Seeds in a conservatory

charliesmum · « **on:** March 06, 2007, 16:44 »

I want to get started with something, but the allotment isn't ready yet, and the greenhouse is waiting for the glass, so can I chit my potatoes and start my seeds off in the conservatory.

It is south facing so gets quite warm when the sun is out

WG. · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2007, 16:45 »

Yes, that's what I do. Mine has a glass roof though so remember to turn then if yours is slated.

Aidy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2007, 16:47 »

your better off chitting in a cool light place, might get a bit warm for ur spuds. Seeds no probs but again its a bit early for most of them unless you would like to watch things growing but a later sowing will catch up very quickley if left a few more weeks before you sow, toms could go in now alot of people I know have them going and leeks can also be started now.

charliesmum · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2007, 17:55 »

Thanks for the replies, like everyone else, I am desperate to do something, so looks like I will be starting my tomatoes and leeks.

skywalker · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2007, 18:15 »

I have chitted my potatoes really well in the conservatory but I have turned off the heating in there so it remains cool all the time. If you start your seeds off on a bedroom windowsill until they germinate they will do fine in a cool conservatory as well.

Smudgeboy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2007, 12:18 »

I spent a chunk of last Sunday putting various seeds in propogators just to see what would happen.

I sowed three types of Rocket, two types of tomatoes, three types of chillis and four herbs (basil, chives, parsley, coriander).

They've spent four days (today's day 5) on a windowsill that gets sun in the day - and it's been reasonably sunny between the showers down here.

The Rocket are going like the clappers - five days in and they're an inch high, and there are tiny signs of life from one of the toms (Legend).

Nothing from anything else yet, but it's just such a thrill when you suddenly check the propogators and there's living things in them

Sadgit · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2007, 12:22 »

Quote from: "Smudgeboy"

I spent a chunk of last Sunday putting various seeds in propogators just to see what would happen.

I sowed three types of Rocket, two types of tomatoes, three types of chillis and four herbs (basil, chives, parsley, coriander).

They've spent four days (today's day 5) on a windowsill that gets sun in the day - and it's been reasonably sunny between the showers down here.

The Rocket are going like the clappers - five days in and they're an inch high, and there are tiny signs of life from one of the toms (Legend).

Nothing from anything else yet, but it's just such a thrill when you suddenly check the propogators and there's living things in them

My rocket died a horrible death as I left them in the proporgater too long, the got about an inch or 2 high and suffered in the humidity, same as the toms and a few other flowers..

oh and the Basil didn't like it in there either... or the spinach.... wasn't a good start for me this year

DD. · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2007, 13:14 »

I've never ever bothered with propagators, I've always used seed tray covers, clear plastic meat trays, or plastic bags.

Whatever I use - as soon as the seeds start to geminate, the cover comes off, otherwise the seedling gets drawn & weak - as you've unfortunatley found out. Plenty of time to re-sow, very early days yet.

WG. · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2007, 13:29 »

Quote from: "Digger Dave"

as soon as the seeds start to geminate, the cover comes off

100% with you on that one DD. I frequently germinate seeds in the conservatory and then sling them out of doors (or into a coldframe) as soon as the first few break the surface. I reckon a brand new seedling is a lot hardier than one with soft growth on it.

Smudgeboy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2007, 16:07 »

Quote from: "Digger Dave"

I've never ever bothered with propagators, I've always used seed tray covers, clear plastic meat trays, or plastic bags.

Whatever I use - as soon as the seeds start to geminate, the cover comes off, otherwise the seedling gets drawn & weak - as you've unfortunatley found out. Plenty of time to re-sow, very early days yet.

Well, I say propogators, actually one is a proper propogator, one is a cellular seed tray with a clear plastic box upturned over it and one is a cellular seed tray with a cover made from polythene and coat-hangers - but they're propogators to me!

Interesting what you say about the cover coming off - my rocket shoots are about an inch. Should I uncover and leave in the same spot?

Smudgeboy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2007, 16:08 »

Quote from: "whisky_golf"

I frequently germinate seeds in the conservatory and then sling them out of doors (or into a coldframe) as soon as the first few break the surface. I reckon a brand new seedling is a lot hardier than one with soft growth on it.

If I don't have a cold frame, would an unheated greenhouse do?

WG. · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2007, 16:15 »

Quote from: "Smudgeboy"

If I don't have a cold frame, would an unheated greenhouse do?

Yes if fully ventilated. The idea is to keep them very hardy and a closed greenhouse would get very warm during sunny spells. The perfect conditions are full light and low temperature (above freezing)

Annie · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2007, 16:29 »

Rocket will do OK outside if you harden it off,some of mine has overwintered despite being dumped out of a big pot needed for the Christmas tree,it`s putting up loads of new leaves.I often sew a bit outside now sheltered from the wind.

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Seeds in a conservatory

WG.

WG.

WG.