Jeff Layman wrote:
Ophelia wrote:
Jeff Layman wrote:
Ophelia wrote:
Dave Hill wrote:
On 5 June, 19:56, "alan.holmes"
wrote:
Why is it, that practically all the seeds I have sown this year
have either failed to germinate, or taken several weeks to show
themselves?

It is very annoying.

Alan

A lot of seeds are temperature sensitive, whilst most people
realise that seeds wont germinate if they are to cold, the same
goes if they are to hot, and all seeds have differeny temp.
ranges. You may well find that now it is cooling down then they
may decide to start moving.
David Hill

Much easier for me. I don't know when they are supposed to appear,
so I just wait and not worry)

Not sure what I would do if they didn't appear at all)

Keep waiting. If you have some seeds of unusual species, then don't
throw away the pots of seeds for at least 3 years. Some seeds have
double dormancy, which means they need at least 2 winters to go
through before they will germinate. Others have very persistent
germination inhibitors or very thick seed coats, which need a long
time to break down. It's all to do with nature making sure that
some seeds hang around a while before germinating, thus ensuring
some survive while those that germinated quickly may perish.

Oh my!! Thanks, Jeff! That is very interesting.

As always, your advice will be saved for future reference,

You are welcome. Note that for some, 3 years is considered a little
hasty! They make keep sown seed for 5 years or even more!!! I wonder
where they keep all these pots, and make sure that the labels stay
legible...

Good point I doubt I shall ever try to grow anything so exotic that it
will take years to germinate, but if I do, you will be hearing about it