Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi

I planted about 20 sweetcorn seeds in cell trays in the green house approx 3 weeks ago and only 3 have germinated!

I followed the directions on the pack! Has anyone got any ideas what could have gone wrong, or am I just being impatient and should wait a bit longer??

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Kermit aka Jade

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

Hmmm sounds like you've got some dud seeds.

I planted about 30 seeds on Monday and already most of them have germinated - they're in an unheated proporgater on a sunny windowsill.

I planted 8 on sunday and one is showing its head already

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Kim



http://kimbos-veggies.blogspot.com

I have also experienced poor germination when I have done everything right as far as I know? I am going to try again with some more but try to sprout themon kitchen paper first.

Can only say you may have dud seed or you are planting too deep. I have 14 out of 16 blue sweetcorn, 12 out of 16 swift f1. Planted bloody baron and minipop on Wednesday but none up just yet

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

I used to do mine like that with not brilliant results, then last year someone told me to put the seeds on damp kitchen towel somewhere warm; propagator, airing cupboard or warm windowsill. It's great, you get a much higher rate of germination and once they're sporting roots and shoots you just pot up. I tend to do this in batches and put the rest back for next time. I'm looking forward to a bunper crop this year. Actually I'm running out of room where to put them all till planting out time!

Mine germinated within a week in an unheated greenhouse. I would plant some more.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

I have found that they can be very sensetive to drying out so do keep them moist. Other than that, it should be pretty sure thing.
Darren

I worry about damaging the shoots by potting up after they,ve germinated so I'm going to try laying the seeds on top of damp compost in pots then when they germinate just add compost without disturbing the seed.

I've had 15/16 germinate (going to sow more soon) and it took about a week. I grew corn last year too without bother. I sow mine about 1" deep in toilet roll inner tubes - not particularly for the root system (though it surely can't hurt) but because it's environmentally friendly and I'd saved them up for months and had plenty! Mine have also been kept moist.

Almost all mine came through within a week, but as I do with most large seeds, I soaked them overnight first. In your position I'd try again with fresh seed.

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If a man is in the garden and speaks, and there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong?

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated January 3rd - Birdwatching.

Last year's were almost 100% germination, but this year's are not so good. Minipop about 50% germination, and Swift was pathetic. I've been out today and bought more seed - will let you know how they get on.

Hi

I planted my sweetcorn and they did nothing, so I looked at the seeds still in the packet and most of them were hollow.

Tigerella

Well they sort of are, aren't they? They always remind me of pulled teeth (yuk!). When you soak them they kind of puff up and fill out a bit. I don't think the hollow look implies the seed is duff.

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If a man is in the garden and speaks, and there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong?

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated January 3rd - Birdwatching.

I sow mine in loo rolls,after soaking for 24hrs.100% germination in 4 days.Only problem is this time for some reason some have started to die off!I suspect grandsons poking fingers,as I let him sow them,and everytime he's been round he keeps fiddling with them.I'll have to replace them without him knowing!

Don't nomally grow it as I can't stand the stuff but OH loves it and I fancied trying the Three Sisters thing this year so am giving them a go. Planted them in root trainers in an unheated greenhouse a couple of weeks ago and have had about 80% germination. They're looking pretty healthy so far and shooting up. Think the first one came up within about 5 days.

Didn't do any of that pre-soaking bit as I'm too lazy and nowhere near organised enough.

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Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

Thanks for all the advice guys - will put some more in asap and let you know how i get on!

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Kermit aka Jade

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad

I found the same prob with loo rolls I think they go mouldy and were not draining well. I prefer 3" pots but am only getting about 60% germination this year- Consistantly over three packets of seed in four batches. I am double careful about correct moisture in compost. I have moaned to Dobies and I am hoping on another packet from them.

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Advertising is the rattling of a stick in a swill bucket. George Orwell
Paul

I've had all but 2 of my 24 seeds germinate this year. I'm convinced soaking them the night before is a great help.

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If a man is in the garden and speaks, and there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong?

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated January 3rd - Birdwatching.

My sweetcorn seeds looked pretty awful and I didn't expect anything from them but 18 out of 20 seeds germinated in just 4 days so I am very pleased.

i soaked mine over night planted in 3" news paper pots on the 26th of april perfick according to luna and got astounding results 94% success. The same with my butternut keept nicely moist in unheated greenhouse.

I have furry & spotty mould on the outside of the Toilet rolls I have the sweetcorn in. I've got about 20 plants up to 2" tall at the moment.

Is this a potential disaster as I was planning on putting them in the ground in around 3-4 weeks???

Any experience or suggestions welcome.

Welcome to the vine King Carrot

It wasn't so much the mould that bothered me but the leaves turning yellow. they stopped growing...that said it was first batch of the season probably a bit cool and i must have overwatered them, I planted them out but they don't look good. I've tried before and not had great results plus i've got enough 3" pots these days. Hope yours work out.

Dobies just sent me another triple pack free bless 'em. But with sweetcorn, onions and asparagus we never can grow enough...courgettes and lettuce I always overdo... tried lettuce soup one year! horrid.

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Advertising is the rattling of a stick in a swill bucket. George Orwell
Paul

some of our sweetcorn did not apear to have come up but when i tiped them out they had rooted ? so must have planted some depper than others

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Dobby