Hello out there,
On April 3rd I planted some cauliflower, savoy cabbage and leaf beet seeds in jiffy pots, small size. To date I see no sign of any life & I am beginning to get concerned.
Are these seeds slow to germinate? I don't know whether to try again in suitable potting soil or is it too late.
??? Thank you in advance.
None of those are difficult to germinate... all should show within a week to ten days... I think they may have been too cold/damp and rotted off...
or possibly too dry as Jiffy's can be difficult to keep moist... :-\
If you planted them as soon as you had soaked them to swell they may have been too wet, I plant almost everything in them but leave them to drain off a bit after I soak them. on the other hand they can dry out quickly if not covered.
It is very easy to plant too deep with them too as they have a dent in the top which sometimes swells to quite a deep hole.
XX Jeannine
I would scrape away a small bit of compost and take a look. Germination should have taken place but not necessarily, if they have been too cold.
At least if you find a seed you can check the condition of it.
One thing to bring on germination is to water with tepid water. Not too warm but not the icy cold which we find refreshing to drink. I keep a can in the sun in the greenhouse and water with it in every afternoon.
I doubt that every packet of seeds would be duff, but even that is possible.
My leaf beet in toilet roll inners and cauliflower in cell inserts were both up in 5 days in an unheated greenhouse, in B&Q multipurpose compost. I think if I were you I'd resow, maybe in trays instead. Good luck!