1. A very warm welcome to our new members from GW forums!
    Please see post #99 in the thread below for important information to help your friends wishing to join
    Gardeners World forum members gathering place
    Dismiss Notice

Secret to not getting clumps of seeds together please?

Discussion in 'Propagation This Month' started by Barders, May 12, 2020.

  1. Barders

    Barders Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2015
    Messages:
    220
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Lea, Ross-on-Wye
    Ratings:
    +153
    Hi,

    I am a newbie, so sorry if I have posted this in the incorrect forum.

    This is the first time I have tried to grow seeds in a seed tray (Lobelia). I thought I had been really careful trying to get the tiny seeds as spread out as possible, but as you will see from the attached photo, turns out not so much :doh:

    Is there a good technique for ensuring you get as even a spread as possible, when the seeds are so very tiny (I can hardly see them even with my glasses on) please? :help:

    I suppose I will have to try and separate them when they get bigger, but I am probably going to lose a lot doing that?

    Many thanks in advance. :smile: IMG_1965.JPG
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • ricky101

      ricky101 Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jun 15, 2016
      Messages:
      3,268
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Sheffield
      Ratings:
      +4,180
      Hi,

      It can be difficult as you say, the supposed way to overcome it is get some fine dry silver sand ( small bags in most garden centers) and mix the seed into a small handful of sand then spread the sand.

      Lobelia in particular is difficult to keep apart but do not try transplant them singly, just move a small clump and pot that up, might be 5 to 20 seedings but thats fine, it will still make a good plant.
       
      • Informative Informative x 2
      • Barders

        Barders Gardener

        Joined:
        Apr 12, 2015
        Messages:
        220
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Lea, Ross-on-Wye
        Ratings:
        +153
        That's brilliant @ricky101 thank you so much. I was so pleased they have started to come up but thought I had ruined them, so that is a relief, thank you :dbgrtmb:
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • ricky101

          ricky101 Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 15, 2016
          Messages:
          3,268
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Sheffield
          Ratings:
          +4,180
          You are welcome.

          Should also have said get some cheapo x2 or x3 reading glasses like we used to struggle with ! but these days we cheat a little. :)

          Not too far away is a very good garden center who sow small pots of Lobelia, Begonias etc and once a bit bigger than yours are, sell them for about £2 a pot.

          We were lucky enough to get them just before the lock down so they are now almost ready to plant out as you can see.
          Just want the warm sunshine to come back...

          000233.jpg
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Useful Useful x 1
          • Barders

            Barders Gardener

            Joined:
            Apr 12, 2015
            Messages:
            220
            Gender:
            Female
            Location:
            Lea, Ross-on-Wye
            Ratings:
            +153
            What a clever idea about the £1 glasses, I know the Poundshop is open, so will get some, I only have reading glasses and not very strong, so that probably didn't help :thud:

            We have a great local nursery, they have been delivering, but not Lobelia plants, so I am hoping they will be partially opening again soon and will get some of those as well, just incase mine don't make it ;)

            Gosh they look great, looking forward to seeing mine grow :spinning:

            Take care and thanks again @ricky101
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              47,498
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +83,883
              When I was young and into bedding plants I used to actually prick out lobelia singly, its amazing how bushy one plant gets if it is grown singly.

              Couldn't do it now though, cant see well enough.
               
              • Useful Useful x 1
              • Barders

                Barders Gardener

                Joined:
                Apr 12, 2015
                Messages:
                220
                Gender:
                Female
                Location:
                Lea, Ross-on-Wye
                Ratings:
                +153
                I would like to give that a go @pete, thank you for sharing that.

                I bought a pair of +3.5 glasses today from Poundland, haven't had a go with them yet, but I am hoping that I might be able to pick off the ones on the outside of the larger clumps at least!
                 
                • Like Like x 2
                • ricky101

                  ricky101 Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 15, 2016
                  Messages:
                  3,268
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Sheffield
                  Ratings:
                  +4,180
                  Assumed your pic shows the size of them now ?

                  Would let them grow a bit bigger before transplanting, makes it easier if nothing else.

                  Find using a little 1/2 or 1 ltr spray bottle an easier way of watering such fine seedlings, avoids risking washing some away and using room temp water avoids shocking and stunting their growth.
                  Getting too kind to our plants in old age ....:biggrin:
                   
                  • Useful Useful x 1
                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                    Joined:
                    Jan 9, 2005
                    Messages:
                    47,498
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Retired
                    Location:
                    Mid Kent
                    Ratings:
                    +83,883
                    If I was growing them these days I'd use those trays with divided cells and put a small pinch of seed in each section, it avoids any pricking out entirely.
                     
                    • Useful Useful x 1
                    • Barders

                      Barders Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Apr 12, 2015
                      Messages:
                      220
                      Gender:
                      Female
                      Location:
                      Lea, Ross-on-Wye
                      Ratings:
                      +153
                      Thank you for the advice @ricky101. I collected quite a few trays with divided cells for bedding plants from last year, so will definitely sow the other packet of Lobelias into those. Great idea about the spray bottle, I have a small one so will do that tomorrow, I was a bit worried about drowning them, so feel a lot more confident about that now:thumbsup:
                       
                    Loading...

                    Share This Page

                    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                      Dismiss Notice