Onion seedlings

[Paulottie]

I apologise Aberdeen plotter, my clumsy comment genuinely was not originally meant as personally as it obviously came across...certainly I was interested in original observation, which appeared different to the other thread.....ho hum.

[Bigmallly]

I think it was the 'knows his onions' meant 'needs to get a life.' comment that was inappropriate Paul but so long as AP is happy with your apology then everything is hunky dory on the vine once again.........

[Bigmallly]

I planted 2 trays of leek seeds and 2 trays of onion seeds one red exhibition and one white exhibition out of the 4 trays i planted not one showing. I planted them on 6th Feb in a mixture of vermiculite and compost. The seeds are new delivered from Kings have i made a mistake by planting them in vermiculite
Oh and the seed trays are indoors

There should be no problem germinating them in a compost/vermiculite mix sauzee. Are they in a warm place ?

[Aberdeenplotter]

I planted 2 trays of leek seeds and 2 trays of onion seeds one red exhibition and one white exhibition out of the 4 trays i planted not one showing. I planted them on 6th Feb in a mixture of vermiculite and compost. The seeds are new delivered from Kings have i made a mistake by planting them in vermiculite
Oh and the seed trays are indoors

Sauzee, onions germinate best at around 18ºc 64ºf. They will germinate at lower temperatures but it will take longer and you may not get the same percentage of seeds germinating. I have never tried sowing wholly in vermic although I have tried sprinkling the seed on the surface of compost and covering lightly with fine vermic. using vermic didn't prevent germination. What I did find was that the rootplate using a covering vermic was actually seated on top of the compost rather than actually anchored in it resulting in my seedlings flopping all over the place. I now sow on top of moist compost covering lightly with riddled compost.

Hope that gives a wee insight. My inclination would be to move your seedtrays into the airing cupboard where it is warm but take them out again as soon as you see signs of germination. At the optimum temperature with freesh seed, germination should show after around 10 days but at lower temperatures, 3 weeks and upwards isn't unusual.

[Bigmallly]

Apologies if I misread, I thought it was a compost/vermic mix.

[sauzee]

Apologies if I misread, I thought it was a compost/vermic mix.

You are correct Bigmally it is a mix probably 25% vermiculite 75% compost the trays are on the window cill and on top of my large fridge freezer which has heat from the back motors

[Bigmallly]

If the tray hasn't got a lid on try putting some glass or plastic over the top. Clingfilm may even work but must admit I've not tired it.

[veggiechicken]

Or put the tray in a plastic bag - may need a bit of wire (?coat hanger) to keep the plastic off the soil..

[sauzee]

The trays all have plastic lids about 3in high i also planted pepinex cucumber,sweet million tomato,mr majestic marigolds and carnations all came up just no show on the leeks and onions

[Bigmallly]

The trays all have plastic lids about 3in high i also planted pepinex cucumber,sweet million tomato,mr majestic marigolds and carnations all came up just no show on the leeks and onions

Give them time, my leeks took a couple of weeks to show.

[sauzee]

Thanks for your replies it must have helped i now see 4 leeks popping through but onions hopefully will follow