Posted: 22/04/2013 at 15:21
Seed growing is frustrating and great when it goes right! Sow a few seeds at a time, use plenty of something like vermiculite to open the compost, use seed compost - nothing with feed in it, keep the watering to the barest minimum, sow as few seeds as possible, give as much light as possible, don't overheat or chill - that's all !!! So much depends on warmth and light, and indeed overcrowding. Maybe try with bigger seeds to start with, easy to handle and separate - things like courgette, pumpkin, beetroot and so on - or go outside when the soil warms up a bit and thrwo around some packets of annual seeds for virtually instant flowers n a few weeks!!
Prick out as soon as the first true leaves appear, that may be over several days or even weeks, rather than wait for them all to get big enough. This gives you staggered plants which gives you a good show for longer, or good crops if they are for eating purposes.
Accept that some things take alot longer than others, primulas are known to take up to 2 years to germinate, some annuals are through in 3 or 4 days, nature will do as she sees fit, but does need the right circumstances to do it. Keep trying, it is so worth it when it does go right. If it doesn't this eyar, there are always plug plants to buy ...................
