A massive failure
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Posted: Jun/20/2008 8:16 AM PST
Well... In early May I planted a LOT of seeds... several hundred in fact. I planted hardy hibiscus, butterfly bushes, and passion flower. The hibiscus had a few seeds germinate, but only 5-6 of over 100... I don't know what I did wrong. My father in law passed away and my husband and I were out of town -- he for several weeks and me for 10 days. The few seedlings I did have did not make it through my absense... I didn't think they would, but that's ok given the circumstances. However -- i was really surprised that NONE of the others ever even germinated. I know butterfly bush seeds might take up to 60-90 days though. I don't know what to do with those... I just went ahead and moistened them up and put them back under the sun and am hoping for the best. The rest became compost  What happened?? I can't ever seem to get seeds to germinate properly and the few times they do -- I have never, not one time, been successful in growing a plant 
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Posted: Jun/20/2008 8:18 AM PST
Awwwwww I'm so sorry !!! That really stinks..... all that hard work. I have tried growing some marjoram from seeds and I got the seeds to sprout ok just to have them damp off and rot. Tossed that out last night. I don't have all that great of luck with seeds anymore. I don't know why. Some people really have alot of success and yet, I can't keep MOLD alive !!!! Grrrrr |
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Posted: Jun/20/2008 10:04 AM PST
April, its good to see you are back. I didnt feel I was too successful with my seed starting this year either. I am going to keep trying. |
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Posted: Jun/22/2008 4:41 AM PST
I don't know what is going on either. I have had poor results this season myself. I planted thyme all over the place and only got a few. That's supposed to be easy. I guess the weather is too hot or too dry or too something. |
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Posted: Jun/22/2008 2:55 PM PST
You are not alone. My bed of annuals didn't do so well. Only the Four O'Clocks, climbing beans, and mexican sunflowers have done anything. I think that's because I direct sowed them in the gardens, while others I tried starting indoors. That's OK though because I usually don't have a whole lot of luck with seeds. This year I am going to try winter sowing. |
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Posted: Jun/24/2008 10:44 AM PST
Sorry about your seeds April. I tried planting seeds for the first time right after first frost. And, I direct sowed them. I was disappointed too as most did not come up. A few 4 o'clocks of various colors came up but somehow seem scorched and drooping and not from watering as I'm been on top of this from the getgo.  A few daturas took, some yellow flag irises took (bulbs) etc. etc. I'm still trying tho. I just planted two varieties of moonflower and more datura. We'll see. I think next year I will definitely amend the soil there and see if that will help.
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Posted: Jun/24/2008 2:15 PM PST
April did you ever have a soil test done? Or do one? |
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Posted: Jun/24/2008 5:44 PM PST
I had the same luck with the first batch of seeds i tried but i tried again and found i was a bit carried away with the water the frist time. I have to make myself leave those little babys alone. Apearntly not all plants love to be watered every day. 
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Posted: Jun/26/2008 8:31 AM PST
Welcome back! I had 50/50 flower seed success this year. None of my 4-o'clocks or petunias germinated, but I did get zinnia and coral vine. It was my first time with flower seed and I didn't direct sow. I figure I probably over/under watered. If at first you don't suc"seed", try try again. |
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Posted: Jun/30/2008 10:48 AM PST
I don't have any experience with hibiscus seed. I would guess that the few days you were gone and could not water could have been the main culprit. With a lot of seeds, if they begin to germinate and then dry out, they die. Young seedlings can die pretty easily too without water. Butterfly bush seeds need light to germinate as well as at least four weeks of cold treatment. I wintersowed some this year, and it seems as though one has come up. Recognizing what the seedlings look like is important too, which is one reason why I like to start things indoors, or at least in containers outdoors. I was weeding one day and then realized I had just pulled out a dahlia seedling. Outdoors, sometimes it's good also to water young seedlings with a watering can, or at least spray the hose from a distance, so the force of the water doesn't smush them. Critters can also be a problem with outdoor unprotected seedlings. Birds have liked to eat the seedheads off of my sunflowers as soon as they sprout, so I have had to start them indoors. Critters also don't respect your tender seedlings and can walk or sit on them and break them. Planting way more than you need is one way to minimize some of these problems. Planting depth can also be an issue, some seeds needing light-- lettuce, petunia, begonia, coleus, butterfly bush, and some needing darkness--pansies, hosta, coneflower, in order to germinate. The seeds themselves can also be an issue, some just being no good. Then there's the issue of cold stratification. So much to consider for a few little seeds. I've had pretty good germination this year. The main thing that I think I will do differently is to always make sure to use a light soil. I sometimes used a heavy cheap potting soil which became something like a brick, and for some of the more delicate seeds/seedlings, they jsut weren't able to grow in such a heavy soil. |
