Hello everyone!
I've been lurking for a little while and have learned quite a bit. Thank you for being so forthcoming with great information. It really is helpful.
Okay... I want to try and start my spring and summer flowers from seed this year, but I am really lost on the best way to get started. I thought that I would keep it simple since this is my first time doing anything like this. I'm only looking to get a modest number of the following:
Snapdragons
Impatiens
Geraniums
Zinnias
I almost feel foolish for asking some of these questions!
(1) Where do I purchase good seed to get me started? After my first year, I can harvest the seeds and go on. My problem with purchasing the seed packets from the local garden center or big box is that most of these come in a mixed assortment of colors, while I am looking for specific colors.
(2) When should I get started on these? Frost-free date is in early-mid April, so I'm still about 6-8 weeks out.
(3) What kind of yield should I expect on my first go at this? 60%?? 75%?
I'm certain I'll have a whole bunch more questions. Thank you so much for all the help.
Ben
Coastal NC, 7b
Newbie... need some guidance!
Last edited by bldavis11 on Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Hi Ben, I can only answer a few of your questions.
First of all, I am a little surprised that your frost-free date would be so late there on the North Carolina coast. But whatever the case, getting an early start will take some quick action.
I'm not really sure what you mean by "yield." Percent of germination, perhaps? That depends on quite a few things but I don't have much trouble with any of the 3 I'll talk about here. Sow those snapdragon seeds very shallow - a light sprinkle of soil over them. They are tiny but should do okay for you.
It has been a good number of years since I have grown impatiens. I don't think you need wait any later than when you would start snapdragons and I grow those from seed every year. Usually, I buy most of my seed through the Stokes and Johnny's seed catalogs. They are both very prompt at sending my order. Both offer many choices in single colors for impatiens, snaps and zinnias. Stokes has seed for quite a few geranium varieties. I often purchase a few geranium plants and have not grown them from seed.
Both impatiens and snaps are started about 8 to 10 weeks before setting out. I will set out snaps very close to the last frost date.
Zinnias are not at all frost-hardy and you will need to wait well after there is any danger before transplanting them outdoors. I often have a little problem if there are any delays because of cold spring weather. Zinnias grow quite quickly and are ready to go out as early as 4 weeks. They may get quite root-bound if they need to stay indoors very long.
I grow zinnias in flats of 48 plants whereas the snaps are in flats of 72. Probably, the impatiens should fit in flats of 72, as well.
Let's say your last frost is April 10. I would have started a few snapdragon seeds about Feb 15 and few more before March 1. Zinnias, I would wait until about March 15 and 25.
Just how I would do it. Here is wishing you the Best of Luck!
Steve
First of all, I am a little surprised that your frost-free date would be so late there on the North Carolina coast. But whatever the case, getting an early start will take some quick action.
I'm not really sure what you mean by "yield." Percent of germination, perhaps? That depends on quite a few things but I don't have much trouble with any of the 3 I'll talk about here. Sow those snapdragon seeds very shallow - a light sprinkle of soil over them. They are tiny but should do okay for you.
It has been a good number of years since I have grown impatiens. I don't think you need wait any later than when you would start snapdragons and I grow those from seed every year. Usually, I buy most of my seed through the Stokes and Johnny's seed catalogs. They are both very prompt at sending my order. Both offer many choices in single colors for impatiens, snaps and zinnias. Stokes has seed for quite a few geranium varieties. I often purchase a few geranium plants and have not grown them from seed.
Both impatiens and snaps are started about 8 to 10 weeks before setting out. I will set out snaps very close to the last frost date.
Zinnias are not at all frost-hardy and you will need to wait well after there is any danger before transplanting them outdoors. I often have a little problem if there are any delays because of cold spring weather. Zinnias grow quite quickly and are ready to go out as early as 4 weeks. They may get quite root-bound if they need to stay indoors very long.
I grow zinnias in flats of 48 plants whereas the snaps are in flats of 72. Probably, the impatiens should fit in flats of 72, as well.
Let's say your last frost is April 10. I would have started a few snapdragon seeds about Feb 15 and few more before March 1. Zinnias, I would wait until about March 15 and 25.
Just how I would do it. Here is wishing you the Best of Luck!
Steve
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
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- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Agree, that I would start all of them except the zinnias, NOW. My frost free date is a week later than yours and I have geraniums that are nice little plants with two sets of true leaves and impatiens planted.
The zinnias I usually just direct seed in the ground once the soil is warmed up. They are quick growing.
The zinnias I usually just direct seed in the ground once the soil is warmed up. They are quick growing.
Thanks Steve!
After looking into this a little more, your intuition is correct. My frost free date is in mid March, not mid April. That puts me about 4 weeks away... a little behind I suppose. Well, since this is my first go at it, I'm not too worried.
It also appears that growing geraniums/pelargoniums from seed is somewhat painful. I suppose I'll give it a go anyway and see what I can make of it. I can always spend a few dollars and purchase a nice stock plant from which to take cuttings.
I also appreciate you passing along the names of those seed companies. It's been most helpful!
Thanks again!
Ben
After looking into this a little more, your intuition is correct. My frost free date is in mid March, not mid April. That puts me about 4 weeks away... a little behind I suppose. Well, since this is my first go at it, I'm not too worried.
It also appears that growing geraniums/pelargoniums from seed is somewhat painful. I suppose I'll give it a go anyway and see what I can make of it. I can always spend a few dollars and purchase a nice stock plant from which to take cuttings.
I also appreciate you passing along the names of those seed companies. It's been most helpful!
Thanks again!
Ben
-
rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Not sure what you meant by that. I have some under lights right now. Germination rate wasn't very high. I planted 25 seeds and got 8 plants. But the ones that sprouted are doing just fine; I will be up potting them today or tomorrow.bldavis11 wrote:Thanks Steve!
It also appears that growing geraniums/pelargoniums from seed is somewhat painful.
Ben
I mean the germination rate doesn't appear to be very high. Much like a Monday-morning QB, I have zero experience in this field. If I decide to start some geraniums from seed, I'll let everyone know my results!rainbowgardener wrote: Not sure what you meant by that. I have some under lights right now. Germination rate wasn't very high. I planted 25 seeds and got 8 plants. But the ones that sprouted are doing just fine; I will be up potting them today or tomorrow.