Hi all im Dale and new to the forum,

I need some advice on sowing some seeds ive bought off the internet. These include atlantic giant pumpkin, goji berry and brandywine tomato.

The advice i need is:

what compost do i need to sow these,
what equipment do i need to sow them in,

I am fairly new to gardening, but am very experienced in growing runner beans. I usually sow those every year in 3.5cm pots.

However, i haven't got much idea on how to sow these seeds i have. The brandywine tomato is said to be one of the best there is, so i want to get them perfect. Do i use a propagator? If not, what size pots, i.e. the plastic bag over the top to act as a propagotr. When people say use a propagator, they never state how. There is various types of bottoms to the propagator itself, or you can put small pots in etc that are seperate from other seeds. I know some use no pots and just the bottom of the propagator itself, and remove the resulting germination by hand, which i dont like doing.

So, along with this, this brings me to my pumpkin seeds, which i have never ever grown. Do i sow these in a propagator, if so, again, do i use seperate seedling trays, if so what size, if not, what do i use.

Goji berries. Im not expecting much of a reply for this, because they are quite rare i suppose. Nevertheless, these actually came to me in pods, which you have to cut open and remove the seeds. The pod seems very dry, which i presume is the dried fruit itself, as it is quite sticky when cut open, and the seeds resemble chilli seeds by appearence. Have i bought the correct thing? Again, what equipment do i need to germinate these.

Finally, i know a lot of people just use ordinary compost out of grow bags, but i want the best. What sowing/potting compost should i use? I was thinking of using the John Innes basic sowing compost, but will use anything recommended. I have endless amounts of well prepared horse manure from a relative who keeps horses, so that shouldnt be a problem.

The facilities i intend to use for the pumpkins and goji berries are basically a long strip of well kept soil. I intend to keep the tomatoes in a plasticky type cheaper version of a greenhouse, which actually is very good.

I know this sounds full on, but time is running out for sowing.

Many Thanks,
Dale.

tarantula_123 wrote:
Hi all im Dale and new to the forum,

I need some advice on sowing some seeds ive bought off the internet.
These include atlantic giant pumpkin, goji berry and brandywine
tomato.

The advice i need is:

what compost do i need to sow these,

Nice rich soil would be good. One does not need to grow in pure compost.

what equipment do i need to sow them in,

Why do you need any?


I am fairly new to gardening, but am very experienced in growing
runner beans. I usually sow those every year in 3.5cm pots.

However, i haven't got much idea on how to sow these seeds i have. The
brandywine tomato is said to be one of the best there is, so i want to
get them perfect. Do i use a propagator? If not, what size pots, i.e.
the plastic bag over the top to act as a propagotr. When people say
use a propagator, they never state how. There is various types of
bottoms to the propagator itself, or you can put small pots in etc
that are seperate from other seeds. I know some use no pots and just
the bottom of the propagator itself, and remove the resulting
germination by hand, which i dont like doing.

Why do you need a propagator? What is your climate?


So, along with this, this brings me to my pumpkin seeds, which i have
never ever grown. Do i sow these in a propagator, if so, again, do i
use seperate seedling trays, if so what size, if not, what do i use.


Generally they don't like to have their roots disturbed. Either sow them
directly or use tapered seedling tubes, one each tube.

David

Hi there,

My climate is the midlands in the United Kingdom.

There surely has to be some equipment to sow the seeds in. Pumpkins i know can be planted straight into the ground like runner beans, but the other two seeds i have wont grow like that im thinking.

You mention tapered seedling tube. What are they? Where do i get them from? Do you just mean tapered seedling trays?

Cheers,
Dale.

tarantula_123 wrote:
'David Hare-Scott[_2_ Wrote:
;953493']tarantula_123 wrote:-
Hi all im Dale and new to the forum,

I need some advice on sowing some seeds ive bought off the internet.
These include atlantic giant pumpkin, goji berry and brandywine
tomato.

The advice i need is:

what compost do i need to sow these,-

Nice rich soil would be good. One does not need to grow in pure
compost.
-
what equipment do i need to sow them in,-

Why do you need any?
-

I am fairly new to gardening, but am very experienced in growing
runner beans. I usually sow those every year in 3.5cm pots.

