Topic: Don't buy Marigolds

[kenkew]

...Not when they are so easy to grow.

Sprinkle lots of bought or saved seed on loose compost. Water and cover.
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From saved seed I got 50% to germinate.
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Re-pot individually into paper pots.
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60 free Giant Marigold plants.

[jesssands]

I've never had any sucess with saved seed, must be doing something wrong...........
When you said scatter and cover, did you mean cover with soil? and did you propagate in a warm place? like airing cupboard?
Still got some saved seed somewhere, will try again when I hear exactly what to do....lol

[kenkew]

A plastic lid is the cover, don't put compost on top of the seed.
 Bottom heat will help but careful they don't dry out.
Sooo easy, honest.

[Biscombe]

I just scattered on a spare outside pot, hey presto loads germinated, they take no care at all!! I sent loads of my saved seeds out, i hope they are doing as well as mine!

[Lauren S]

Yes my donated seeds are doing great. I have lots of very healthy seedling now..Thank-You  ;D

[wiltshire lass]

I brought some marigolds seeds last year when they were on offer .first time i have ever done them.i did put compost over the seeds and they have still come up.
have to put then in pots yet though.

[MrsKP]

so i don't have to carefully sit there snapping off the tail and carefully planting each one individually like i've done for the past two seasons  :o

got absolute loads of seeds btw, so if anyone wants some Naughty Marietta, Red Marietta (I think) and Jolly Jester then send me a pm.

[Hyacinth]

so i don't have to carefully sit there snapping off the tail and carefully planting each one individually like i've done for the past two seasons  :o

 ::) ;D ;D ;D Laff a minute, you are Kaypers.....welcome back!

[jesssands]

WELL........ been up the shed, and found some saved marigold seed. They are marked 2002! What do you think of their chances?
I've followed the instructions and gonna give them a go.............. :-\
If they were to germinate, how long do you think it would be?
Be a good test huh. I've a nice 90 degree pipe in the airing cupboard for them to sit on.

[kenkew]

Should germinate within the week. Even 2002 you should manage around 25% success. Depends on how they were stored.

[jesssands]

they were still in the flower heads, in a brown envelope in the shed. What dya think?

[kenkew]

Pull them off the flower heads into a container so you can sort out any lumpy bits. Scatter plenty on loose compost, water and cover. You still stand a chance of getting quite a few to germinate.
 Let's know how you get on.
Ken.

[Emagggie]

I read somewhere that the seeds are viable for longer if you store them in their flower heads. Mine are germinating nicely now, I do love 'em. I have loads and loads on the plot and at home ;D
Jolly Jesters still going well here, Mrs KP ;D ;D

[MrsKP]

Had a great display once they'd got big enough for Mr Sluggy and his pals to leave them alone.  Thankfully I had plenty of spares to replace the ones nibbled down to a twig.

I'm guessing there will be a few self sown this year as I didn't get back north to tidy up the beds before January and of course seeds were all over the place.  Will be interesting to see how many actually grow.  As I'm short of time this year, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Lishka, you know me ............ if a job's worth doing etc ....  :P

[Sparkly]

Once you have potted the seedlings up what temp do they need to be kept at? Would a coldframe be out of the question? I have some seed, but there is only so much room inside!

[rosebud]

Has anyone got any Marigold seeds to spare please . Thank you . ;D

[glosterwomble]

Hi Rosebud, pm me your address and I'll send you some that I saved from my plot last year.  :)