[spud]

Hi all

I'm having big issues getting my lettuce seeds to germinate, I'm using this years purchased seeds, Ive tried covering them lightly, not covering them with any compost, at low temps of 15C and higher at 22C they are in a seed propagator with higher moisture levels  they just wont germinate.\, or at best very poorly. I'm way behind with my plans.

Can you share what works for you please? thanks

[jezza]

Hello the seed need stratification,put them in the fridge over night then sow in a good seed compost at 65 degrees should be showing in 2 to 3 days   jezza

[mumofstig]

Lettuce prefers cooler conditions - some varieties don't germinate at all at temperatures over 20C. They don't like to be too wet either, so be careful with watering.

[New shoot]

Mine in germinating in my unheated greenhouse here in the south east.  I just put 2-3 seeds in each module and I will thin to a single seedling once they get a bit bigger.  They are just sat on the greenhouse bench with no cover.

Maybe treat them a bit meaner 

[Aidy]

I grow little gems....

I keep the seed packet in the fridge all the time (as mentioned above)
To germinate I always pre-chit in a tub with damp kitchen paper.
I leave in the bathroom as this has the most consistent temp and normally within 2-3 they sprut, I then put the seed in a pot and lightly cover with compost run through a sieve so it's nice and fine

Never had a problem with this method

[8doubles]

 I just chucked some out of date seed ( pk of Gem and pk of mesclun mix) on a pot of compost with a bit of sieved fine stuff on top and it is all growing like stink !

 



Personally i think you are trying too hard , chuck it in and feign indifference !

[spud]

Thanks everyone for the input, I've tried the methods mentioned and lets see how it goes. I'll be back. 

[spud]

Nothing showing yet, I dont know what I'm doing wrong!

[8doubles]

Is the propagator heated?
If so turn it off.
A temp of15 c would be better than 22c which is a bit warm.

I would be thinking about a refund/ replacement on the seeds.

[spud]

Yes tried them in fridge overnight, then sown and lightly covered and left in kitchen window, they are still damp but nothing germinating
I'e tried several packets of seeds and nothing from any of them, so it must be something Im doing!

[Alank]

Try new seed and a different compost .

[spud]

I've done that today, and resown a load of seeds.

[mumofstig]

Just a thought, are you just a little impatient - not everything germinates within a couple of days.
The average time for lettuce germination is 7 days
https://www.allotment-garden.org/gardening-information/seed-saving/seed-germination-viability-testing/

[spud]

Thanks Leslie, I'm thinking it may have been the compost as I had a tray of cabbage transplants coming along, a bit slow and then they all died, sadly I had mixed 2 -3 bags to get them used up so dont know which!

[Yorkie]

Just a thought - how wet/damp are you keeping your compost? Your reference about the cabbages coming up and then dying, made me wonder whether it's too wet and you have damping off disease for the cabbages?