All the information comes
from seed breeders and or my own findings when sowing and growing
from seed.
The following Technical and cultural details for growing from seed are written for
gardeners and growers, they are not cut and dried and are for
information purposes only. A guide for you to use and adjust the
data to suit your growing conditions. All information is based on
UK conditions and should be used for guidance only. No guarantee
is given for the resultant crop, or liability accepted for using
the information used on this website in any article or web page.
The list of articles will be updated on a regular basis.
If you would like your website visitors to have access to this information please copy and paste the following link into your site.
Nickys Seeds -
Seed Germination and Growing Guides Then please email me the URL of your website.
It is breach of copyright to reproduce any information from this website in any form.
The cultural information in the online seed catalogue should be used as a guide only.
|
Type Sowing Temp Cover Seed Advice |
Tender annual 20-25°C Yes thin layer vermiculite Do not exclude light Germination 2-3 weeks Sow Jan onwards. Ensure strict hygiene controls keeping clean benches trays etc. |
'Type' is self explanatory it can be Annual, Perennial, Biennial or glasshouse plant which is ideal for greenhouse production, conservatories and indoor pot plant.
'Sowing Temperature' In seed catalogues you will notice they all differ on sowing temperatures. Seeds can germinate over a broad range of temperatures, the seed industry has taken 20°C / 68F as a standard. Nature has not given each seed a set temperature it will germinate at so all temperatures are a guide. The higher the temperature used to germinate seed the faster the seed will germinate, but will require moving out of the higher temperature propagating area to avoid the seeds stretching.
'Cover Seed' this is a rather grey area where some companies state sow on surface others state lightly cover, both cases are correct as the seed needs light to germinate, both instances produce this, as a light covering is used solely to help maintain the moisture and humidity. As a general rule seed that is fine i.e. Lobelia and Begonia is sown on the compost surface and pressed in lightly to bring it into contact with the compost. Larger seed usually covered with compost/vermiculite to the size of the seed.
'Advice' this section covers recommended sowing times, growing on conditions and any other relevant information I can source for that species.