However, i haven't got much idea on how to sow these seeds i have.
The brandywine tomato is said to be one of the best there is, so i
want to get them perfect. Do i use a propagator? If not, what size
pots, i.e. the plastic bag over the top to act as a propagotr. When
people say use a propagator, they never state how. There is various
types of bottoms to the propagator itself, or you can put small pots
in etc that are seperate from other seeds. I know some use no pots
and just the bottom of the propagator itself, and remove the
resulting germination by hand, which i dont like doing.-

Why do you need a propagator? What is your climate?
-

So, along with this, this brings me to my pumpkin seeds, which i have
never ever grown. Do i sow these in a propagator, if so, again, do i
use seperate seedling trays, if so what size, if not, what do i use.
-

Generally they don't like to have their roots disturbed. Either sow
them
directly or use tapered seedling tubes, one each tube.

David

Hi there,

My climate is the midlands in the United Kingdom.


That tells me where you are, not if it is warm enough for seeds to
germinate. What will be the daily temperature range in the place where you
want to start your seeds?

There surely has to be some equipment to sow the seeds in.

Why surely? You seem focussed on this. You need a propagator only if you
are trying to germinate seeds when it is too cold for normal development.
If it will be warm enough without it you are wasting time and money.

Pumpkins i
know can be planted straight into the ground like runner beans, but
the other two seeds i have wont grow like that im thinking.

You mention tapered seedling tube. What are they? Where do i get them
from? Do you just mean tapered seedling trays?


No I mean tubes. They are about 15cm high and wider at the top than the
bottom, the cross section is square, made of plastic, sit in racks of about
40. They are used to start tube stock: ie trees, shrubs and the likes.
They have the advantage that the roots don't go round and round and the
whole root ball comes out easily in one chunk allowing it to be planted
without disturbing the roots. Ask at your nursery.

Your climate (amongst other things) will also determine how well these giant
pumpkins do. You will need a lot of space in full sun, with a long warm/hot
growing season for them to become impressive.

David

Hi again,

The average temperature in the midlands at the moment is around 13/14 degrees at its highest, moving down to 6/7 at its lowest. Hope this helps.

I cant say ive heard of those tubes before.

Cheers,
Dale.

tarantula_123 wrote:
'David Hare-Scott[_2_ Wrote:
;953578']tarantula_123 wrote:-
'David Hare-Scott[_2_ Wrote:-
;953493']tarantula_123 wrote:-
Hi all im Dale and new to the forum,

I need some advice on sowing some seeds ive bought off the internet.
These include atlantic giant pumpkin, goji berry and brandywine
tomato.

The advice i need is:

what compost do i need to sow these,-

Nice rich soil would be good. One does not need to grow in pure
compost.
-
what equipment do i need to sow them in,-

Why do you need any?
-

I am fairly new to gardening, but am very experienced in growing
runner beans. I usually sow those every year in 3.5cm pots.

However, i haven't got much idea on how to sow these seeds i have.
The brandywine tomato is said to be one of the best there is, so i
want to get them perfect. Do i use a propagator? If not, what size
pots, i.e. the plastic bag over the top to act as a propagotr. When
people say use a propagator, they never state how. There is various
types of bottoms to the propagator itself, or you can put small pots
in etc that are seperate from other seeds. I know some use no pots
and just the bottom of the propagator itself, and remove the
resulting germination by hand, which i dont like doing.-

Why do you need a propagator? What is your climate?
-

So, along with this, this brings me to my pumpkin seeds, which i have
never ever grown. Do i sow these in a propagator, if so, again, do i
use seperate seedling trays, if so what size, if not, what do i use.
-

Generally they don't like to have their roots disturbed. Either sow
them
directly or use tapered seedling tubes, one each tube.

David-

Hi there,

My climate is the midlands in the United Kingdom.
-

That tells me where you are, not if it is warm enough for seeds to
germinate. What will be the daily temperature range in the place
where you
want to start your seeds?
-
There surely has to be some equipment to sow the seeds in.-

Why surely? You seem focussed on this. You need a propagator only
if you
are trying to germinate seeds when it is too cold for normal
development.
If it will be warm enough without it you are wasting time and money.

Pumpkins i-
know can be planted straight into the ground like runner beans, but
the other two seeds i have wont grow like that im thinking.

You mention tapered seedling tube. What are they? Where do i get them
from? Do you just mean tapered seedling trays?
-

No I mean tubes. They are about 15cm high and wider at the top than
the

bottom, the cross section is square, made of plastic, sit in racks of
about
40. They are used to start tube stock: ie trees, shrubs and the
likes.

