Parsnips... again.

[1Bee]

Sorry, I know parsnips come up a lot (or not... curses!) but I'm a bit stuck.

I set an old packet of seed to chit in a plastic tub with moist kitchen paper about 4 weeks ago. After nearly 2 weeks nothing was happening, so I bought two packs of new seed and set them off the same way in separate tubs.

Then, of course, the original tub started sprouting but I wasn't watching anymore so I missed it. And not a lot has happened in the other 2.

In total, I've got about a dozen sprouted seeds from 3 tubs.

What's going wrong? Am I too late to start again?

I love parsnips! I got nearly 90% germination from the same method last year...

[Bren In Pots]

You could be me, my first seeds did nothing after 4 weeks so today I've bought new seeds and put them on moist K/roll in tubs. finger crossed I get germination this time.

[1Bee]

Obviously I'm not 'liking ' the fact that you're a fellow sufferer, but that I'm not alone!

[1Bee]

Anyone else? :/

[Lumpy]

I used the seed tapes that were part of the Suttons offer and did not expect much from them but they have all come up in their raised bed.

Never managed that before so for me I will be taping in future - you watch next year nothing will happen as Mother Nature teaches me a lesson for being smug!

[bario1]

The new seed will be sprouting soon, so just bung that in the ground as soon as you see the 'tails'. I dumped all the seed I'd set to chit in my bed even though only 10% was sprouting (my fingers got cold and I got fed up trying to individually plant the sprouting ones), and lots of it has come up a few weeks later, so I'll need to do a bit of thinning out.

[Penellype]

Parsnips are very slow so don't give up yet.

[1Bee]

I just don't understand how each tub has sprouted a few, but nothing has happened with the rest...

[bario1]

Those few are your gold medal winning 'snips.

[Bigmallly]

Try sowing them direct in the bed. They do take quite a while to germinate but you've plenty of time.

[Penellype]

Hmm, not sure why only a few have germinated.

[bario1]

I think it's a fine line between keeping them warm and damp enough to germinate, and keeping them so warm and damp that they rot?

[1Bee]

I was worrying about that. But the rest don't seem to be rotting...

[bario1]

It's frustrating isn't it? Give them a few more days.