[Lardman]

I've had really bad germination this year - 1 out of 18 so far. 3 brands of seed (T&M, Johnsons & Wilcos) 2 type brands of compost Wessex and Wickes. I'm a little bit surprised as previously I've had no problems. The B.N.S. also germinated without issue.

Not sure if this has been asked before (I couldn't find it with a search). Can I soak the seed on some kitchen paper and pre-germinated them like we do with the corn ? A summer without too many courgettes just wouldn't be cricket and its getting late.

[Kristen]

I think all "Large Seeds" can be done that way. I haven't needed to bother for Courgettes

(I've got 5 seeds left - Suttons, one you haven't tried yet , if you want me to post them to you PM me your address)

[theakston_uk]

I've had 2 out of 6 seeds appear so far, which in my calculations is only a 33% germination rate. Pretty poor really.

[andreadon]

can i add to this question and ask if it's too late to start off courgettes now?
i'm not convinced mine are going to survive - i'm not used to such a warm spring and i don't want to miss out!

[Ice]

Start some off now, no problem.

[Lardman]

I'll soak a few then.

(I've got 5 seeds left - Suttons, one you haven't tried yet , if you want me to post them to you PM me your address)

Thanks for the offer Kristen - I better use these up before another packet appears 

Start some off now, no problem.

Or not as the case may be 

[Ice]

You know who I was talking to.

[JRRD]

I sowed 10 courgette and 8 squash a few weeks ago. And only 2 squash seem to know what they are supposed to be doing, albeit very slowly !
A complete no show from the courgettes.

I did think about starting new seeds but as my allotment needs to be looking fuller, sooner rather than later, I committed the sin of buying a few courgette plants today 

[Mitsy]

I've only had 2 out of 6 come up. Might try another few 

[Ice]

What's the horticultural version of viagra, think we need some.

[galen]

I planted pumpkin, cucumber (outdoor) and courgette all at the same time at the beginning of May in 3 inch pots, John Innes No1,  in a mini plastic greenhouse. Pumpkin took a week, cucumber 10 days and the courgettes 16 days to come through, all with 100% success rate. I know I was fretting with the courgettes, they took a lot longer than I was expecting

[gillie]

I am puzzled by these problems, I always get almost 100% germination of courgettes, squashes and pumpkins pretty quickly.  I never soak the seeds.

Do you sow these big flat seeds vertically?

Gillie

[Highfield]

I shoved three unceremoniously into pots three days ago and into a self seal poly bag (not quite done up) in the shed - 2 are up today.

The miracle celery are 99% thriving too .. fingers crossed!!! 

Just me and the dogs who are suffering in the heat .... 

[Lardman]

I am puzzled by these problems, I always get almost 100% germination of courgettes, squashes and pumpkins pretty quickly.  I never soak the seeds.

I've had no problems in previous years either.

Do you sow these big flat seeds vertically?

On edge with the sharp bit down, same as I always have. Not sure what it is this year. Might also try some sown direct just incase its something to do with the compost...

[Cazzy]

I sowed a few direct about 2 weeks ago and nothing, i'm maybe gonna stick a few more in some pots in the greenhouse incase an emergency situation arises