Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: SAF on February 28, 2008, 08:26

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: SAF on February 28, 2008, 08:26

I put some leek seeds in my propagator approx 4 weeks ago and nothing has changed not a single one has shown any signs of life.  I  have it placed on my kitchen window sill from 7am till dusk. Does anybody have any ideas or tips on how I can get them to spring into life?

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: Scribbler on February 28, 2008, 09:01

100% failure is quite rare I'd say. They should have been kept moist but not wet. And how deep BTW?

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: SAF on February 28, 2008, 09:54

BTW, what does this mean? I am fairly new to growing my own veg?
they have been kept moist, so it is really puzzling to why they arent't doing anything????

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: Wildeone on February 28, 2008, 10:09

BTW - means 'By the Way'

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: SAF on February 28, 2008, 10:19

they were sown approx halfway down into each part of the seed tray

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: Scribbler on February 28, 2008, 10:36

How deep's the seed tray..........................?          :wink:

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: Scribbler on February 28, 2008, 10:53

Have a look at this:

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=10396

I've got my Wilko's cat litter tray with holes in the bottom ready for planting in March.

Maybe you've planted them too deep?

Not too late to plant some more, and apparently early planted leeks are more likely to bolt.

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: SAF on February 28, 2008, 11:32

thanks for the link to the page about the cat litter tray.  The seed tray is approx 2inches deep.

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: compostqueen on February 28, 2008, 14:50

I sow my seed on top of the compost and cover it with just a thin layer of compost, then water by planting the seed tray in a tray of some kind. Once the surface of the water glistens I leave it to drain in the sink. Then it can go into the propagator or windowsill once drained. You should not really need to water again until the seeds have germinated. Do you think the seeds could have got too wet??   Or has been suggested already they could be too deep. Always be guided by the packet instructions  :D

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: Trillium on February 28, 2008, 15:11

Definitely planted too deep. Most seeds prefer to be just under the surface, some right on the surface - the packages will tell you.

You'd best re-seed, this time with just a light sprinkle of compost on top to cover them.

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: SAF on February 28, 2008, 21:49

I have started againg with the leeks, fresh compost. Hopefully things will be better this time around.

Title: Nothing happening in the propagator
Post by: Trillium on February 28, 2008, 22:03

Live and learn - we all had to go through it  :lol:
It should work out this time for you.