water and leave overnight before sowing.

I got a little propagator tub of pansies from the supermarket. It says to water the compost and leave overnight before sowing the seeds.

I'm just curious as to why it should be left overnight.
Any ideas?

 

I suspect it is to make sure it has drained properly and/or to let it warm up to room temperature.

Unless someone disagrees I think that's a bit overkill

I stand my seed trays in a bowl of water (not so deep that the water overflows the trays). I put some fungicide in the water (Sheshunt Compound, abut that has been [-hased out, there are altrenativelys suitable for seeds). I give them about 10 minutes - if the surface is clearly wet that's plenty, but not necessary to wait that long.

I then let them drain for an hour or so. I sow the seeds on the top and if approrpaite cover lightyl (usually with vermiculite)

I don't grow Pansies but if memory serves me the seed is very fine, if so its probably sufficient to just sow the seed on the surface - but the tray will need covering with transparent lid, or cling film, to keep the humidity / moisture up.

 

Thanks for the info. Yes, pansy seeds are tiny and the instructions are to just push them onto the compost without covering them.

The mini-propagators they come in don't have holes in the bottom so I wonder if it might be better just chucking them away and using a proper seed tray with a lid?

We put some pansies in the garden before winter and they've lasted all the way through the harsh frosts. I'm very impressed by the tough wee things.

 

Pansies are very easy to germinate.

For most seed I sow, and then stand the pot in a saucer of water until the water shows at the top.
You then know the compost is totally wet and will be wet enough until germination takes place.

This works very well in a propagator as you then almost never need to water again until the seed is growing well.