Germinating Salpiglossis - actually not germinating

[Barnowl]

Decided to try some more flowers this year and liked the look of Salpiglossis, a chocolate one from Sarah Raven.

Opened the packet to find only about a dozen  small blue seeds. Tried the first half dozen in cells of seed compost, placed on surface and lightly covered. Placed the tray on top of my heated propagator overnights (in the frost free GH)  and moved it off during the day. The caulis, beetroot and one type of nigella (Damascena) have come up OK, but of the  two other types of Nigella and the Salpiglossis not one has come up. Sowed on 31st March  - am I being too impatient?

Before I try the last half dozen seeds of Salpiglossis, any suggestions either about what I've done wrong, or how I should do it?

[Barnowl]

[Tee Gee]

I have had to sow two lots this year the first lot 'damped off'

With the second batch/s I split them in two and sowed some in my propagator and some on my hotbed to see if I would get different results.

The lot in the propagator germinated in 4 days the lot on the hot bed took 10 days.

You have just reminded me :o I had better have a look at them again, been a bit busy with other things I haven't really looked lately as to how they are progressing!

[Barnowl]

Thanks TeeGee.

When sowing did you just lay the seeds on top of the soil or bury them slightly (or other)?

[theothermarg]

mine got slugged worth trying again
marg

[Tee Gee]

When sowing did you just lay the seeds on top of the soil or bury them slightly (or other)?

On the surface.


Try this put a half teaspoonful of fine sand in the packet shake it and then spread the sand/seed on the surface of the compost.

[Barnowl]

Thanks Tee Gee - will try :)

[Tee Gee]

Had a look yesterday evening................all OK will be ready for pricking out shortly!