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Winter sowing

Posted: Oct 24, 2003 9:04 am
by Deb118
Has anyone done this? If so, how? I am thinking of trying it this year :D

Posted: Oct 24, 2003 9:17 am
by gardenkat
Yes, I did it last year. One thing I learned is to go with better potting soil this year. I bought several different kinds last year and the cheap stuff got all hard and crusty, the seeds planted in it didn't grow. But I had success with several other things planted in better soil. The other really important thing is to remember to label the containers! I did a few on a day I was really rushed and thought "I'll label them later" and of course, by "later" I forgot what I had planted. :oops: But I'm looking forward to WSing again this year.

Posted: Oct 25, 2003 2:31 am
by Mary Ann
Good point, Gardenkat. Never go with those bargain brand potting soils. I bought a bunch of it a couple years ago and wound up using it for fill, it was so dense. Now I choose soilless pro blends or seed starter mix.

Posted: Oct 25, 2003 5:58 am
by whis4ey
Whatcha gonna grow Debs?
I might wanna copy you :D

Posted: Oct 25, 2003 8:55 am
by Deb118
Anything I can Sam. DH is wanting to get my green house up this fall. Might as well put it to use ;)

Posted: Oct 26, 2003 9:59 am
by HeatherMac
Hi Deb,
A few tips ..don't waste your money on peat pots...to start my seeds I use the plastic boxes that berries come in . A square of wet newspaper in the bottom keeps the soil from falling out...I find using plastic cuts down on mold..also a thin layer of pearlite and a sprinkle of cinnamon prevents damping off.
I've been growing from seed in the greenhouse for years, if you have any questions I'd be glad to answer...
macgarden@sympatico.ca
Heather

Posted: Oct 26, 2003 8:50 pm
by bsmcwilliams
Cinnamon will work for antifungal? I think that would be better than smelly dangerous chemicals for sure. :beer:

Posted: Feb 03, 2004 11:12 am
by Indiana Gardener
Hi all!

Been a while since I've posted here, been busy lately. Just wanted to drop a note that Heather is right.
I use cinnamon on my hybrid Sarracenia seeds I make to prevent damping off. It works great. If anyone knows how wet Sarracenia require their medium to be and how prone they are to damping off, that's a true testament to how well it works.
Bye for now,

Posted: Mar 26, 2004 11:37 pm
by GiniaC
So you just sprinkle the cinnamonon top of te soil after planting the seeds? Interesting indeed!
This is my first year trying the winter sow thing and so far with good results. I just checked today and many of the flats are sprouting. I've got poppies, golden alyssum, babies breath, and a few others popping.

Posted: Mar 29, 2004 1:49 pm
by BARB
I was looking for somewhere to start a winter sowing thread, and Ginny you found it.......good! I have sproutage now, and I found a few mistakes I made, forgot to cut drainage holes in 2 containers....don't know how that will go. Ginny, I am growing your teeny tiny carnations, somewhere, I found the tag for marking them out in the yard.....cats? Also made the mistake on the soil, used top soil not seed starting, still up for grabls on that one....we shall see.

All in all, pretty succesful and I think I will do it again next winter......thanks Nikkal for all the info on it.......

Posted: Mar 29, 2004 4:47 pm
by GiniaC
Barb, I have no idea what there called. They're some kind of dianthus but when I did a search I couldn't find them anywhere. I got the plant in a local nursery. Are they sprouting for you? I didn't even winter sow any of them, I just sprinkled the seed in one of my beds in the fall. I hope I get a few more of them, they're pretty looking.

Posted: Mar 29, 2004 4:54 pm
by BARB
Ginny,not sure if they are or not....have about 20 different ws containers on the deck, all have markers in them. However, I found the marker for the carnation out in the yard, no idea what box it came out of :oops:

Posted: Apr 05, 2004 7:29 pm
by GiniaC
I NEED HELP! A few of winter sown containers have sprouted, but, the sprouts look almost white instead of green in color. What's going on? Not enough sun?

Posted: Apr 05, 2004 10:45 pm
by Nikkal
Ginny, have you opened up the slits or holes in the covers? They may be getting a little sunburned. Even though it may still seem cool outside, the sun shining through the plastic covers can get quite warm. Open up the ventilation holes some, and if they're in direct sun all day, try moving them to an area with pm shade.


Nik

Posted: Apr 06, 2004 10:16 am
by GiniaC
Nikkal, I opened up the slits in the plastic already, but our temps went down drastically the last couple of days. I'm afraid to open them too much. We're in the twenties at night. I'll try what you said and see if there's any change. Thanks! :D

Posted: Apr 27, 2004 8:49 am
by michael_QvQ
Winter sowing worked for so many seeds... iris, hems, grasses, lilacs, lilies, sedums, hosta...! I will sow more next winter without a doubt!
How about yours?... Deb?

Posted: Apr 27, 2004 11:10 am
by Deb118
:o Are those pop bottles Michael? My attempt didnt do diddly SQUAT! :evil: I did mine in plastic pans in baggies. Maybe I'll try it in the bottles next year. Or not :???:

Posted: Apr 28, 2004 8:46 pm
by michael_QvQ
Sorry it did not work out for you Deb :( ...

Yes, I recycled .5 litre water and 2 liter pop bottles.
I really enjoyed the whole wintersow experience and the early results are extremely encouraging... :D

Posted: Apr 28, 2004 9:20 pm
by Denise_in_MI
mkay, I am needing a lesson here. How do you do that? When do you start? Which exposure do they have?

Posted: Apr 28, 2004 10:49 pm
by Soummer
Yes, please do tell, in detail!