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How to grow your flower seeds
Become a expert on growing your own seeds
Storage tip: Store your seeds in a cool, dark room unless noted in the descriptions below.
Some of these seeds require a period of cold stratification or exposure to cold temperatures crucial to succesful germination.
You grow girl! Pro tips to boost your growing success
These are some solid starting points for best growing practices, especially for seed starting. By following these best practices, you'll significantly increase your success rate in starting seeds and growing healthy seedlings. Here's a breakdown of best practices: * Specialized Growing Medium: Seed starting mixes are designed for optimal drainage, aeration, and moisture retention, unlike regular potting soil or garden soil. They are also sterile, reducing the risk of soil-borne diseases. * Sanitation: Absolutely crucial. This prevents the spread of diseases and pests that can decimate seedlings. Using a 10% bleach solution or a commercial disinfectant is recommended for tools and containers. * Drainage: Waterlogged soil leads to root rot and seedling death. Ensure all containers have drainage holes. * Pre-Moistening: Watering after seeding can displace seeds, especially small ones. Moistening the medium beforehand ensures even moisture distribution. * Seed Depth and Contact: Correct seed depth is vital for germination. Too shallow, and they might dry out; too deep, and they might not reach the surface. Firm contact ensures the seed can absorb moisture. * Consistent Moisture: Keep the medium consistently moist but not soggy. A spray bottle or mister is ideal for small seeds to avoid disturbing them. * Soil and Air Temperature: Seeds have optimal germination temperature ranges for germination and growing on. * Air Circulation: Good airflow helps prevent fungal diseases. A small fan can improve circulation, especially in enclosed spaces like greenhouses or under domes. * Fertilization (after germination): Seed starting mixes typically don't contain much nutrition. Once seedlings have a few sets of true leaves, start feeding them with a diluted liquid fertilizer formulated for seedlings. * Pest and Disease Monitoring: Regularly inspect your seedlings for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection is key to preventing problems from spreading.
PERENNIAL in Zones 9-10 DAYS TO GERMINATION 8-14 days at 68-72°F SOWING Sow in seedling trays 5-7 weeks before planting out. Cover seed lightly. Light is needed for germination. Bottom water or mist to avoid covering seed. Direct seed - Cover seeds very lightly. Pinching not required. LIGHT Full Sun PLANT HEIGHT Varies. HARDINESS ZONES Zones 9-10. SOIL REQUIREMENTS Average, well-drained soil. Tolerates poor soil. Heat and drought tolerant NOTES Rudbeckia requires long days to initiate flowering. Deadheading increases blooms during the summer. Directly sown seeds need a light cover for protection. Will reseed with protection (such as leaf mulch) in zone 6b.
PERENNIAL DAYS TO GERMINATION 10-14 days SOWING You can plant aster seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost 1/8” deep in a small pot or directly outdoors in the spring. Spread the seeds on moist soil and lightly cover with vermiculite. LIGHT Full sun PLANT HEIGHT 36-60” HARDINESS ZONES 4-8 SOIL REQUIREMENTS Well drained, acidic, loamy soil NOTES Needs cold stratification. Stratify the seeds at a temperature of 34–40°F for 30–40 days. Does not like soggy soil. Can plant in clay soil amended with compost. Directly sown seeds need a light cover for protection. Reseeds with cover in 6b.
ANNUAL DAYS TO GERMINATION 7-14 days. Needs light for germination. SOWING Sow 1/8" deep in trays 6-8 weeks before last frost. Needs a long growing season for direct sowing. Cover seeds very lightly. LIGHT Full sun PLANT HEIGHT 18-48” variety dependent HARDINESS ZONES Celosia can be grown as an annual in hardiness zones 2–11, or as a tender perennial in zones 10–11, though with cover, mine comes back in 6b. SOIL REQUIREMENTS High organic matter, moist well draining soil. NOTES Need temps 70-80F to germinate. Low temperatures and less than 12 hours of light can cause premature flowering. Pinching is recommended. Directly sown seeds need a light cover for protection. Reseeds with cover in 6b.