They have the advantage that the roots don't go round and round and
the

whole root ball comes out easily in one chunk allowing it to be
planted

without disturbing the roots. Ask at your nursery.

Your climate (amongst other things) will also determine how well
these giant
pumpkins do. You will need a lot of space in full sun, with a long
warm/hot
growing season for them to become impressive.

David

Hi again,

The average temperature in the midlands at the moment is around 13/14
degrees at its highest, moving down to 6/7 at its lowest. Hope this
helps.


That seems to be the outside temperature. Is that where you are going to
start your seeds? Is there no sun-facing window in the house where it would
be warmer?

D

Hi again,

No i dont plan on starting the seeds outside. Yes it is much warmer inside, and i have space on windowsills. I do have a plastic cover type greenhouse which is set up and ready if that helps.

Cheers,
Dale.

tarantula_123 wrote:
'David Hare-Scott[_2_ Wrote:
;953677']tarantula_123 wrote:-
'David Hare-Scott[_2_ Wrote:-
;953578']tarantula_123 wrote:-
'David Hare-Scott[_2_ Wrote:-
;953493']tarantula_123 wrote:-
Hi all im Dale and new to the forum,

I need some advice on sowing some seeds ive bought off the internet.
These include atlantic giant pumpkin, goji berry and brandywine
tomato.

The advice i need is:

what compost do i need to sow these,-

Nice rich soil would be good. One does not need to grow in pure
compost.
-
what equipment do i need to sow them in,-

Why do you need any?
-

I am fairly new to gardening, but am very experienced in growing
runner beans. I usually sow those every year in 3.5cm pots.

However, i haven't got much idea on how to sow these seeds i have.
The brandywine tomato is said to be one of the best there is, so i
want to get them perfect. Do i use a propagator? If not, what size
pots, i.e. the plastic bag over the top to act as a propagotr. When
people say use a propagator, they never state how. There is various
types of bottoms to the propagator itself, or you can put small pots
in etc that are seperate from other seeds. I know some use no pots
and just the bottom of the propagator itself, and remove the
resulting germination by hand, which i dont like doing.-

Why do you need a propagator? What is your climate?
-

So, along with this, this brings me to my pumpkin seeds, which i have
never ever grown. Do i sow these in a propagator, if so, again, do i
use seperate seedling trays, if so what size, if not, what do i use.
-

Generally they don't like to have their roots disturbed. Either sow
them
directly or use tapered seedling tubes, one each tube.

David-

Hi there,

My climate is the midlands in the United Kingdom.
-

That tells me where you are, not if it is warm enough for seeds to
germinate. What will be the daily temperature range in the place
where you
want to start your seeds?
-
There surely has to be some equipment to sow the seeds in.-

Why surely? You seem focussed on this. You need a propagator only
if you
are trying to germinate seeds when it is too cold for normal
development.
If it will be warm enough without it you are wasting time and money.

Pumpkins i-
know can be planted straight into the ground like runner beans, but
the other two seeds i have wont grow like that im thinking.

You mention tapered seedling tube. What are they? Where do i get them
from? Do you just mean tapered seedling trays?
-

No I mean tubes. They are about 15cm high and wider at the top than
the

bottom, the cross section is square, made of plastic, sit in racks of
about
40. They are used to start tube stock: ie trees, shrubs and the
likes.

They have the advantage that the roots don't go round and round and
the

whole root ball comes out easily in one chunk allowing it to be
planted

without disturbing the roots. Ask at your nursery.

Your climate (amongst other things) will also determine how well
these giant
pumpkins do. You will need a lot of space in full sun, with a long
warm/hot
growing season for them to become impressive.

David-

Hi again,

The average temperature in the midlands at the moment is around 13/14
degrees at its highest, moving down to 6/7 at its lowest. Hope this
helps.
-

That seems to be the outside temperature. Is that where you are
going to
start your seeds? Is there no sun-facing window in the house where
it would
be warmer?

D

Hi again,

No i dont plan on starting the seeds outside. Yes it is much warmer
inside, and i have space on windowsills. I do have a plastic cover
type greenhouse which is set up and ready if that helps.

Cheers,
Dale.

You could take the temperature of this indoor spot for a few days (and
nights) and if it is warm enough just plant away, if not you may need a
heated propagator to get that head start on the season. There are tables on
the WWW that list the preferred germination temp for many cultivated plants
that will help you decide, sorry I seem to have lost the link that I was
thinking of.

D