@ Garten prinz It would be interesting to know your techniques 
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Succes with germinating seeds is dependant upon a lot of factors.
-- The quality of the seeds. Many seeds, especially annuals, remain viable for a considerable time. Last year I had good germination on Cosmos bipinnatus seeds that were at least 6 years old. There are however species of which the seeds remain viable for a limited time or have to be stored in a certain way to remain viable. Trillium seed remains viable for a short amount of time and should be moist packed right after harvest. Same with Magnolia, Daphne, perennial Adonis species etc. So if you buy seeds which are viable for a limited period be sure to buy these from reliable sources and are stored in the right way. I find it a big shame that well known seed companies sell seeds that are dead on arrival because too old or not stored the right way.
-- Know the requirements for getting germination of a genus/species. Many seeds have special requirements in order to germinate. Some must go through a cold period of at least 3 months before they can germinate, others require a warm-cold-warm before they can germinate, some seeds need light to germinate, others must be scarified. So it is important that you know the germination requirements of the species that you sow. Luckily a lot of information can be found on the internet. A lot of gardeners give tips and share experiences on gardening forums. Some other sources are:
*** Tom Clothier's Germination database. Not bad but more emphasis should be put on the fact that some species remain viable for a short period of time or should be stored moist if at all.
*** Norman Deno's Germination: Theory and Practice. Interesting but hampered by the fact that Deno was given a lot of old/non-viable seeds by many seed companies.
*** Woody Plant Seed Manual from the USDA Forest Service. One of the best sources currently available for many woody species.
(These three sources can all be found on the internet)
-- Use clean pots with enough drainage holes. Sowing soil is very important. I mostly use sieved rhododendron potting soil and add sharp sand in order to improve drainage. One of the main problems with sowing is that the people use sowing soil that stays too wet too long.
-- Some species require patience. Don't expect that all the seeds germinate after the expected time. This does not happen in nature and will not happen with you . Don't throw away seeds of perennial and woody plants too soon.
-- Expect some disappointment. For beginners it is often a question of trial and error. Learn from your mistakes. I made a lot of mistakes in the past and still do!
-- Remember that germination is only the first step in getting a plant that can be planted in the garden. There are a lot of dangers lurking around. To name a few: damping off disease, slugs and snails, birds, rodents, too much watering, not enough watering, well meaning family members (children and spouses are usually the worst!), the weather, forgetfulness etc. etc.
-- Don't forget to enjoy the results of your efforts.
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Thema: Was keimt bei euch 2014 (Gelesen 38928 mal)
