Winter sowing

Deb118 · Post by **Deb118** » Oct 24, 2003 9:04 am

Has anyone done this? If so, how? I am thinking of trying it this year

gardenkat · Post by **gardenkat** » Oct 24, 2003 9:17 am

Yes, I did it last year. One thing I learned is to go with better potting soil this year. I bought several different kinds last year and the cheap stuff got all hard and crusty, the seeds planted in it didn't grow. But I had success with several other things planted in better soil. The other really important thing is to remember to label the containers! I did a few on a day I was really rushed and thought "I'll label them later" and of course, by "later" I forgot what I had planted.

But I'm looking forward to WSing again this year.

Mary Ann · Post by **Mary Ann** » Oct 25, 2003 2:31 am

Good point, Gardenkat. Never go with those bargain brand potting soils. I bought a bunch of it a couple years ago and wound up using it for fill, it was so dense. Now I choose soilless pro blends or seed starter mix.

whis4ey · Post by **whis4ey** » Oct 25, 2003 5:58 am

Whatcha gonna grow Debs?
I might wanna copy you

Deb118 · Post by **Deb118** » Oct 25, 2003 8:55 am

Anything I can Sam. DH is wanting to get my green house up this fall. Might as well put it to use

HeatherMac · Post by **HeatherMac** » Oct 26, 2003 9:59 am

Hi Deb,
A few tips ..don't waste your money on peat pots...to start my seeds I use the plastic boxes that berries come in . A square of wet newspaper in the bottom keeps the soil from falling out...I find using plastic cuts down on mold..also a thin layer of pearlite and a sprinkle of cinnamon prevents damping off.
I've been growing from seed in the greenhouse for years, if you have any questions I'd be glad to answer...
macgarden@sympatico.ca
Heather

bsmcwilliams · Post by **bsmcwilliams** » Oct 26, 2003 8:50 pm

Cinnamon will work for antifungal? I think that would be better than smelly dangerous chemicals for sure.

Indiana Gardener · Post by **Indiana Gardener** » Feb 03, 2004 11:12 am

Hi all!

Been a while since I've posted here, been busy lately. Just wanted to drop a note that Heather is right.
I use cinnamon on my hybrid Sarracenia seeds I make to prevent damping off. It works great. If anyone knows how wet Sarracenia require their medium to be and how prone they are to damping off, that's a true testament to how well it works.
Bye for now,

GiniaC · Post by **GiniaC** » Mar 26, 2004 11:37 pm

So you just sprinkle the cinnamonon top of te soil after planting the seeds? Interesting indeed!
This is my first year trying the winter sow thing and so far with good results. I just checked today and many of the flats are sprouting. I've got poppies, golden alyssum, babies breath, and a few others popping.

BARB · Post by **BARB** » Mar 29, 2004 1:49 pm

I was looking for somewhere to start a winter sowing thread, and Ginny you found it.......good! I have sproutage now, and I found a few mistakes I made, forgot to cut drainage holes in 2 containers....don't know how that will go. Ginny, I am growing your teeny tiny carnations, somewhere, I found the tag for marking them out in the yard.....cats? Also made the mistake on the soil, used top soil not seed starting, still up for grabls on that one....we shall see.

All in all, pretty succesful and I think I will do it again next winter......thanks Nikkal for all the info on it.......

GiniaC · Post by **GiniaC** » Mar 29, 2004 4:47 pm

Barb, I have no idea what there called. They're some kind of dianthus but when I did a search I couldn't find them anywhere. I got the plant in a local nursery. Are they sprouting for you? I didn't even winter sow any of them, I just sprinkled the seed in one of my beds in the fall. I hope I get a few more of them, they're pretty looking.

BARB · Post by **BARB** » Mar 29, 2004 4:54 pm

Ginny,not sure if they are or not....have about 20 different ws containers on the deck, all have markers in them. However, I found the marker for the carnation out in the yard, no idea what box it came out of

GiniaC · Post by **GiniaC** » Apr 05, 2004 7:29 pm

I NEED HELP! A few of winter sown containers have sprouted, but, the sprouts look almost white instead of green in color. What's going on? Not enough sun?

Nikkal · Post by **Nikkal** » Apr 05, 2004 10:45 pm

Ginny, have you opened up the slits or holes in the covers? They may be getting a little sunburned. Even though it may still seem cool outside, the sun shining through the plastic covers can get quite warm. Open up the ventilation holes some, and if they're in direct sun all day, try moving them to an area with pm shade.

Nik

GiniaC · Post by **GiniaC** » Apr 06, 2004 10:16 am

Nikkal, I opened up the slits in the plastic already, but our temps went down drastically the last couple of days. I'm afraid to open them too much. We're in the twenties at night. I'll try what you said and see if there's any change. Thanks!

michael_QvQ · Post by **michael_QvQ** » Apr 27, 2004 8:49 am

Winter sowing worked for so many seeds... iris, hems, grasses, lilacs, lilies, sedums, hosta...! I will sow more next winter without a doubt!
How about yours?... Deb?

Deb118 · Post by **Deb118** » Apr 27, 2004 11:10 am

Are those pop bottles Michael? My attempt didnt do diddly SQUAT!

I did mine in plastic pans in baggies. Maybe I'll try it in the bottles next year. Or not

michael_QvQ · Post by **michael_QvQ** » Apr 28, 2004 8:46 pm

Sorry it did not work out for you Deb

...

Yes, I recycled .5 litre water and 2 liter pop bottles.
I really enjoyed the whole wintersow experience and the early results are extremely encouraging...

Denise_in_MI · Post by **Denise_in_MI** » Apr 28, 2004 9:20 pm

mkay, I am needing a lesson here. How do you do that? When do you start? Which exposure do they have?

Soummer · Post by **Soummer** » Apr 28, 2004 10:49 pm

Yes, please do tell, in detail!