Tithonia from seed

[mcdood]

Tried them last year and failed and looks to be failing again this year, same packet of seeds. They're in a heated propagator and used the same method as normal for HHAs. Wondering if I have a duff batch of seeds or whether I need more heat or what?. They've been in for 14 days now and germination is supposed to be 7-21 so I'll leave them in there but I'm not hopeful. Anyone got any experience and advice please?

[quanglewangle]

Tried them last year and failed and looks to be failing again this year, same packet of seeds. They're in a heated propagator and used the same method as normal for HHAs. Wondering if I have a duff batch of seeds or whether I need more heat or what?. They've been in for 14 days now and germination is supposed to be 7-21 so I'll leave them in there but I'm not hopeful. Anyone got any experience and advice please?

Mine germinated last year and I planted them out, and then they died. So a bit further, but not successful.

[mcdood]

lol, you gave me hope then took it away

[Guest]

I have no idea about in a prop but mine have always been fine sown in the greenhouse around early april. I noticed this morning I have bells of ireland germinating outside - not sure how beneficial it is forcing some seeds at the moment.

[mothhawk]

Tithonia is one of those plants whose seeds need light to germinate, so if you've covered the seeds they won't grow. Also if they are not getting much daylight they will be slower to start.

[mcdood]

They only have a very slight covering and are on a windowsill so will have light. I'll try the remainder of the packet in April as NG suggests. I also have another packet from a different supplier will maybe give those a go instead.

[mothhawk]

Even a slight covering is enough to stop them growing. Just press the seeds gently onto damp compost and then seal the pot or tray in a poly bag/under cling film/piece of glass to prevent the soil surface drying out. If you must sprinkle something over them use vermiculite, which will let more light through than fine compost and reflect light back onto the seeds too.

[mcdood]

Yes it is a light sprinkling of vermiculite over the top but if they do better with nothing at all then I'll try that route.

[Scarlet]

Duff batch I say. I started some recently and they came up quite quickly in the prop - they are now weathering it out in the greenhouse. I did cover them but didn't sow them very deep. But to save space in the prop I showed them in a pot and pricked out and repotted as soon as they popped.
# I only used MPC