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When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Hi
Can anyone tell me the best time and method of sowing Cowslip seeds? Do I put them straight in the ground or pot them to grow on? And when should I do it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jaqy |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
I have had the best results via: sowing in moist not wet soiless mix and
encapsulating in a plastic baggie to prevent moisture evaporation....leaving at room temp. for a couple of weeks and then placing in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks and then returning to room temp. for germination....if you have a good light set-up you can sow now and the transplants will be ready that much sooner..if you send your query to either Thompson & Morgan or Chiltern Seeds they may offer you their "expert" advice............HW. "MC Emily" wrote in message ... Hi Can anyone tell me the best time and method of sowing Cowslip seeds? Do I put them straight in the ground or pot them to grow on? And when should I do it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jaqy |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Can anyone tell me the best time and method of sowing Cowslip seeds?
Do I put them straight in the ground or pot them to grow on? And when should I do it? Like most species of Primula, they are best sown as soon as they are ready to be shed from the parent plant. If already packeted, then I guess substitute 'as soon as possible'. Whilst they can fend for themselves in the open ground (indeed I have them self-sow in the lawn, the pavement, the road, etc.), most people trying to cultivate them less erratically would go for a pot first. If in the UK (as one would expect in this newsgroup), then sow as soon as possible in a pot, cover with a bit of soil, then grit/gravel to keep rain/animals/etc. from disturbing the soil surface, and place outside. They'll come up in the Spring. -- Clarke Brunt |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Oh yikes, I hadn't thought it would be that complicated!! I'm not really a
'fiddly' gardener and this seems awfully 'fiddly' to me. How would they go on if they had just fallen 'in the wild'? Do they not do very well? I'll try the seed companies, too. Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated. Jaqy "Anne Middleton/Harold Walker" wrote I have had the best results via: sowing in moist not wet soiless mix and encapsulating in a plastic baggie to prevent moisture evaporation....leaving at room temp. for a couple of weeks and then placing in the fridge for 3 to 4 weeks and then returning to room temp. for germination....if you have a good light set-up you can sow now and the transplants will be ready that much sooner..if you send your query to either Thompson & Morgan or Chiltern Seeds they may offer you their "expert" advice............HW. |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
"MC Emily" wrote in
: Oh yikes, I hadn't thought it would be that complicated!! I'm not really a 'fiddly' gardener and this seems awfully 'fiddly' to me. How would they go on if they had just fallen 'in the wild'? Do they not do very well? Differences are that: - in the wild the seed is fresh, and appears at the right time for the soaking, chilling, etc to happen automatically. - in the wild you get a lot more seed than just one packet! Most of it dies, gets eaten, etc. But if you buy a packet of seed you expect to get more than one plant out of it. Thus HW's advice: by bagging, chilling, and cultivating in a tray, you make the best of seed that is bound to be a few months old (more germination) and you don't expose any of the seedlings to slugs, snails, etc until they are big enough not to be simply mown down and vanish. If it seems like too much hassle, you'd probably be better off getting some plants instead; they will seed themselves eventually, if the conditions are right, and with luck you will also be able to divide the clumps after a while too. Or you could try buying bags and bags of seed and just sprinkle it: you'll lose a lot, but you should get a few germinating. I also find British native wildflowers very fiddly from (bought) seed, though I've had a lot more luck with stuff that I've just picked straight out of the hedge and bunged into some compost. Victoria |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Don't the seed companies do a lot of the pre-chilling etc. in advance for
you so the inexperienced gardener can just sow the seeds without the fuss? I recently sowed a couple of seed trays of oriental poppies. One tray was from a free packet with GW magazine, and the other tray was from my own seed, straight from the plant. The GW seed germinated within days but my own seed took weeks to get started. |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
"Martin & Anna Sykes" wrote in
: Don't the seed companies do a lot of the pre-chilling etc. in advance for you so the inexperienced gardener can just sow the seeds without the fuss? No idea, sorry. I think usually inexperienced gardeners would be encouraged to go for seeds of things that don't need special treatment. I've certainly seen plenty of seed packets that specify chipping, soaking or chilling, but haven't noticed any that say they are pre-treated - but maybe I just shop in the wrong places! I'm not sure how pre-chilling by the seed company would work - how could they be sure to chill for the right length of time? What about seed sold in garden centres that just sits there on a rack for months? And wouldn't the seeds need to be damp while chilling, not just in a packet? I'd guess the difference with your oriental poppies was more to do with different varieties of the same species - they are certainly easier from seed than things like cowslips, which I find fiddlier (I could be wrong though!). |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Victoria, thanks for your good explanation. Now that I know that, there is
