Which seeds can I sow now?

[greenmouli]

Hello everyone!
This is Mouli (Chandramouli) from India. I am a garden enthusiast (DUH! ). Anyways, there's this lovely friend of mine who brought me seeds from Germany but the problem is I am not sure as to when to sow them. The instructions in it says sow during spring, but Spring in India and Germany and other western countries is different. Spring in this part of India (South - Chennai) is very hot. The temperature right now is 81 deg. F (27 deg. C) and can get to a maximum of 93 deg. F (34 deg. C). See? That's really hot for temperate zones, but just the beginning of warm weather for us - tropical dwellers.

All the websites that I see suggest that I sow them when the temp. is around 70 deg F. Here's the list of seeds that I have. I'd really appreciate if someone can tell me which ones I can sow now. A quick reply would be really great as I don't have much time. Because almost no seeds germinate during May heat as the soil dries up quickly (btw, I use coco peat, which retains moisture for long even in this heat).

Foxglove
Zinnia (I think I might have success with this. What do you say?)
King Protea
Snapdragon
Rocky Mountain Columbine (I have these in refrigerator for over a year now - read somewhere that it needs cold stratification and so waiting for expert's advice as to when to sow these)
Dwarf Cockscomb
Eucalyptus
Pale Conflower (Echinacea pallida)
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Nasturtium
Mariposita (Schizanthus grahamii)
Nigella
Cistus x cyprius var. ellipticus
Dianthus
Muscari comosum
Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia)
Meadow rue (Thalictrum rochebrunianum)
Common Violet (Viola odorata)
Sturt's Pea (Swainsona formosa)
Coral Pea (Kennedya Beckxiana)
Romulea amoena
Trumpet Lily (Lilium regale)
Turk's Cap Lily (Lilium martagon) - these need alternating warm and cold temps. so do I wait till the heat is gone or can I start them now?
Hemp-Leaved Hollyhock (Althaea Cannabina)
Evening Star (Mentzelia decapetala)

Muskmelon (Cucumis melo)
Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana)
Chard
Wild Strawberry 'Temptation' (Fragaria vesca)
Garden Strawberry

(I am a fan of strawberries and am obsessed with growing them from seeds. I'd be oh-so grateful if someone can tell me when I can start these. What's the maximum temp. that the seeds would germinate in? I have like three seed packets of the Garden strawberries)

If possible I'd appreciate if you can say which seeds need light.

Thanks a ton for all in advance
(I envy you all spring gardeners - in a good way though )

[greenmouli]

Any suggestions??? Kind of in a hurry because I want to get the seeds sown before it gets tooo hot.

[digitS']

Wow, Mouli! That's a nice selection for a temperate garden.

Some things, I've never grown from seeds - protea, all those lilies (muscari? It is almost a weed in my yard ). Maybe the protea and lilies would start well with such heat but . . . I just don't know.

You are right, zinnias are warm-season plants and should be fine. Probably the celosia. Get the muskmelon started, too. As for the rest of them (except, what I don't know about ), I'd wait for cooler weather. Mid or late winter in your climate may be the best choice. Those that self-sow easily might benefit from over-wintering - I'm thinking of Rocky Mountain Columbine (Rocky Mountain Columbine?!!?), hollyhocks, the cone flowers, chard.

It really seems like the wrong time of the year so close to the equator where you are for starting plants grown in temperate climates.

Steve

[greenmouli]

Thank you for that reply. I thought of starting musk melon too but wanted to wait for someone's confirmation. Regarding the others, I guess I gotta wait till the temperature cools down. Actually I have many other cool season seeds with me like the mint, sage, and lots more. Too bad that I should control my temptation. I'll do some research and experiment with others and will keep posted. Your reply's greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[GardenGnome]

Most seed packs come with a lot of seeds. You can always try acouple and see how they do.

[rainbowgardener]

I think that's a good suggestion from GG, try a few and see what happens. Most of us have no experience of trying to garden in your climate, so can't give much good advice.

You mentioned mint and sage as cool season. I don't think of them that way. I think the mint is very hardy and adaptable and will likely germinate just fine. In your climate, you will probably want to give the plant some shade and plenty of moisture, but I don't think you should have trouble starting it. I think of sage/salvia as a warm weather plant. I think it will do fine started now.

You mentioned cold stratification and having seeds in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, just putting seeds in the refrigerator, in their packet, does not count as cold stratifying. It is a good way of storing/preserving them, but does not prepare them to grow later. When they say cold stratification, they really mean cold/moist (planted). In other words, you plant the seeds in moist potting mix (of whatever variety you are using to grow them). Then you cover the whole thing, pot and all, in plastic, so that it stays moist. And THEN you put it in the refrigerator. Check it every couple weeks to be sure it is staying moist.

I expect you could learn more specifically relevant to you, by looking for more local sources of information. I googled "gardening in India" and found these:

https://indigarden.blogspot.com/

https://www.webindia123.com/garden/index.htm