Hints on growing from seed.
These apply to all seeds other than vegetable or other seeds sown
directly outdoors in the soil.
Read the instructions on
the packet! OK I know this sounds obvious, but there are two
common mistakes why seeds don't do well. First of all they are sown
at the wrong temperature and secondly, they are sown at the wrong
time of the year. The packet will tell you about both of these.
Use clean seed trays or pots. Either brand new or that have
been washed and cleaned with bleach and then well rinsed. You don't
have to do this with every pot you grow a plant in, but I always
do it for seeds that may easily succumb to diseases that larger
plants can shrug off.
Use new seed compost. Proper "seed" compost, not the multi-purpose
stuff that you can get everywhere. The difference that it makes
is remarkable, it's not just a marketing idea, it really does make
a big difference, both in the % germination you will get
and also in how well the seedlings develop. I know it costs more,
but probably the same or less than some packets of seed and you
don't need to completely fill the tray as you'll be pricking the
seedlings out before they get very big anyway.
As a rule of thumb sow seeds at the depth of their own diameter.
For large seeds, they can be pushed into the seed compost, for
smaller ones, I sprinkle them over the surface and then sprinkle
over the seeds with fine sieved seed compost (I rub it slowly between
my hands and let it fall).
Don't sow seeds too thickly, it will make pricking them out
more difficult later on and may also encourage fungal diseases to
take hold.
Once sown, water the seeds from below, immerse the pot or tray
in a container full of water. I find the wheelbarrow is ideal for
this if I've got lots to do as it's wide, shallow and holds a lot
of water.
Never place seeds or young seedlings in direct sunlight. They
should be somewhere bright, but not receive direct sun for even
a small part of the day. Once they've grown on a little (a week
or so), they can be placed in the sun as long as they are varieties
that like sun of course.
Cover newly sown seeds with a pane of glass, or even some clear
plastic food wrap. Once the seeds have started to germinate,
remove this completely or it may encourage disease. Some seeds will
germinate better in the dark, others in the light, again read the
packet for instructions.
Once seeds have germinated, they need to "pricked out", that
is taken out of their seed tray and given a bit more space in compost
with more nutrients (enter "general purpose" compost stage left).
Don't be in too much of a hurry to do this, sometimes it is recommended
to move them when they have "two good leaves". It depends on the
plants and also how delicate you can be or have the time to be.
Don't leave them very long however. Prick out 12 to 15 to a seed
tray, this time more deeply filled with compost.
