Depressed! Things aren't germinating!

[taff]

I got the chitting idea from TS. When I say warm, I mean hot... which I got that idea from Zaz - before she has told me that before sowing seeds she'll pour hot water from a kettle in the compost, it seems to really kick start them. I get very good germination rates doing it this way. Usually germination by the 2nd day.

That's good to know. I've actually started doing that, the chtting anyway. I never bothered before, but I've had 100% germination doing it that way this year with some tomatoes, and some sweet peas.
The boiling water thing will come in handy also
And yes VC, lovely roottrainers

[eirish]

Bleurgh, if I were a seed, *I* wouldn't come out in this! Still no sign of the carrots, spring onions, or lettuce in the garden. But I'm chuffed today 'cause four of my chilli seeds are up, and two runner beans, and the first sweet pea.

Anyway, I'm here to dig in the dirt, try out new things, and watch things grow. If I get a harvest, well, that's just gravy.

[chris]

The water wasn't boiling that I used for soaking the beans overnight - it was hot to the touch.

The boiling water mentioned, was what zaz told me (I think it may have even been a post on here thinking about it) she did to warm the compost up before sowing seeds (perhaps for early sowing in jan/feb?)

Just to clarify

[Potstubsdustbins]

To all newbies, If you have stuff growing this year then give yourself a pat on the back because you deserve it thats for sure.

I have struggled with toms, peppers etc to the extent that if I had been new to this wonderful hobby I may well have thrown the trowel in.

I've got there in the end but it was a real struggle.

Colin

[Two_Sheds]

I may well have thrown the trowel in.

I like what you did there

[binley100]

Funny old year this. No probs with toms, chillies and peppers . But had quite a few squashes etc waving their roots at me , onions kept trying to get up and walk and my sweetcorn is being a bit on the shy side . Seeds at the lottie ie parsnips etc are slowly starting to emerge . This year I'm growing my own patience ..........

[Pa Snips]

To all newbies, If you have stuff growing this year then give yourself a pat on the back because you deserve it thats for sure.

I have struggled with toms, peppers etc to the extent that if I had been new to this wonderful hobby I may well have thrown the trowel in.

I've got there in the end but it was a real struggle.

Colin

That's very nice of you to say but I don't feel that I can take any credit for the wonder of nature. All I did was put seeds in compost and splash on some water, nature did all the hard work.

Talking of tomatoes...today I have the beginnings of flower buds....woohoo!

[kathyd]

Yep, radicle (baby root) first then shoot. wouldn't worry about which way up, the seed would work it out, afterall they work it out when sown without chitting

I've had bad germination on some things this year but think I started them too soon and it has just been too cold. the warm weather earlier in the year got me wanting to plant stuff!

That's what I thought too - until I found a couple of my borlotti beans waving their roots in the air when I was checking the pots where nothing was showing yet! Daft things.

[gardenpassion]

I chitted my mini-pop that I acquired from the seed-swap, they have all germinated , so it really does work. All seeds this year seem to be really disorganised, beans germinating over two weeks, courgettes doing nothing and then appearing weeks later when I had given up on them....... patience and sun dance necessary................... a little sunshine would be welcome!

[SarzWix]

Loads of my beans have done that this year - roots in the air and shoots going downwards Lazy housewife has been the worst, every single one has been upside down. But the Tiger, Tarbais and a couple of other heritage varieties have had a few confused ones as well. It's most odd.

[arpoet]

I know that every year seems pose us different growing problems, but this years sowing and planting is one of the most challenging for years.
Runner beans have had about 30% sucess, and the french beans about 70% normally it the other way round. I have put out a row of 20 bean plants with a bean seeds burried with each plant. I have started off another 40 in the g/h.
My main problem seems to beed the loss of most of the cabbage planted at easter. Mind you, red cabbages seem to have done well in all the rain and cold.
Roger

[Andromeda]

I chitted my mini-pop that I acquired from the seed-swap, they have all germinated , so it really does work. All seeds this year seem to be really disorganised, beans germinating over two weeks, courgettes doing nothing and then appearing weeks later when I had given up on them....... patience and sun dance necessary................... a little sunshine would be welcome!

A little sunshine would do all of good I think - at least there's a respite forecast for early next week (for most parts at least).

[Jamesy_uk]

Yeh don't stress things, I am baffled for example my sungold tomatoes all got sun burn on their leaves after one mildly sunny day on a south facing windowsill it's like they arent even remotely prepared for it.

[sarah_rance]

My first year too and I'm having fun. Like someone else said - if this year is slow - God help me in a warmer year - I'll never keep up!
I am gobsmacked at the rate the spuds are growing. Salad is nearly there and its been in 2 months now.
I'm loving the pre-chitted idea. Will try that next year - but to be honest, like Sweetcorn, it was only beans I had trouble with, everything else came up quite happily on my windowsill.
Thanks for the pics and tips for us newbies.

[gardenpassion]

Loads of my beans have done that this year - roots in the air and shoots going downwards Lazy housewife has been the worst, every single one has been upside down. But the Tiger, Tarbais and a couple of other heritage varieties have had a few confused ones as well. It's most odd.

Its all upside down... maybe they are aiming for Australia for a bit of warmth