another good reason why I shouldn't just sprinkle them on the ground - my chickens would *love* them!!! So, I will put them in a tray and do it properly - fiddly or not! :o)) Many thanks, Jaqy "Victoria Clare" wrote in message .206... "MC Emily" wrote in : Oh yikes, I hadn't thought it would be that complicated!! I'm not really a 'fiddly' gardener and this seems awfully 'fiddly' to me. How would they go on if they had just fallen 'in the wild'? Do they not do very well? Differences are that: - in the wild the seed is fresh, and appears at the right time for the soaking, chilling, etc to happen automatically. - in the wild you get a lot more seed than just one packet! Most of it dies, gets eaten, etc. But if you buy a packet of seed you expect to get more than one plant out of it. Thus HW's advice: by bagging, chilling, and cultivating in a tray, you make the best of seed that is bound to be a few months old (more germination) and you don't expose any of the seedlings to slugs, snails, etc until they are big enough not to be simply mown down and vanish. If it seems like too much hassle, you'd probably be better off getting some plants instead; they will seed themselves eventually, if the conditions are right, and with luck you will also be able to divide the clumps after a while too. Or you could try buying bags and bags of seed and just sprinkle it: you'll lose a lot, but you should get a few germinating. I also find British native wildflowers very fiddly from (bought) seed, though I've had a lot more luck with stuff that I've just picked straight out of the hedge and bunged into some compost. Victoria |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Hi
These seeds aren't from a seed company, they're straight from the plant so, like yours, will probably take a while. I'll have to be patient! Jaqy "Martin & Anna Sykes" wrote in message ... Don't the seed companies do a lot of the pre-chilling etc. in advance for you so the inexperienced gardener can just sow the seeds without the fuss? I recently sowed a couple of seed trays of oriental poppies. One tray was from a free packet with GW magazine, and the other tray was from my own seed, straight from the plant. The GW seed germinated within days but my own seed took weeks to get started. |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
The message
from "MC Emily" contains these words: Hi These seeds aren't from a seed company, they're straight from the plant so, like yours, will probably take a while. I'll have to be patient! Jaqy However, I would say that if you sow in a tray or pot and put it outside in a sheltered position or under a sheet of glass, the seeds stand a good chance of germinating in the spring. Fluctuating temperatures, including some frost, will break dormancy. It's simply not as certain: more chance of rodents, acts of god etc. If you've got loads of seed you could try both methods and compare results. Janet G |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Victoria Clare wrote:
I also find British native wildflowers very fiddly from (bought) seed, though I've had a lot more luck with stuff that I've just picked straight out of the hedge and bunged into some compost. But don't forget that this is illegal without the permission of the landowner. And anyway, there's few enough wildflowers in the wild, why remove them? |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
To pull all the points together here, if I sow the seeds in compost in a
tray, cover it with glass and put it somewhere where it will get very low temperatures but be protected from being eaten, am I on the right track? How low does the temperature have to get? I have a shed with a south facing window it could go in but I have to have a frost beater on at night because my washing machine and dryer are in there (we're in the middle of renovating our house). Would that be OK for the seeds or would it be too warm? And what about watering? Do I lightly water to start with and the moisture will be retained because of the glass? Blimey, I'm sounding veeeery amateurish here, aren't I? Jaqy |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
In article , bigboard
writes Victoria Clare wrote: I also find British native wildflowers very fiddly from (bought) seed, though I've had a lot more luck with stuff that I've just picked straight out of the hedge and bunged into some compost. But don't forget that this is illegal without the permission of the landowner. And anyway, there's few enough wildflowers in the wild, why remove them? I think she meant she was taking the seed, not the plant! -- Kay Easton Edward's earthworm page: http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/garden/ |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
In article , bigboard