ANNUAL DAYS TO GERMINATION 7-10 days at 70-80F SOWING Sow 6-8 weeks before last frost in trays. Do not cover seed as light aids germination. LIGHT Full sun. Tolerant of light shade in hot climates. PLANT HEIGHT 18-30 inches tall HARDINESS ZONES 4-9. SOIL REQUIREMENTS Fertile, well draining soil. Prefers pH of 5.0-6.0 NOTES No pinching or support is needed. Direct seeding not recommended. Reseeds with cover in 6b.
PERENNIAL DAYS TO GERMINATION 10-21 days SOWING Sow echinacea seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before planting them outside in the spring or direct sow them outdoors in late summer or early fall. Sow in groups of 3-4 seeds lightly covering them with 1/8” of soil, and ensuring the soil remains moist until germination. LIGHT Full sun PLANT HEIGHT 20-36” variety dependent HARDINESS ZONES 3-10 SOIL REQUIREMENTS Average, well drained soil NOTES Needs at least 30 days of cold stratification. Echinacea seeds require a cold period to germinate, so fall planting is often best, allowing winter temperatures to naturally stratify the seeds. Directly sown seeds need a light cover for protection. Will reseeds with cover in 6b.
ANNUAL DAYS TO GERMINATION 7-10 days SOWING Sow in trays 5-7 weeks at 68-72F before planting out, covering seeds lightly or direct seed after your last frost when the soil temperature is above 60F. LIGHT Full sun PLANT HEIGHT 36”-48” HARDINESS ZONES Summer annual SOIL REQUIREMENTS Any soil NOTES Pinching recommended. Needs warm soil and air temps to germinate. Directly sown seeds need a light cover for protection.
PERENNIAL See NOTES section before preceding. DAYS TO GERMINATION 14-21 days at 65-75F. To encourage germination, soak seeds overnight or scarify seeds. SOWING Sow 4-8 weeks prior to planting out. The hard seeds benefit from scarification or soaking in water overnight for adequate germination. Can tolerate a light frost. Deep trays or cells encourage long tap roots. Thin to one plant per cell, or direct seed in early to late spring. LIGHT Full sun/part shade PLANT HEIGHT 24-40” HARDINESS ZONES 4-8 SOIL REQUIREMENTS Moist, well draining. Prefers slightly acidic soil. NOTES ALL parts of this plant and seed are poisonous. Exercise extreme caution around children and pets. The purchaser assumes all liability relating to the use of this product. Require 6-8 weeks of cold stratification. 150 - 190 days to maturity. Lupine seedlings and roots need space to grow and expand and once restricted will produce inferior plants and flowers. Directly sown seeds need a light cover for protection.
PERENNIAL DAYS TO GERMINATION 7-14 days at 65-70F. Days to maturity 50-60 days. SOWING Direct seeding is recommended. Sow 1/4- 1/2" deep, 1/4- 1/2" apart in the spring after your last frost. Can thin to one plant 4-6” apart if you want larger plants. LIGHT Full sun PLANT HEIGHT 36” + HARDINESS ZONES 7-10, though mine comes back here in 6b every year with cover. SOIL REQUIREMENTS Very well drained soil NOTES Directly sown seeds need a light cover for protection.
Poppies (Papaver somniferum)
DAYS TO GERMINATION 10-14 days SOWING You can plant aster seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost 1/8” deep in a small pot or directly outdoors in the spring. Spread the seeds on moist soil and lightly cover with vermiculite. LIGHT Full sun PLANT HEIGHT 36-60” HARDINESS ZONES 4-8 SOIL REQUIREMENTS Well drained, acidic, loamy soil NOTES Does not like soggy soil. Can plant in clay soil amended with compost. Directly sown seeds need a light cover for protection. Reseeds with cover in 6b.