These were sown on 19th april, pretty good germination, eh? ;)[attachment=1]
Brilliant- any particular technique?
I had wonderful germination with parsnips sown in March last year. Actually on two rows. The third row started to germinate in the first week of August - which came as a bit of a shock to the beetroot which were growing there by then :D
after observing agricultural drilling machinery, I don't 'draw' a drill with a hoe, I press a broom handle into already firm soil (i don't dig my beds). this groove is then watered with a weak seaweed solution, seeds sown and covered over and fir ;)med in. Also planted on a 'good root plant day' (moon calender) Seems to work, my allotment neighbour planted some 2 weeks before me and his ain't showing yet.
The parsnip seed has a peculiar shape. Not as robust as a lot of seeds.
They need to get just the right amount of moisture to germinate.
Too wet, they rot. Or, they dry out after wetting and then die.
It is noticeable that there are always a lot in every packet too, so we have to sow more than we need.
Parsnips do not like to be transplanted so if you get too many germinating they are wasted.
I started my Parsnip off in toilet rolls The first time I`ve done it that way I have about 90% germination and I see today that the tap root is showing at the bottom, so Early tomorrow I`m tranplanting them out onto the plot. I got 150 little plant to see to.
We've gone down the toilet roll tube route too...
;D
I sowed mine on good friday, same time as the early carrots, beetroot and planted potatoes and Oca that day as well. I don't give them any extra care, just sow them on a root day. We had a real cold patch after that so I didn't think they would come through. I should have more faith - all stations have germinated, and so have the carrots. The radish that marked the rows are now being harvested.
ok i give in when is the next root day
Today was a root day, will have to look in my book to see which is the next one, but there have been some good links on this site on lunar planting.
wed 14th, after 5 p/m. then all day thurs and fri. Germination seems to be better if sown in afternoon, for some strange reason?
excellent :)
ive tried the toilet roll method this year, still awaiting results.................. so maybe a few direct sowings would be a good comparison.
Also at the other side of the pond they do the toilet roll method,works very well for me.I am also growing salsify the same way.
Have to sow mine again. Never had the problem last year. Good job they are cheap seed from Wilko
I've been reading quite a few parsnip germination threads over the last few months and even though i'm a beginner i've had no problems with sowing them straight into my raised bed plot and row 1 sowed on 9th february are coming up lovely they have a few leaves now and row 2 sowed 29 March had the same good germination rate. On the other hand i am having terrible trouble with beetroot.
I've had some pre-chitting on damp kitchen roll for 3 days and nothing's happening. How long do they usually take?
Very poor this year no parsnips for me.
Tried sowing at the allotment and two lots as I did last year in a tub.
shirl the chap who gave us the lettuce said hes got his parsnips growing ok, will be gleaning tips from him, he said he hadnt sown his carrots yet so i was still early, lol, but seems im late with the parsnips, will have to find out his secrets....dont think hed mind sharing as hes just happy the plotas are taken :) hes also promised me some seeds which he says he keeps each year from his own crops, maybe thats his secret i dont know?
Quote from: caroline7758 on May 13, 2008, 20:51:40
I've had some pre-chitting on damp kitchen roll for 3 days and nothing's happening. How long do they usually take?
http://fork-in-hell.blogspot.com/2008/04/spring-has-sprung.html
Caroline i did the pre-chitting way and it worked a treat (click above) , it took about 5 days - 1 week, they were in a tupperware tub on wet kitchen roll which I then put on top of a shelf above the radiator. I was weeding around them yesterday at the plot. I also sowed some into the ground without pre chitting them and they did grow but took much longer.
I've also prechitted mine. In a tupperware box, damp kitchen roll and in the airing cupboard, took about 4-5 days I think.
Ok, will try to be patient!
Yippeeee The row I sowed a couple of weeks later have been more of a success. I think we must have a had a cold spell this year cos my carrots did'nt germinate either but the ones our Bunjy sowed 2 weeks later were ok. Am not gonna be so eager next year. I have managed to hold back from sowing the squash until now.
I've just discovered a seed tray in my gh that I'd forgotten about that has 3 inch high parsnip seedlings in, is there any point planting these out as I know they don't like root disturbance? They all look really healthy with their true leaves so would be a shame to waste them.
Experiment what have you got to lose?
A whole row I planted straight out have all come up. :o ;D ;D ;D
OK - silly question time now. If you pre-chit them on paper in a tuppaware box - when you come to put them out would you press a trench and place them in it at regular intervals and cover. With what do you cover soil or compost? Also, would you then water in or would it cause them to rot? I said it was a silly question (or two!)
twinkletoes
Not silly at all twinkletoes I'm also in a quandry. I tried prechitting, in fridge for 8 days room temperature for 7 and germination is very irregular didn't know whether to plant all seeds out or just those that have germinated. I opted for planting all in loo rolls but because I'm uncertain should I also so some fresh seed direct to be on the safe side? I know it's a bit late but better late that not at all.
Hope some one comes along soon that can help us.
Just checked- I only sowed mine on 26th May last year, so should be ok.
Thanks Caroline :)
Quote from: twinkletoes on May 16, 2008, 13:47:45
OK - silly question time now. If you pre-chit them on paper in a tuppaware box - when you come to put them out would you press a trench and place them in it at regular intervals and cover. With what do you cover soil or compost? Also, would you then water in or would it cause them to rot? I said it was a silly question (or two!)
twinkletoes
Quote from: Susiebelle on May 16, 2008, 17:02:31
Not silly at all twinkletoes I'm also in a quandry. I tried prechitting, in fridge for 8 days room temperature for 7 and germination is very irregular didn't know whether to plant all seeds out or just those that have germinated. I opted for planting all in loo rolls but because I'm uncertain should I also so some fresh seed direct to be on the safe side? I know it's a bit late but better late that not at all.
Hope some one comes along soon that can help us.
The idea of prechitting is to see which ones are viable seeds, they should be prechitted in a warm area like airing cupboard or by a radiator. When they start to sprout then you plant out ONLY the ones that have sprouted. I pushed a cane flat into watered ground to form a shallow trench and station sowed 3 seeds every 6/9 inches apart. I then covered them with some soil to just cover the little trench back over. I kept it watered over the next week or so until they appeared and then after another week or so when you can see how they are doing I thinned them out taking out the 2 weaker ones leaving the healthiest looking one. Hope that makes sense.
Should have read that befoer this morning! I got fed up of waiting for all mine to sprout, so sowed about a row and a half of the sprouted ones (2 to each spot), then sowed the rest anyway, 3 to spot. Will let you know if any of the non-sprouted ones come up!
Caroline I think you've done ok, the non sprouted seeds may well sprout and grow and you've increased your chances by putting 3 of those per station. It is all a case of trying and seeing what works for you anyway. Do let us know what hapens.
Thanks glosterwomble - I'm on the case with gusto now.......no time to lose, must fly and find my tuppaware...... Many thanks.
twinkletoes
Quote from: twinkletoes on May 19, 2008, 16:24:58
Thanks glosterwomble - I'm on the case with gusto now.......no time to lose, must fly and find my tuppaware...... Many thanks.
twinkletoes
Glad to have been of assistance!! ;D