Pigletwillies Banana Shallot Seed update

[pigletwillie]

I now know why the germination is poor. Its not the seeds fault but mine, when I harvested the seed heads they were all taken at the same time and some were not as ripe as others. As I am impatient I put the ripest two seed heads in a paper bag and saved it for myself, hence my cracking germination rate. The other seed heads were left to dry and once winnowed were put into an envelope all together. And there be the problem, some of the seed wasnt mature enough whilst some was. The mature seed is germinating and producing good plants, the immature seed is dead in the water.

Lesson learnt. When you save your seed next year, ensure that it is really ripe before harvesting it.

The main thing is though, we are getting good healthy plants from the ripe seed which is good.

[Peter]

Better late than never.

Just sowed mine.

Any tips for me anyone?

[sewer rat]

My Humberstone Banana Shallots have just started to germinate - took them a while but seem to doing okay, given what PW has said about expected germination rates.

[Alice]

Thanks for that information Piglet. I was beginning to doubt myself. But as you say, the plants which do germinate don't lack vigour and grow on great. I've more confidence to sow the rest now, and be grateful for what I get. Thanks again, and I'll remeber when it comes to harvesting my own seed.

[muckdiva]

I now know why the germination is poor. Its not the seeds fault but mine, when I harvested the seed heads they were all taken at the same time and some were not as ripe as others. As I am impatient I put the ripest two seed heads in a paper bag and saved it for myself, hence my cracking germination rate. The other seed heads were left to dry and once winnowed were put into an envelope all together. And there be the problem, some of the seed wasnt mature enough whilst some was. The mature seed is germinating and producing good plants, the immature seed is dead in the water.

Lesson learnt. When you save your seed next year, ensure that it is really ripe before harvesting it.

The main thing is though, we are getting good healthy plants from the ripe seed which is good.

Very few of first lot sowed germinated so I did a germination test on damp kitchen roll in case it was the fault of the compost or something. Some of the seeds sprouted very quickly, but about half were doing nothing. I put the germinated seeds into tray with compost and they are romping away (definitely seem happier in cooler conditions). I'd say I had about 50% germination all told with a few seeds left to try again. Point noted about making sure saved seed is well ripened.

[pigletwillie]

I test germinated a bit of the really ripe seed that was put by and the germination rate was 94 out of a 100. This proves the ripe seed is good.

The ones sown in early January are now outside in modules and most are with two sets of leaves or straps and looking very well indeed.

[Poledragon]

The tray of compost the builders trashed actually has a few signs of life in it! So fingers crossed we'll get a few viable shallots. I've also got some seed left which will be going in tomorrow.

[muckdiva]

I was wondering about how late I could leave sowing more banana shallot seeds. As the current seedlings I have seem so much happier outdoors, I was thinking of germinating the next lot on kitchen role indoors and then sowing them straight into modules in the cold frame. I guess I need to wait for a bit more spring weather, but want to make sure the plants have enough time to mature........any ideas on best timing? (Sorry if this has already been answered elsewhere and I've missed it)

[sewer rat]

Pricked out 106 successfully germinated Humberstone Shallots today which look fine and dandy - cannot give you a germination figure as some are still germinating in the seed trays and I still have some to sow - but main reason is I was too darn lazy to count what I sowed !!!!

[Peter]

Here is one I sowed earlier...

I sowed my seeds 23rd, here are the little shoots poking out today.

[shirlthegirl43]

Oops, forgot to do my 'planted them today' entry yesterday!!

They are one to a module in a self watering propogator which is safely ensconced in my mini mini greenhouse built by younger son last weekend.

Hope they are happy!

[Dobby]

just planted some more in individual cells about 40 i think will let you know how they go

[shallotman]

Piglet.Should you run out I to have some Banana Shallot seed spare. Shallotman

[carleen]

I've planted 2 lots of modules now (about 24 ) and have had nothing. They were all indoors. Im on my third attempt now, which I planted last thursday outside in the greenhouse and I checked this morning and about 4 are sprouting. (I was starting to think I was jinxed!) I have plenty of seed left, so I might try Muckdiva's idea of kitchen roll germination and transplant those that sprout.

[wellie]

Hi Piglet !

I sowed 100 'Barringtons' Banana Shallot seeds, and 100 'Piglets' Banana Shallot seeds, all on 1st January this year, starting them off in a heated propagator, and then, at first sign of germination, moving them to an unheated site within the conservatory.

The BBS's started to germinate first, swiftly followed by the PGS's on 9th Jan. All were 'multi-sown' five to a cell in a P40 module tray, and none have been 'pricked out', same principle as my multi-sown onions.....
Having let all those wot want to germinate by now 'show themselves', I have a final count of:
41 germinated from 100 'Barringtons' and
33 germinated from 100 'Piglets'

If you're interested in my comparison experiment here Piggy, the 'Barrington Shallot seedlings' current growth status is ever so slightly stronger, but it's so marginal, it's negligible.

So, in my books, given that they've been propagating far longer than you, I think you have every reason to pat yourself on the back actually!
I'm delighted with the results, thank you.....