat, but germination is often a bit hit and miss. Scabiosa can be tricky too. Dianthus is easy. The poppies are a perennial so will come up every year, but they may not flower until quite late in their first year.
Basil I would keep nice and warm all the time, up here (Scotland) we cannot put them outside. Do not overwater.
Coriander is quick to run to seed, but fairly easy to grow.
If you get hold of a Thomson and Morgan seed catalogue it gives you a lot of info on temperatures, germination times and how difficult things are to grow.
You may need to keep the peppers and aubergines in your greenhouse as they like it warm. Unless you have a very sheltered and sunny garden I would not put them outside.
Are the seeds from Lidl? They are good value, I have tried some. I think they do give temperatures on the packets, but not a lot of other guidance.

angie_loves_veg

https://www.alanromans.com

a very cheap seed supplier, usually 50p per pkt, v reasonable p&p

lightisfading

I started off just like this last year (windowsill then pots outside). The only ones from your list i've had experience with are tomatoes (easy peasy), aubergines and peppers (reaaaallly not easy. i would't bother again with them. I think they need south coast or a greenhouse!). How about trying courgettes? They're easy and grow like wildfire

Kazonline

Thank you ever so much for your replies - especially angieLV for so much advice and also Jennifernil. I think I might give the more difficult ones a miss for this year (aubergine etc) as growing so much in containers is likely to keep me busy with the watering alone. I will look out for a cheapish pepper plant though - last year they were priced at about £3 for a small plant (3" pot) Hardly seemed economical!
Thanks for the reminder of courgettes lightisfading - I think it must've been a freudian slip on my part. I once grew those a few years ago when I had a small plot that I attempted to convert into a vege garden. They're like Triffids! In the end I was pleading with neighbours to take the fruit, lol - and we were eating them stuffed, baked, barbecued & grated. Even had to persuade the children to keep eating them by stories such as ' the fairies brought these ones for you!!!!' It seems crazy that they charge so much for them instore, even in season!
I'd best crack on - I'm supposed to be doing my homework, but this forum is a bad habit of mine
Thanks again for all your advice and help.
Kaz x