True leaves

[stella]

I have little or no problem getting seeds to germinate but true leaves seem to take ages to come through or fail to appear. Can any one explain why?
Thanks

[Aberdeenplotter]

any particular plants and any particular time of year? Also where are you germinating the seeds, inside or out?

[stella]

I am interested in the production of true leaves in principle. For example do the true leaves of cabbage come through quicker than toms or from seeds grown inside quicker than those grown out.
I started of some carnations inside, germination couple of days, 2 weeks later no sign of true leaves. Outside started some wallflower, germination 1 week true leaves after 3weeks no sign. How many days after germination should they come through

[Florence Fennel]

Bit too scientific for me Stella, I can't say I've ever noticed. You could do the experiments and write a paper on it.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Yups good idea and keep us posted with your results so we can compare with our own.

[stella]

I am sure one of you experienced growers must have noticed the difference, I mean some of you manage to grow 'armpits' ;0

[Florence Fennel]

Nope, not a jot Stella and do you know, I still don't know if I've done the right thing with the mum's armpits!

[stella]

How about leek hair hee hee

[Florence Fennel]

I have only one thing to say to you Stella. Sprouts.

[stella]

Anyway back to true leaves. Sowed some raddish and corn salad a week ago outside germination brilliant, not a sign of the true leaves??

[taff]

well, it is sort of the wrong time of year for radish, unless it's winter one, and \i'm not sure when you're supposed to do them...what did you sow them in, and where are they outside? completely protected or in the garden proper and what's the weather been like there?
I sowed some pak choi about a week ago, put them in the greenhouse and they've sprouted but still at baby leaf stage.

[Hilary B]

I once planted some courgette seeds in autumn, they never did produce true leaves (after a couple of months getting ever bigger, but just seed leaves). I think they need the lengthenng days. The ones I started in February grew true leaves in a couple of weeks.
Similar may apply to other species.

[stella]

Corn salad is outside in a sheltered area, I think it is the right time of year to grow it. Carnations on the window sill packet says to sow now, both germinated fine but no true leaves. How quickly do they usually show?