Failed Germination of Little Gem?

[Chef_uk]

Its now been 13 days since I sowed them. they have spent the first 10 days on the landing windowsill which has worked for the all year round lettuce, cabbages, and Brussels but no sign from the little gem. I put them in to the airing cupboard on Wednesday to see if that would kick in the germination but nothing. Any ideas?

[Hazel at the Hill]

I think I'm right in saying that lettuce won't germinate if it's too hot?

[ginger ninger]

Might take a bit longer than 2 weeks to germinate. I usually soak mine for a few day's before I sow them just to soften there hard case, then straight into the final position when all frost has gone. Give them a little longer. But if your keeping them indoors till the frost has gone, I hope you've got plenty of room.
They do have a tendency to rot in there cases if there kept too wet and hot as well.

[rana]

You have to be patient. If they are viable seeds they will germinate when the conditions (particurly temperature) are right. I have had some brassicas in the greenhouse that have waited all winter and only germinated last week.

[Chef_uk]

Ok cheers guys. Room isn't so much of an issue.

[Jono]

Hey Chef.

I've had lettuce seeds that have taken three + weeks to germinate, so wouldn't worry just yet.

[Polly Fouracre]

Lettuce don't like heat, just a slightly warm place such as a window sill in an unheated room.

[zazen999]

Its now been 13 days since I sowed them. they have spent the first 10 days on the landing windowsill which has worked for the all year round lettuce, cabbages, and Brussels but no sign from the little gem. I put them in to the airing cupboard on Wednesday to see if that would kick in the germination but nothing. Any ideas?

Have you got anywhere outside, like a cold frame?

[Two_Sheds]

My lettuce have germinated in a cold greenhouse: Winter Gem lettuce, Feb 11 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Newton]

When did they germinate two sheds?

[Kristen]

I don;t think room temperature - 15C - 18C is too warm (if you keep your house like a sauna then maybe!)

At room temperature I would expect lettuce to germinate in a few days.

From:

Temperature effect on vegetable seeds - percentage germination

at 25C then 99% should germinate in 2 days ...

although at 30C germination falls to 12% (but the rest would still be up in 3 days)

Down at 10C your would get 98% in 7 days

so unless it is Artic, or Tropical, I think 13 days is worryingly long. But worth leaving them be a while yet nonetheless

[zazen999]

Unless they are too wet of course.....

I'd dig down and try to find one and see if it is still intact.

[Two_Sheds]

When did they germinate two sheds?

I'll need to go and look ... wow, that was a surprise. Sown on 13th Nov, they've spent all winter in the cold gh. They've doubled in size in the last week, with the lovely week of sunshine we've just had

[Chef_uk]

we have a greenhouse but thought it might still be too cold for them. Our house is around 15c-21c so not too hot. Coal fire heating has meant we've had to cut back on its use and temperature so we go to bed at 21c and wake up at 15c. That's why I went to put them in the airing cupboard as its alot warmer in there

If they will be fine in the greenhouse i'll move them out to it and bring them in if nighttime temps drop off again.

[zazen999]

I sowed some home saved lettuce seeds in the greenhouse 2 weekends ago [14 days] and the first one is up today. You don't need to bring the tray in if the nights are cold!

However I'd sow a few pinches more now, and put the tray that you have out there.