RHS Directors Online Forum

Re: Planting seeds

Tee Gee — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:30:44 GMT

To my mind there is no hard and fast rule to this problem.

However their is concensus that very fine seed are generally surface sown.

This is my slant on seed sowing

<url>http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Seed%20sowing/Seed%20Sowing.htm</url>

Re: Planting seeds

PAUL — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:59:16 GMT

There is a great little booklet available which lists virtually any seeds you'll ever have and it lists the kind of compost/medium , optimum temperature, depth of sowing or surface for each kind. It's published for Thompson & Morgan and only cost 99p when I bought it a couple of years ago. It's been very useful to me, particularly for knowing which seeds like sandy compost etc, but it lists pretty much all you need to know. I'd recommend it. 'The Seed Sowing Guide' available direct from T&M but I've also seen it in garden centres.

Re: Planting seeds

helpandadvice — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:48:40 GMT

This seems like a tricky problem, but when in doubt just cover your seeds with enough fine vermiculite to hide the seed, almost all seeds will potentially germinate well. With very small seeds this means very little vermiculite indeed which is as it should be as small seeds very often appreciate light.

See our help and advice profile for more information: http://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profiles0301/sowing_seeds.asp

Did you know that RHS members may send us a list of their seeds (Please don't forget to enclose your membership number or address) and our advice team will indicate which ones need dark and which ones require light to germinate? To do this we use the expertise of our seed distribution service.

As you might expect, we thoroughly approve of this book that tells you all you need to know for a lifetime of plant propagation:

RHS Propagating Plants
Editor-in-chief Alan Toogood

Hardback 320pp.
ISBN:1405300612
Price £25.00

Paperback 320pp.
ISBN-10: 1405315253
ISBN-13: 9781405315258
Price £16.99

I hope this helps

Guy Barter

RHS Help and Advice

Re: Planting seeds

helpandadvice — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:47:56 GMT

See our help and advice profile for more information: http://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profiles0301/sowing_seeds.asp

Did you know that RHS members may send us a list of their seeds and the advice team will indicate which ones need dark and which ones require light to germinate?

As you might expect, we thoroughly approve of this book that tells you all you need to know for a lifetime of plant propagation:

RHS Propagating Plants
Editor-in-chief Alan Toogood

Hardback 320pp.
ISBN:1405300612
Price £25.00

Paperback 320pp.
ISBN-10: 1405315253
ISBN-13: 9781405315258
Price £16.99

I hope this helps

Guy Barter

RHS Help and Advice

Re: Planting seeds

Sarah Buxton — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:41:47 GMT

I really sympathise with you on this! Seed propogation was for me the hardest part of starting up my last garden.Plants and cuttings are so much easier. Thing is we'd need to see the seeds to help you with this,because there isn't a rule of thumb. There are seed growing workshops available at Wisley if you can get there ?

Re: Planting seeds

sue1002 — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:33:26 GMT

If your friends have grown them from seed, you could ask them. If not there is plenty of info available on the web regarding seed sowing or failing that - look at the back of seed packets in the shops and copy the information down for the seeds that you have.

Planting seeds

jackiemur — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:09:12 GMT

Hi, can you help please. How do i know when planting seeds which need covering to obscure the light or which to leave open. These are seeds friends have given me from there gardens.