germinating seed in blowaway

[idiotwind]

I don't have space inside so I've invested in a cheap PVC blow away.
I've got some cherry tomato plugs doing well in there. It gets nicely warm during the day and at night, despite a recent mild frost, it is clearly insulated enough to protect my toms.

The problem is that nothing seems to be germinating in it.
About 11 days ago I planted various squash, sweetcorn, tomato and globe artichoke seeds. I have kept them slightly moist but not damp. Today I unearthed a few squash seeds and they are unchanged from planting, no signs of growth and not obviously rotten. Given the range of seeds from different suppliers I'm reluctant to blame the seeds.
Have I planted too early? Is it worth waiting a bit long or will I need to resow when (if) the weather is better.
thanks,
ed

[Cadalot]

I'm having similar problems this year, usually I have a blow-a-way in the greenhouse but this year I'm doing the greenhouse kitchen / Day and Night shuffle and still not having as good results as previous years. I have even invested in a different bag of seedling compost.

[vixylix]

I had no problems with germination earlier in the year but the 'warmer' (later) it gets the less they seem to want to do!

11 days isn't too long though... its still getting cold at night. If they've not rotted they're likely to get there eventually!

[Muddy_Boots]

Just went to the greenhouse to light the paraffin heater and check the progress or none progress of my seedlings. The brassicas have just popped out, got PSB, greyhound cabbage, and caulis all have emerged today so it looks like things are starting to move at last. Just need to get the next cold spell over with and I think then everything will begin to emerge with vengeance.

[Zelenina]

It's most probably due to the temperature, idiotwind. Different kinds of veggies germinate best at different temperatures.

There are also some differences between varieties of the same veg, but in general traditional European veggies should germinate fine outdoors or in a blowaway at this time of year, depending on exactly where you're located and what the weather is like there. Things like brassicas (including turnips, swedes & radishes), beets & chard, carrots, parsnips, lettuce, peas & broad beans

But veggies that originated in hotter countries need higher temperatures to germinate. Generally between 18 to 25 Celsius, and fairly steady. After germination they might then be able to tolerate cooler conditions, but not frost. These include Peppers, tomatoes, aubergines, squash, melons, corn, runner & French beans. Most people in the UK germinate them in a warm place indoors, or in an electric propagator or on a heating mat if they don't have a warm place. Your blowaway won't be consistently warm enough for them yet.

[MarkPelican]

Hard to germinate seeds (like tomatoes, peppers alpine strawberries) I germinate above the boiler in the kitchen then, as soon as they've germinated get them outside into the greenhouse/blow-away. A few days I move them in and out to "harden them off a bit" then leave them permanently out in the greenhouse.

The only exception is tomatoes, the problem I find with leaving them out overnight is that although they don't die if the temperature is low, they do struggle when the temperature is below about 8C and it lasts throughout their life.

Last year I experimented by leaving some out (from April onwards) and giving some a little more TLC. The ones that came in and out did seem to do better (stronger, greener plants). However, the crop on each wasn't noticeably different.

[Bigmallly]

This thread maybe worth browsing over:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...res_15025.html

[Bigmallly]

Also this is a good guide to optimum germination temperatures:

Temperature effect on vegetable seeds - percentage germination

[idiotwind]

Well today the first sign of life - one courgette is up. Hopefully more will follow!

[idiotwind]

Other than one courgette nothing was happening. Saw an electric propogator on sale at wilkos and within 2 days in that almost everything was up. Things were looking a little leggy today so back into the blowaway but hopefully the kickstart has set them going

[Scarlet]

personally I wouldn't leave a young courgette seedling in a blowawy overnight at the moment. I think it's much too cold. I would do the nightly trip and bring them in overnight. If you don't want to do that it is worth waiting a few more weeks. I haven't sown any courgette seeds yet.

[idiotwind]

The toms are doing OK in there so far. I haven't really got space inside so am tempted to see what happens and if they don't make it I can resow in a few weeks. Enthusiasm gets the better of me!

[Scarlet]

Toms don't tend to die off in the cold as easily as courgettes and plastic grow houses don't give much protection. Though I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Where abouts are you? Could you put your location in your profile? Nearest large town will be fine, it helps others give advice

[idiotwind]

Near St. Albans, have updated profile.
Thanks!
Ed

[1Bee]

If cucumbers are surviving in a grow house will courgettes be OK there?