[Lupin lurcher]

Hi, I sowed my tomato seeds in a multipurpose with added John Innes 16 days ago, they are indoors on a south facing window seal, so far they have not germinated at all, should I give them more time or shall I start again using a seed compost.

[mumofstig]

the compost would have made no difference, but the temperature on the windowledge may have delayed germination - it's still very cold at night.

[Lupin lurcher]

Thanks Mum, I will give them a little longer then.

[richyrich7]

Move them off the window sill to some where more stable a temperature. If you have an airing cupboard put them in there. They need warmth not light to make them grow.
As soon as you see the 1st seedling start to appear then they need light, back to the window sill during the day, move them off there at night till the cold weather has past.

[Lupin lurcher]

Thank you Richy will do that

[wil4025]

Invest in a propagator, will speed things up and get better germination rates

[starry]

mine are all on a south facing window sill and have now all come up been about 8 days but I did  cover mine which seemed to make all the difference (unheated propagator)

[Pimento]

Yes, a lid certainly helps. I wouldn't worry, though - it's still early days with plenty of time!

[gremlin]

A nice steady 20 degrees C, or a touch warmer, works for me.
7-10 days germination for ordinary tom seeds, and a couple of days fewer for F1.   

[DD.]

Invest in a propagator, will speed things up and get better germination rates

You do not need a propagator.

I sowed some on 5th Feb and popped them in a plastic bag in the bedroom, where they were away from direct light, but at a stable temperature. They were up in 6 days.

[Pimento]

It's still a propagator, DD - just a home-made one!    I also use plastic trays from the supermarket to make bases and lids - does the same job. 

[DD.]

"Invest" was they key word.

I just nick a plastic bag from Mrs Digger's cupboard! Served me well these last 4 decades.

[Pimento]

...Ah.   I didn't see 'invest' in your reply, DD. Just 'propagator'...   

[DD.]

It wasn't in my reply as such, but it was in the post I quoted. 

[casper]

Pimento, I love your tray idea from the supermarket, gave me a great idea, the company i work gets in caterers for buffets, they always leave behind those plastic trays that have lids that fit over for sandwiches, time for some recycling me thinks