What's the best way to start small seed perennial flowers, like
dianthus, delphinium, and columine..etal. The seeds are so small that
I'm fearful the planting them outside will be fruitless...are there
any keys to getting them to germinate and sprout outside or is it
better to start them in containers inside?

When you plant small seeds like this, you can use something with the seeds like
sand to give them a buffer. Very tiny seeds can be put into a salt shaker (old
fashioned type with large holes) mixed with sand and sprinkle them in place.
Make sure you know what each seed needs in the way of heat, light to germinate,
or darkness to germinate.

Victoria

On Thu, 01 May 2003 01:37:20 GMT, stever wrote:

What's the best way to start small seed perennial flowers, like
dianthus, delphinium, and columine..etal. The seeds are so small that
I'm fearful the planting them outside will be fruitless...are there
any keys to getting them to germinate and sprout outside or is it
better to start them in containers inside?

Hey! That's a really good idea about the salt shaker. Have to remember
that one!
--
Tammie
Zone 2b-3a Far Northern Ontario
http://community.webshots.com/user/_tammie57


"animaux" wrote in message
...
When you plant small seeds like this, you can use something with the seeds
like
sand to give them a buffer. Very tiny seeds can be put into a salt shaker
(old
fashioned type with large holes) mixed with sand and sprinkle them in
place.
Make sure you know what each seed needs in the way of heat, light to
germinate,
or darkness to germinate.

Victoria

On Thu, 01 May 2003 01:37:20 GMT, stever wrote:

What's the best way to start small seed perennial flowers, like
dianthus, delphinium, and columine..etal. The seeds are so small that
I'm fearful the planting them outside will be fruitless...are there
any keys to getting them to germinate and sprout outside or is it
better to start them in containers inside?

animaux wrote:

When you plant small seeds like this, you can use something with the seeds like
sand to give them a buffer. Very tiny seeds can be put into a salt shaker (old
fashioned type with large holes) mixed with sand and sprinkle them in place.
Make sure you know what each seed needs in the way of heat, light to germinate,
or darkness to germinate.

In the worst case, overseed and lightly turn into the soil with a rake. Enough
seeds will end up where conditions are optimum.


Victoria

On Thu, 01 May 2003 01:37:20 GMT, stever wrote:

What's the best way to start small seed perennial flowers, like
dianthus, delphinium, and columine..etal. The seeds are so small that
I'm fearful the planting them outside will be fruitless...are there
any keys to getting them to germinate and sprout outside or is it
better to start them in containers inside?