Seed Starting Results 2023

Delphinium

I started this on Feb 13, first germination on Feb 25. I thought that this would take 14- 21 days, but got one a little early. In the large bin on the office on a heat pad. Nice and warm in the bin. Covered with cardboard. 

As of March 5, still only the one sprout. Maybe this is not even a delphinium. I'll keep trying for another week or so, today will be 21 days, but this seems to have been a bust. Hopefully the winter sown seeds will come up.

As I am reading more, I am finding that the Anise Hyssop may have also needed cold stratification or even better, winter sowing. Sigh, I like buying from a local seed company, but they really should have more information on their seed packets. Anyways, now for a couple weeks wait to see some growth.

Germination!

Well, yesterday I was a little down about the whole seed starting thing, then I came home and the Pearl Yarrow had germinated! There are a few really tiny anise hyssop as well, but I'll leave those under the cover for another day. 

March 9 

And two lavender came up and one more "delphinium", if that's what it really is! Ok, I guess I'll keep plugging along with the Delp's for another week.

March 11

Still no more Delphinium germination. I watched a couple of videos that confirmed they want to germinate in the dark. So I covered with wet newspaper as a last ditch effort.

March 23

The second round of seeds that I started Saturday and Sunday has started well. Even after 3-4 days, every one has germination. I may take the domes off tomorrow. The African Daisy in particular is jumping right up!

April 11

Have had good luck with the Pearl Yarrow and Anise Hyssop. Move to the basement on two shelves with two heating mats. Seems to keep at about 60 degrees, occasionally dipping lower. I will not be able to move things like tomatoes and basil down there, but maybe it will all work out? I may be starting more seeds than I can possibly keep alive til planting out...

Globe Thistle

These are weird little seedlings. The packet said to surface sow. So I did, and they kind of sprout on the surface like a worm? 

I am already thinking I made some mistakes. These seem to be ones that don't like to have their roots disturbed, so I probably should have started them in peat pots. Oh well, next year!

Use biodegradable seed starter cells that can be transplanted in their entirety, to minimize root disruption.

Sow two to three seeds per seed starter cell. Maintain even moisture during germination, but don’t oversaturate.

When the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to one per cell.

After the danger of frost has passed, acclimate the seedlings to the outdoors for a few hours each day.

Leave the seedlings in the starter cells, as long as you used the type that biodegrade.

Space them at a distance of 24 to 30 inches.

Set them into the garden soil and cover them lightly, so the potting medium in the cell is even with the ground level.

April 28

I think the seed starting medium that I used might have been part of the problem. As I am potting up the Veronica it seems pretty packed and is probably why they took so long to grow and grew so slowly. I think the seeds that were in the Black Gold did much better. That mix seems much looser and has Perlite. They carry it at the ACE hardware, so next year it is probably a good idea to order it in large bags early.

I like the Black Gold Potting mix as well, but it does have some large bark chunks. It's not a problem to pick them out though.

I also think next year that it would be worth it to get higher quality seed cells that have the hole in the bottom. I feel like that allows for more water to come up from the bottom and it is MUCH easier to get the seedlings out when potting up.

June 3 

Next year, even though they are boring, start marigold seeds, at least 24. Direct sowing in the cinder blocks did not take this year, and I think that the marigolds are good for the tomatoes.

The Scarlet Bee Balm did not come on well, was slow to grow. I put it in the front wildflower bed, so I'll see how it goes and if it is worth it for the rest of the front slope.

The Dianthus Blue turned out purple/fuschia and not blue. It was worth a chance. The Siberian Iris and also a rich deep purple, maybe that is the way I should go anyway. Except for the hydrangea, there are too few blue flowers.

Globe Thistle actually did okay. When I potted it up, it jumped up and seems to be doing well so far in the ground. 

Russian sage was very slow. I potted it up late, so maybe it will improve with more room. 

Notes for Next Year- June 18, 2023

It is definitely worth it to start marigold and borage seeds. This year I had little luck with direct sowing. The zucchini takes a while to come on, so having lots of borage in that bed defines it in the early summer.  Also, I like the look of the yellow marigold lining the tomato and strawberry beds. 

The African daisy are growing nicely in the ground, but as of June 18, no sign of flower buds. Let's see if they are going to show anything.

The second year of Dianthus Arctic fire came on nicely. The first year, it was just a clump, but it flowered in spring this year and looks good. Same with the Veronica. Year one, just green, this year nice showing.