writes Victoria Clare wrote: I also find British native wildflowers very fiddly from (bought) seed, though I've had a lot more luck with stuff that I've just picked straight out of the hedge and bunged into some compost. But don't forget that this is illegal without the permission of the landowner. And anyway, there's few enough wildflowers in the wild, why remove them? A 'Tree Hugging' 'Net Nanny' WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've seen the lot now!!!!!! Mike. Who doesn't really like Tree Huggers OR Net Nannies, but has found BOTH IN ONE GO :-(((((((((((( -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H.M.S.Collingwood Association reunion. Chatham May 30th - June 2nd River Class Assn Dinner Leamington Spa Sept 20th 2003. Castle Class Corvettes Assn. Reunion October 2003 Isle of Wight. National Service (RAF) Association reunion. Nov 2003 Scarborough. |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
I think taking seed is also illegal but who's to say she doesn't own the
hedge from where they came?! :o)) Jaqy "Kay Easton" wrote in message ... In article , bigboard writes Victoria Clare wrote: I also find British native wildflowers very fiddly from (bought) seed, though I've had a lot more luck with stuff that I've just picked straight out of the hedge and bunged into some compost. But don't forget that this is illegal without the permission of the landowner. And anyway, there's few enough wildflowers in the wild, why remove them? I think she meant she was taking the seed, not the plant! -- Kay Easton Edward's earthworm page: http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/garden/ |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Mike wrote:
In article , bigboard writes Victoria Clare wrote: I also find British native wildflowers very fiddly from (bought) seed, though I've had a lot more luck with stuff that I've just picked straight out of the hedge and bunged into some compost. But don't forget that this is illegal without the permission of the landowner. And anyway, there's few enough wildflowers in the wild, why remove them? A 'Tree Hugging' 'Net Nanny' WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've seen the lot now!!!!!! Mike. Who doesn't really like Tree Huggers OR Net Nannies, but has found BOTH IN ONE GO :-(((((((((((( Hello sailor, I think you're '!' key is stuck. |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
MC Emily wrote:
I think taking seed is also illegal but who's to say she doesn't own the hedge from where they came?! :o)) But has she asked herself permission? :) |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
"bigboard" wrote
I think taking seed is also illegal but who's to say she doesn't own the hedge from where they came?! :o)) But has she asked herself permission? :) Now that would involve a woman admitting to being two-faced in order that one may speak to the other ;o))) Jaqy |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
In article , bigboard
writes Mike wrote: In article , bigboard writes Victoria Clare wrote: I also find British native wildflowers very fiddly from (bought) seed, though I've had a lot more luck with stuff that I've just picked straight out of the hedge and bunged into some compost. But don't forget that this is illegal without the permission of the landowner. And anyway, there's few enough wildflowers in the wild, why remove them? A 'Tree Hugging' 'Net Nanny' WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've seen the lot now!!!!!! Mike. Who doesn't really like Tree Huggers OR Net Nannies, but has found BOTH IN ONE GO :-(((((((((((( Hello sailor, I think you're '!' key is stuck. No. Look ! 1 OK and to prove a point 2 !! You have a problem? Possibly in concept? Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H.M.S.Collingwood Association reunion. Chatham May 30th - June 2nd River Class Assn Dinner Leamington Spa Sept 20th 2003. Castle Class Corvettes Assn. Reunion October 2003 Isle of Wight. National Service (RAF) Association reunion. Nov 2003 Scarborough. |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
In article ,
Mike wrote: In article , bigboard writes Mike wrote: A 'Tree Hugging' 'Net Nanny' WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've seen the lot now!!!!!! Who doesn't really like Tree Huggers OR Net Nannies, but has found BOTH IN ONE GO :-(((((((((((( Hello sailor, I think you're '!' key is stuck. No. Look ! 1 OK and to prove a point 2 !! You have a problem? Possibly in concept? No, but you do. Your finger and mind both appear to be stuck. I recommend extracting the former and opening the latter. The obscene Countryside Act may be the most abominable act of land reiving since the Enclosures Acts, and does most definitely not do anything useful to protect the environment. It was designed solely to remove more rights from the public and give them to the so-called landowners, under the guise of claiming to protect the environment, while ensuring that it does nothing to protect the environment against those most active in destroying it. But that is not the point. "jon at bigboard" made a perfectly reasonable posting, even if he has been fooled by government propaganda. It did not justify your reponse. Regards, Nick Maclaren, University of Cambridge Computing Service, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, England. Email: Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679 |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
The message
