Is it me or are you also experiencing slow germination rates?

**AllInContainers** · 31-03-2014, 05:17 PM

Ramsons: Trough on the right and on the left doing great - trough in the middle struggling (only 40% success, and even those have crinkley leaves)
Chillis: One variety popped up quick - no sign of anything from the other
Chinese Artichokes: Nothing, even though they had already chitted when I put them in
Strawberries: Painfully slow, but they're renowned for it
Inca Berries: Again, known to be difficult
Giant Leek: Really struggling - even those that have germinated look incredibly weak

Otherwise, all doing OK so far, but a lot of mine don't go in for a few weeks yet

**lottie dolly** · 31-03-2014, 05:36 PM

Yes ,my seeds are slow,they are in double glazed thing ,with 2 layers of bubble wrap underneith with a plastic ventilated cloch on the top,so given the mild weather,is not that cold, back in feb,i sowed sweet peas,some came through,and are now aprox 5in tall,i noticed yesterday some off the others have just decided to put in an appearance,it's so odd,just glad it's not me,we have to be extra patient,

**crannman** · 31-03-2014, 05:39 PM

yes most of my seed do seem a little slow but this last few days of warm weather are making a difference

**RaptorUK** · 31-03-2014, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by Chomerly View Post

Has anyone else been having trouble?

I sowed 25 seeds of Savoy Cabbage - Traviata F1 and have 25 germinated, my other seeds sown have done OK, 80% + except my Asparagus, not one showing yet after 4 weeks, they might just be slow though.

Of the seeds I expected trouble with, my Chillies have done 60% germination, and my Inca Berries have done about 80% but they have both been in an electric propagator.

Although we had some warm days it's been quite dull at times so the greenhouse hasn't been that warm.

**Chomerly** · 31-03-2014, 06:05 PM

I'm thinking of bringing my chilli collection back in from the greenhouse putting them in my heated propagator to see what they do then.
Either that or i might just some a new batch of each type i've already sown and keep them indoors to see what happens.

I've noticed also that my supermarket purchased coriander plant is riddled with greenfly and that my dalek shaped composter is infested with ants.
Its going to be one of those years i reckon.

**Two_Sheds** · 31-03-2014, 06:13 PM

Mine, in general, are all doing well now that we've warmed up a bit, and now the sun's making frequent appearances (light being more important than heat)
it's regularly getting into double figures now, and the gh is bursting at the seams. I need to buy more shelving

**Alison** · 31-03-2014, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by Chomerly View Post

I've sown some seeds in my little propagators which are stored in my greenhouse.
I've sown different seeds in plug trays and others in plant pots, and some of those that are more susceptible to cold have been placed in my mini greenhouse which is in my glazed greenhouse.
And its much warmer in there than being in the greenhouse alone.

So far, apart from the oriental lilies and Dutch iris bulbs i've planted, nothing else has really shown any signs of life.
Even the Baron Solemacher strawberry seeds i've sown, which does say on the packet that they can be sown in a greenhouse in March, haven't shown anything close to germinating.
I'm just wondering if its a soil issue or if its just a tad too early for them.

Has anyone else been having trouble?

Are you finding things are taking longer than normal? Personally I'm only just starting to get things to germinate in the cold greenhouse now and that's just things like peas and lettuce. Anything tender is germinated inside and is still there, I find it's far too cold outside now and even on warm days it can get quite cold over night. Everything seems about normal to me to be honest.

**veggiechicken** · 31-03-2014, 07:16 PM

I don't even try to start seeds in the GH - indoors where I can keep an eye on them.
Are your propagators heated?

**Potstubsdustbins** · 31-03-2014, 08:31 PM

Reading through last years diary things are a little in front this year.

Remember the gardeners greatest weapon patience.

Potty

**Chomerly** · 31-03-2014, 08:44 PM

None of my propagators are heated, apart from one that i've just put into use.
I have two thermometer/hygrometers.
one in the green house and the other in my mini greenhouse.
As the mini greenhouse is inside my glazed one, the readings are different but the past couple of days have shown a minimum temp 6*C and the mini greenhouse has held between 8*C - 9*C.

I'm none too worried as i didn't start my last batch of seeds off until mid May.
I was just hoping to get ahead a little this year.

**cptncrackoff** · 31-03-2014, 08:45 PM

sorry...no! lol

Things are looking great down here!

I'm nearly a month ahead of last year, ok last year it was snowy but this year is looking all positive so far, germination on the windowsill - great... unheated greenhouse - great, onion sets have shoots on, raspberries are poking through, asparagus is up..its all looking good this year!

**Alison** · 31-03-2014, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by Chomerly View Post

None of my propagators are heated, apart from one that i've just put into use.
I have two thermometer/hygrometers.
one in the green house and the other in my mini greenhouse.
As the mini greenhouse is inside my glazed one, the readings are different but the past couple of days have shown a minimum temp 6*C and the mini greenhouse has held between 8*C - 9*C.

I'm none too worried as i didn't start my last batch of seeds off until mid May.
I was just hoping to get ahead a little this year.

A lot of the things you mentioned need it warmer than that to germinate so I'm not surprised you're not seeing anything. You might be OK growing them on in there but really you could do with a few degrees warmer for chillies etc even then. If you started off mid May last year then you'd have been playing catch up and I agree that you could do with getting a bit ahead this year but they really do need a bit of warmth.

**Scarlet** · 31-03-2014, 09:24 PM

What seeds are you trying to germinate? The weather has been lovely during the day but last week we had a hard frost. Even inside a propagator i wouldn't expect much to germinate.
Most of my seeds get started off in doors at this time of year.

**Bigmallly** · 31-03-2014, 09:38 PM

All in all I'm quite pleased with the sowings, some of the Toms are looking a bit sad but I would expect that as it's still a bit chilly at night. Brassicas are doing great in the GH & walk-in cage. Really pleased with Apache tatties under a 5'x4' cloche. 9 out of 15 have about 4" foliage showing. All the flowers I have sown are also doing really well.

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Is it me or are you also experiencing slow germination rates?

Is it me or are you also experiencing slow germination rates?

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