North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Road's End Farm <organic87@frontiernet.net>]

I scatter petunia seed on top of watered growing medium, water again lightly, put a clear plastic dome cover over the seedling flat, and leave it somewhere with a reasonable amount of natural light, but not in direct sun or under lights as these can cause overheating under the dome cover. The cover keeps the soil from drying out, and I don't usually need to water again until after the cover comes off, though I check daily to make sure they're wet enough.

As soon as seed has visibly germinated, take the dome off and put them under lights.

I've never had any difficulty germinating petunias; but this may depend on variety. I only do a few of them, a short-stemmed mix to grow a pot or two's worth.

--Rivka
Finger Lakes NY; zone 5 mostly

On Apr 1, 2008, at 3:38 PM, Doreen Howard wrote:

> <x-tad-smaller>Scatter petunia seeds on top of growing medium, water well and place under lights.  I mist the surface a couple times a day to keep the seeds and medium moist.  Same with impatiens.  Both are some of the most difficult annuals to germinate, and that's why you find them at garden centers in such large array and mark-up.</x-tad-smaller>
> <x-tad-smaller>Doreen Howard</x-tad-smaller>
> > <x-tad-smaller>----- Original Message -----</x-tad-smaller>
> > <x-tad-smaller>From:</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller> </x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller>Jerrydana5@aol.com</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller> </x-tad-smaller>
> > <x-tad-smaller>To:</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller> </x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller>nafex@lists.ibiblio.org</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller> </x-tad-smaller>
> > <x-tad-smaller>Sent:</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller> Tuesday, April 01, 2008 1:54 PM</x-tad-smaller>
> > <x-tad-smaller>Subject:</x-tad-smaller><x-tad-smaller> [NAFEX] petunias from seed</x-tad-smaller>
> >
> >
> > <x-tad-smaller>OK-so if you're growing petunias from seed, before germination, should they be under lights or under complete dark?  I've heard both.  How about Impatiens?  Thanks.  Jerry in southern Indiana</x-tad-smaller>
> >