from "MC Emily" contains these words: To pull all the points together here, if I sow the seeds in compost in a tray, cover it with glass and put it somewhere where it will get very low temperatures but be protected from being eaten, am I on the right track? How low does the temperature have to get? I have a shed with a south facing window it could go in but I have to have a frost beater on at night because my washing machine and dryer are in there (we're in the middle of renovating our house). Would that be OK for the seeds or would it be too warm? Outside would be better. Mice could get into the shed, so you haven't gained anything over outside - and you have lost the beneficial action of the frost. And what about watering? Do I lightly water to start with and the moisture will be retained because of the glass? Yes, exactly so. Check in spring when the temperatures rise, but they'll be fine through the winter. Blimey, I'm sounding veeeery amateurish here, aren't I? Not at all. Don't worry! Janet G |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
On Thu, 5 Dec 2002 14:25:06 -0000, "MC Emily"
wrote: To pull all the points together here, if I sow the seeds in compost in a tray, cover it with glass and put it somewhere where it will get very low temperatures but be protected from being eaten, am I on the right track? How low does the temperature have to get? I have a shed with a south facing window it could go in but I have to have a frost beater on at night because my washing machine and dryer are in there (we're in the middle of renovating our house). Would that be OK for the seeds or would it be too warm? And what about watering? Do I lightly water to start with and the moisture will be retained because of the glass? Blimey, I'm sounding veeeery amateurish here, aren't I? Not amateurish, just someone at the start of a serious gardening avocation. There's lots to learn, and a large proportion of it has to be learned in the hardest way imaginable, by making mistakes that kill the plants. It's very humbling, when you stop and think about it. One recommendation: do *not* keep the labels of plants that have died! Turning to your specific situation, if you think that sowing seed of hardy plants (not necessarily cowslips) might become a regular event in your life, then maybe it's time to cobble together a coldframe. Use an old window sash as the cover and cheap lumber for the sides. Site it where it gets good light but not a lot of direct sun, esp. in summer -- you don't want you plants to bake. A coldframe is the perfect place to germinate things like cowslips that do best with winter chilling. The single most important thing about coldframe design (imho, of course) is the front-to-back depth. Be sure that when you are kneeling in front of the thing you can *easily* reach a plant at the back and lift it out. A coldframe suitable for someone tall and strong man will be deeper, front to back, than one for someone short and weak. There is something to be said for a two-fronted design, btw. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
bigboard wrote in
: Victoria Clare wrote: I also find British native wildflowers very fiddly from (bought) seed, though I've had a lot more luck with stuff that I've just picked straight out of the hedge and bunged into some compost. But don't forget that this is illegal without the permission of the landowner. And anyway, there's few enough wildflowers in the wild, why remove them? My garden is surrounded by traditional cornish hedges, and being very sloping, is also crossed by low stone wall/hedges. If I find something nice when I am trimming them, I sometimes propagate it, and I've also collected seed from friends' gardens. I don't think that collecting some seed from free-fruiting plants in other hedges would do any real harm, given the vast wastage rate of wild distributed flower seeds, but I haven't actually done that myself (yet). Victoria Clare |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Victoria Clare wrote:
My garden is surrounded by traditional cornish hedges, and being very sloping, is also crossed by low stone wall/hedges. If I find something nice when I am trimming them, I sometimes propagate it, and I've also collected seed from friends' gardens. That seems fair enough. I don't think that collecting some seed from free-fruiting plants in other hedges would do any real harm, given the vast wastage rate of wild distributed flower seeds, but I haven't actually done that myself (yet). I completely agree about the seeds. If you can germinate them, then go for it! |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
"Janet Galpin and Oliver Patterson" wrote
Outside would be better. Mice could get into the shed, so you haven't gained anything over outside - and you have lost the beneficial action of the frost. True. Blimey, I'm sounding veeeery amateurish here, aren't I? Not at all. Don't worry! Thank you :o)) Jaqy |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
"Rodger Whitlock" wrote
Blimey, I'm sounding veeeery amateurish here, aren't I? Not amateurish, just someone at the start of a serious gardening avocation. There's lots to learn, and a large proportion of it has to be learned in the hardest way imaginable, by making mistakes that kill the plants. It's very humbling, when you stop and think about it. Gosh, I'm sure I can handle this emotional turmoil!! ;o)) One recommendation: do *not* keep the labels of plants that have died! LOL!!!! Turning to your specific situation, if you think that sowing seed of hardy plants (not necessarily cowslips) might become a regular event in your life, then maybe it's time to cobble together a coldframe. OK, I'm interested in doing this but can I use clear perspex rather than glass, for safety's sake? I have to admit to not liking glass at all, after having an accident some years ago with a glass tumbler. I even have my wine out of a perspex 'glass' now!! Thanks, Jaqy |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
