Seeds

Today I planted some Calceolaria seeds. The instructions say to surface sow but not in light and to keep moist. The seeds are tiny, even when they are pelleted.


Saved Hellebore seeds.

Earlier this year I was upset when the excessive rain took its toll on my hellebore plant by drowning and killing it but I did manage to get some seeds from it. What I didn't know and I found out by doing an Internet search about starting these seeds is that I should of planted them immediately. The seeds are still viable if you don't but they get much harder to germinate. In fact, it could take 3 YEARS to germinate according to more then a few web sources. The seeds need a warm and damp, then a cold and damp, then a warm and damp treatment to get them to germinate after you harvest seeds. Wait too long to plant them after harvest and the seed produces protections that prevent it from germinating.

Well I don't have the patience to wait 3 years for germination so I am hoping it is not too late. I am soaking the seed first in hot water for 24 hours, then I will plant them in seed mix in a warm spot for a couple weeks and then I will put them in the fridge. It's my hope this will fool the seeds into sprouting this winter!

Under the lights there are now 10 catnip seedlings that have sprouted and 8 peppermint seedlings.