[Parsnip]

The pack method I used initially gace me 2% germination, I was a bit suspicious about them anyway. When I opened the packet there was some mould on some of them...Anyway I dumped them and started again using the Chit method...


Superb result...100% germination...

[Kristen]

"it should say on the packet if the seed has been treated with anything"

I never checked the packet ... Doh!

"WARNING: See treated with Benlate Thiram to aid germination. Wash hand after use. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN"

Blimey, didn't do any of that! Germination aid it is then.

[richyrich7]

Benlate & Thiram are both fungicides, so coated seed would have a better germination rate.

So in this case germination aid & fungicide are one and the same 

Either way round wash your hands... must stop feeding the wood pigeons my duds then

[matron]

OK, I will give you all a laugh now.
I have chitted mine for the first time this year and they did very well. I then asked OH which way to plant them - based on the potato 'chits go up' his answer was white bit up  . I now know that it goes down and I have turned all my seeds around  .
For all you clever gardeners - I NOW KNOW ROOTS GO DOWN! 

[strangerachael]

I wish I had chitted my sweetcorn - germination has been pretty low so far. Might try it with the rest of the packet.

[Gardeningguru]

I wish I had chitted my sweetcorn - germination has been pretty low so far. Might try it with the rest of the packet.

I'm with you, I never bothered.  An now the germination is at best very slow, or at worst disatrous.  I will chit some tonight, and prepare an extra batch just in case....

[HelenK]

Hi all, I saw the advice about chitting sweetcorn on here and thought it was a logical idea because people already do it for beans etc (and obviously potatoes!).

I put some in damp kitchen towel in an air tight tub in a warm place, checked them everyday and in the end got bored and took them out at the end of a week as only a for of them had started to show roots. I was concerned about rot but put them in peat pots anyway (they didn't smell funny or 'owt). This was over a week ago and they still haven't popped their heads up above the soil.

My questions were, 1. could they have been rotten so they haven't germinated and 2. am I too late to sew some more as I'm aware they need a long growing season?

Thanks in advance,
Helen

[Kristen]

Old seed possibly?

I don't think you are too late. Assuming they germinate quickly (they should ...) then they should be ready to plant out in about 3 weeks.   I think 1st June is about the earliest date not to be faffing around with Fleece etc - which is quite difficult for a block of relatively tall plants which is 6' square or more.

[HelenK]

Hi Kristen, thanks for your reply and the advice. They are nice fresh seeds that I got from www.realseeds.co.uk which are supposed to be easy to germinate. Nice to know that I haven't missed the boat. I think I'll put more in to chit this evening also so some straight into peat pots and see what happens!

[janiejakemum]

I had to start my corn off again as the dog took a liking to the peat pots.  I put them in kitchen roll in a tub and they needed planting after 2 days so i will definately use this method if i want something to hurry up.

[HelenK]

Well wouldn't you know it, I put some more in to chit yesterday evening just in case. When I got home today, two of the original ones had popped their heads up above the soil! 

[DD.]

You can never have too much sweetcorn!

I think the cats (or whatever as I have no proof!), destroyed about 20 of mine. I've compensated by chitting another 60.

[Ice]

I've compensated by chitting another 60.

Don't forget the paprika.

[DD.]

There's none on these - different variety (Excalibur), same source, (Moles).

I feel robbed now!

[Yorkie]

Over half of my sweetcorn seeds germinated, but the others soon showed black spore-like furry bits.  Very odd