Basil germination

[annie8]

Has anyone got a foolproof way of getting basil seeds to germinate. It grows well once I get going but have struggled the last few years to get germination first time. I sowed a few seeds per pot in MPC with vermiculite on top about 2 weeks ago and put them inside on a home made trough in top of the heater. Not one seed has germinated so far. Can anyone help?

[Scarlet]

What heater? Does it go off at night? And were they fresh seed?
I never have any trouble but I always put mine in a propagator to start off. I just sprinkle mine on the top of damp compost.

[annie8]

It’s on a radiator which goes off. I don’t have a propagater. It’s is fresh seed bought this year.

Works fine for other seeds like chillis and tomatoes. Take it basil likes it warm to germinate? Maybe I need to get some fresh compost? I have seed sowing compost I could use but tend to just use that for things I’m growing in modules.

[fishpond]

I also use a propagator---never had a problem----takes between a week to 14 days to germinate, even some 3 year old seed which I found tucked away.

[annie8]

Am wondering if I should just sow in modules and put insude plastic bags like I do with my other seeds. Felt like the compost was drying out really quickly. As I say don’t normally have a problem with germination.

[fishpond]

Try it, what have you got to lose?

[Scarlet]

Yes, I'd try the plastic bag option. Though having it on a radiator that goes on and off doesn't help - I would say that's the reason for the no shows.

[rambleberry]

I was uncertain of 3yo basil seed I had, so I put some on damp kitchen roll on a yoghurt pot lid, in a plastic zip bag, underneath a daylight bulb for a light source. Several germinated, which I then transplanted into modules. They seem to be growing ok so far.

[annie8]

Yes, I'd try the plastic bag option. Though having it on a radiator that goes on and off doesn't help - I would say that's the reason for the no shows.

Think I might invest in a propagater for next year.

[Scarlet]

Think I might invest in a propagater for next year.

I have several This year I wanted another one with a higher lid for cuttings. £20 from amazon. The lid is flimsy/ no thermostat but it works really well and will be fine for starting off seeds. It's a large one too which is a bonus.

#just checked the price -
It's £25. I'm sure I paid less..Stewart's Esssentials propagator 52cm Electric