Starting Seeds

[GreenMonster]

Anybody here start their perennials from seed? I'm not talking large scale or even for profit, more like a couple o' flats at the house on a hobby basis.

I did it the first time a few years ago, then lost everything when I went on the road for a week.

I gave it another shot this year. Echinacea, Shasta, Black-Eyed Susan, Delphinium. Maybe I'll have a few to add in my beds this year.

Any good tips to really get things going?

[Coffeecraver]

I do it every year not all of them but a few

The problem is that the first year they sleep
The second year they creep
The third year they leap

So if you are planning on perennials from seed that you planted in Nov 04
You may have a nice plant by April 05
If you planted them late then they will still be fine but not until Sept.

I plant mine in the Greenhouse with all the proper soil and temperature controls.

I also buy perennials and annuals in plugs.
This is the best way to go.

:)

[GreenMonster]

yeah Norm, I know even if they do make it, I won't have much to show off until next year. That's ok. Still kinda cool to me to start em from scratch and watch em grow.

Is it true that temp is most important to get them to germinate, then light becomes more important once they sprout?