I have my parsnip seeds on damp kitchen roll in a tub in the airing cupboard. Some of them are germinating and I wondered which way up to plant the seed in the compost? Is the white shoot that comes out of the seed the taproot or the leaves? A very foolish question, I am sure, but as I've never managed to get them to germinate before, it's all new to me.
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Good question!
I germinated in the same way and simply popped the seeds onto soil in a tray. I reckoned that if the root was sticking out sideways or upwards they'd sort themselves out once planted. Seems to have worked fine as I've got a full tray of nicely growing parsnips.
In short, chill out and just pop them inCheers
T-lady
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Hot long does it take to germinate parsnips this way? I've got one row already outside (been outside for about 2 weeks and no sign of life yet), but would be interested to try this method on another row for comparison.
StevenLast edited by nerobot; 26-03-2008, 11:12 AM.
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Originally posted by T-lady View PostI germinated in the same way and simply popped the seeds onto soil in a tray. I reckoned that if the root was sticking out sideways or upwards they'd sort themselves out once planted. Seems to have worked fine as I've got a full tray of nicely growing parsnips.Last edited by veg4681; 28-03-2008, 11:36 AM.Food for Free
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I potted my germinated seeds up on 16th Feb into 2" cells and they've already got little roots sticking out the bottom (they're in a cold greenhouse). I think this isn't good because, as a root crop, they're not going to like the disturbance when I plant them out.
Still, that'll teach me to get too keen and I'll have to try and get them into the garden this weekend (I've got a cloche, they'll simply have to harden off under that!)Cheers
T-lady
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Originally posted by T-lady View PostI potted my germinated seeds up on 16th Feb into 2" cells and they've already got little roots sticking out the bottom (they're in a cold greenhouse). I think this isn't good because, as a root crop, they're not going to like the disturbance when I plant them out.
Still, that'll teach me to get too keen and I'll have to try and get them into the garden this weekend (I've got a cloche, they'll simply have to harden off under that!)
It's not root disturbance you have to avoid per se, but restriction of the growth of the tap root.
If you start carrots and parsnips off in any kind of small container - cell, pot, loo roll, rootrainer... whatever, they will not develop properly if the first root gets to the bottom. If this occurs, the plant starts sending out new roots and you end up with fanged, short roots.
If you want to start over again, it's not too late. You have until mid April but allowing for about 10 days for pre-germination.
In practice, I don't know if I'll be able to plant out the tiny parsnips seedlings in the bed as it's still early in the year so will have to think about ways of protecting the vulnerable seedlings from frost and slug. I put 3-4 seeds including ungerminated seeds in each cell to give me more options/back-up later.Food for Free
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