How long does it take for Crocosmia seeds to germinate?
Keep soil consistently moist until germination, which occurs within 14 to 21 days. Space seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart to allow room for growth. Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost and transplant seedlings after frost risk passes. As a general rule, seeds are started indoors about 6 weeks prior to your last frost date. During a cold spring, it’s better to delay sowing to ensure the soil temperature is warm enough than to be hasty and get disappointing results.
Can you plant Crocosmia seeds in the fall?
Unlike many plants grown from bulbs, which need to be planted in the fall for spring bloom, the best time to plant crocosmia is in the spring because it flowers in late summer and fall. How to Grow Crocosmia. Sow these seeds into trays or small pots filled with a seed starter mix. Sow 4-5 seeds per plant at a depth of 1/4 inch, and lightly cover.Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (Montbretia) Probably the most widely grown cultivar of Crocosmia, award-winning Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ produces decorative clumps of erect pleated leaves and brilliant wands of fiery scarlet red tubular flowers which bloom for 5-8 weeks from mid to late summer.You can also grow crocosmias from seed, although this is a slower, fiddlier process than simply dividing the corms, and the resulting new plants may take several years to reach flowering size. It is easy to collect and sow seeds – see our guides below.Plant Crocosmia in full sun and well-drained soil that does not become waterlogged. Its fleshy roots (corms) should be planted 2-4 deep and 6-8 apart. Crocosmia will quickly grow and overcrowd itself, and therefore should be divided every 2-3 years.Montbretia (Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’) This self-seeder forms in clumps, with stems growing to 1. Crocosmia can also be propagated by division just before growth starts in the springtime.
Can I plant my seeds in the fall?
Many native seeds need to have a winter period of cold moist temperatures to break dormancy and germinate. Not all native seeds require this cold period for germination, but every seed can be sown outdoors in the fall or winter. Our range of seeds to sow in autumn includes all sorts of hardy vegetables that tolerate cooler temperatures well, from crisp lettuce seeds to tender and flavourful Calabrese broccoli seeds. Many of our early-maturing and indoor vegetable seeds, such as basil seeds, can even crop the same year if sown in early autumn.
Can I put seeds straight into soil?
Many plants with large seeds, such as Peas, Beans and Sweet Corn, are best sown directly where the plants are to grow. Plants with small seeds, such as Broccoli and Cabbage, should be sown into punnets or small pots of Yates Seed Raising Mix and the seedlings later transplanted into their final position. Gently scatter the seeds over the designated areas. Aim for even distribution, but don’t worry about perfect spacing—a slightly denser sprinkle can be thinned out later. After sowing, lightly cover the area with soil and water it to help the seeds settle into the soil. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.Loosely fill seed trays and/or pots with seed starter soil. Moisten soil by spraying with water bottle. Place seeds in seed cells or pots according to seed packet directions. Example: Seed packet will say plant one seed per cell 1/4” deep or sprinkle three Seeds on soil surface.Sowing & Growing Plant the seeds in cell packs or flats, gently pressing them into the soil and covering them minimally. Adequate light is beneficial for germination.Scatter sowing works really well for some species, but it isn’t suited for all flowers, herbs, and vegetables. It’s a good method for plants that grow best when directly sown but it isn’t appropriate for plants that need more care during the germination stage and need to be started in seed trays.
Do I need to soak my seeds before I plant them?
Almost all seeds can be pre-soaked, but it is large seeds, seeds with thick coats and wrinkled seeds that will benefit most. Small seeds benefit less and are difficult to handle when wet. Examples of seeds that benefit from soaking include peas, beets, cucumber, corn, squash, pumpkin and beans. Only larger seeds with tough exterior coatings should be soaked. Tiny seeds with thin outer shells do not require soaking. Soaking tiny seeds can cause them to clump together, making them almost impossible to sow.