Vivek. M writes
I planted Hollyhocks, Candytuft and Chrysanthemum in two beds (about
30-40 seeds each); the beds were dug up-to a depth off 2 inches. The
soil is clay. I didn't bury the seeds too deep since they were quite
small ( just sprinkled them ).

There are only a very few plants sprouting; The hollyhocks have long
spindly stems .

Possibly because they dried out? It's difficult - some seeds are OK
planted deep, others prefer shallow, and some (eg poppies) need light to
germinate. It's problem with the shallow seeds to make sure they don't
dry out. Or it might just be that you need to be more patient - they
don't all necessarily germinate at once.

No idea on the spindly stems. Usually it's lack of light, but that won't
apply to you. Wait and see if the bush out a bit more?

I also dumped a bunch of Antirrhinum, Salvia and Larkspur in a small 1
inch deep tray and put them on the terrace under a plastic sheet in
the hope that they get better light. The soil was clay. I did NOT
provide any drainage because i can't water them when i go to college.

I generally water one a evening or twice depending on how wet the soil
looks. I placed them in reasonably bright sunlight to dull grey cloudy
light.

Not one seed has sprouted!

How long ago?

Germination requirements are complicated - they include light, moisture,
temperature. Some seeds will germinate within a week, others, even in
ideal conditions, will take months. My best guess that it was too warm
for the antirrhinum etc.

Some seeds need a 'winter' before germinating (their way of ensuring the
germinate at the start of a long growing season) - you can simulate
this, if you need to, by putting the pot in a plastic bag in the fridge
for about 6 weeks.

Thompson and Morgan do a germination guide which I think is free - it
would be worth getting hold of a copy.

But failing all else, try planting in a seed tray at a temperature of
around 20 deg C, make sure the soil is moist, and pop the whole tray
into a plastic bag to cut down water loss. If you're watering more than
once an evening, then you could be doing more to cut down evaporation.



1. Why have such a small percentage of seeds sprouted?
2. What sort of magic-potion can i add to strengthen plant stems?

Light ;-)

3. What are the symptoms of excess water and lack of sunlight?

Excess water - the plant wilts because the roots have rotted and it is
no longer getting any water
Lack of light - spindly growth - but unless you are growing indoors I
can't see this being a problem for you.

Isn't
there some sort of thumb rule to figure out how much water to dump?

Generally, water once the soil dries out, preferably before leaves wilt
.. For seeds and small seedlings, don't let the soil dry out. Ideally, it
should be moist but not wet at all times.

4. Should you expose the seeds to sunlight before planting them?

No. But some seeds need light for germination and should be planted on
top of the soil(1), others need dark and should be well covered.

(1) these are plants which aren't very good in competition, so the need
for light is a way of maximising the chance that the soil has been newly
turned and doesn't have much else growing there.

5. Is there a fail safe recipe for sprouting seeds in controlled
conditions? That way i can figure out what i'm doing wrong!

Are any of your weeds sprouting well.?
I've been sowing seeds for over 40 years and I still have complete
failures, so don't be downhearted.

I remember sprouting green-gram seeds by just sprinkling the seeds on
a cotton wad soaked in water and keeping the bowl near a window!
I used to get a 100% success rate! Why the heck are flower seeds
different?

Green gram - peas or lentils? - bigger seed, lots of food to help the
new seedling along, so it doesn't have to be quite so fussy about
conditions.

Why aren't they sprouting! Surely they should sprout!! All
it takes is a little light and moisture to sprout!!

Should i try them on a cotton wad (just sprinkle them on a wet wad)?

Worth a try.

One chrysanthemum sprout has wrinkled leafs?? It's not getting too
much sunlight.

*Sun* light isn't important, just light (OK, the pedants will tell me
all the light that hits the earth is form the sun) - you'll find it
easier to control maoiture if the seeds aren't in direct sunlight.

--
Kay