In article , "MC Emily" writes: | "Rodger Whitlock" wrote | | Turning to your specific situation, if you think that sowing seed | of hardy plants (not necessarily cowslips) might become a regular | event in your life, then maybe it's time to cobble together a | coldframe. | | OK, I'm interested in doing this but can I use clear perspex rather than | glass, for safety's sake? I have to admit to not liking glass at all, after | having an accident some years ago with a glass tumbler. I even have my wine | out of a perspex 'glass' now!! It's not ideal, because of the transmission properties. The ideal solution is to use safety glass. But you can use any reasonable translucent (not necessarily clear) material. Regards, Nick Maclaren, University of Cambridge Computing Service, New Museums Site, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QH, England. Email: Tel.: +44 1223 334761 Fax: +44 1223 334679 |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
In article , MC Emily
writes Turning to your specific situation, if you think that sowing seed of hardy plants (not necessarily cowslips) might become a regular event in your life, then maybe it's time to cobble together a coldframe. OK, I'm interested in doing this but can I use clear perspex rather than glass, for safety's sake? I have to admit to not liking glass at all, after having an accident some years ago with a glass tumbler. I even have my wine out of a perspex 'glass' now!! yes you can. I use plastic bags. -- Kay Easton Edward's earthworm page: http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/garden/ |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
"MC Emily" wrote in message ... OK, I'm interested in doing this but can I use clear perspex rather than glass, for safety's sake? I have to admit to not liking glass at all, after having an accident some years ago with a glass tumbler. I even have my wine out of a perspex 'glass' now!! Heathen!(:-) Alan -- Reply to alan(at)windsor-berks(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
"Nick Maclaren" wrote
| OK, I'm interested in doing this but can I use clear perspex rather than | glass, for safety's sake? I have to admit to not liking glass at all, after | having an accident some years ago with a glass tumbler. I even have my wine | out of a perspex 'glass' now!! It's not ideal, because of the transmission properties. The ideal solution is to use safety glass. But you can use any reasonable translucent (not necessarily clear) material. Thanks :o) Jaqy |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
"Kay Easton" wrote
OK, I'm interested in doing this but can I use clear perspex rather than glass, for safety's sake? I have to admit to not liking glass at all, after having an accident some years ago with a glass tumbler. I even have my wine out of a perspex 'glass' now!! yes you can. I use plastic bags. Great, thanks :o) Jaqy |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
On Fri, 6 Dec 2002 16:59:55 -0000, "MC Emily"
wrote: "Rodger Whitlock" wrote Turning to your specific situation, if you think that sowing seed of hardy plants (not necessarily cowslips) might become a regular event in your life, then maybe it's time to cobble together a coldframe. OK, I'm interested in doing this but can I use clear perspex rather than glass, for safety's sake? I have to admit to not liking glass at all, after having an accident some years ago with a glass tumbler. I even have my wine out of a perspex 'glass' now!! Any transparent polymer will do. For that matter, a simple wooden frame with polythene sheet stretched over it will do quite nicely as a coldframe cover. There are technical reasons for glass having a slight edge in this use -- better light transmission, won't yellow or go cloudy or turn brittle[1] with age, won't get all scratched up, perhaps a little easier to keep clean -- but these are not important enough to preclude the use of a plastic. A few other tips on coldframe construction: 1. If you can put it on a concrete surface, so much the better. Helps keep worms from getting into the pots and provides fewer hiding places for creepy-crawlies. 2. Make sure the frame and its cover are well tied down so they don't blow away in a winter gale. I've had a coldframe cover 4.5' square blown off in a gale -- and it was glazed with glass, but fortunately it landed in a fuchsia that cushioned the landing, so there was no breakage. Big heavy thing, but whoosh! there it went in a powerful gust. 3. Don't make the frame any deeper than absolutely necessary. 4. If possible make some provision for hosing off the surface it stands on, at least once a year. Potted plants give off a lot of silt in the water that drains through them, and this can, over time, build up to a thick layer of mud. [1] Though old glass seems to be more brittle than new glass. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
Xref: 127.0.0.1 uk.rec.gardening:163155
"Alan Holmes" wrote I even have my wine out of a perspex 'glass' now!! Heathen!(:-) Alan Hee-hee! :o)) Jaqy |
When to sow Cowslip seeds?
"Rodger Whitlock" wrote
snip, some wonderful tips [1] Though old glass seems to be more brittle than new glass. Tell me. My husband has just put a dog kennel through a touring caravan toilet window!!! The caravan is a 1976 and he really did just 'brush' the window with the kennel as he was moving it and, 'crack', the whole thing's gone :o(( Good job it's under the barn otherwise, in this weather, it'll soon be flooded!!! Jaqy |
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