Here we are, overwhelmed with what the seed catalogues offer and drooling at the thought of what's to come in our gardens this year! We buy the seeds, plant them only to find..sadly..there's gaps in rows where nothing came up, or we have "barren cells" in early-planted trays..WHY when we believe we did everything right according to Hoyle? The answer lies in germination rates of various veggie, herb and flower seeds, is something we have no control over, nor do the suppliers as it's just Mother Nature at work. Most vegetable seed lies in the 60%-80% germination rate range, the 80's being collards, cukes, lettuce, peas and turnips. The lowest on the totem pole appears to be water cress at 40%, followed by husk tomatoes, chives and okra at 50%, then by carrots and peppers at only 55%. To name a few that possess a 60% rate are: eggplant, parsley and spinach. Standing, among others, at 65% are: beets and chard; at 70%: garden beans, Brussel sprouts. At 75%, part of the list includes: brassicas, corn, muskmelons, radishes, squash and corn. Flower's ranges start with a mere 30% for African violets, and a nearly as bad 35% for lantana and verbena (which needs special treatment in the seed starting process). In the 40% range, a few are: annual mums, perennial coreopsis and scabiosa: petunias and annual gaillardia rate at 45%. Tuberous begonias come in at 50%; impatiens and China asters at 55%. All the rest, from ageratums thru zinnias, fall in the 60-75% seed germination category, which isn't too disturbing. So you see it's not anyone's fault if all planted seeds don't germinate 100% as we'd LIKE to SEE, some just will, others won't..regardless. Guess the answer is simply "plant heavy, cull later if need be", and be happy with what DOES grow! GREAT GARDENING ALL and remember: To plant a seed and wait, is to believe!
You make a good point weeds n seeds. In fact I always plant extra to allow for the ones that won't germinate. More is definitely better than not enough!
Yep - you are so right. I always try to sow extras - just incase. If I am lucky and all germinate then I do not cull the 'extras - there are always gardening friends and a few schools in our neigboring community that gain the 'extras'.
I usually check germination rate and sow accordingly, but I tend to forget too. Thanks for the reminder.
