[gypsy]

I planted wilkinsons parsnips in paper pots 22nd March, every single one has germinated.
I have also planted some in the ground but it is impossible to say what % of those have germinated, hopefully it will be most of them.

[Aunt Sally]

Well done 

Would you like to come and plant mine for me 

[gypsy]

Well done 

Would you like to come and plant mine for me 

Get the kettle on, I will be round later to do em for you.

[Aunt Sally]

I'm cutting a nice slice of cake for you now 

[bigben]

last year I planted direct and saw nothing so assumed they had failed I then planted in paper pots and  I think I got about 38 out of 40 appear. I planted these and then of course the others appears as well so I ended up with loads. I froze the extras in Feb and we are still eating them.

[Siouxfly]

Gosh I'm impressed 100% I don't even get cress germinating at 100%!
I put my parsnip seeds out and thus far have 1 tiny wee seedling showing. My boys love parsnip crisps so I've planted loads to keep them happy still I'll be happy if  anywhere near 50% work, think I'm on about 0.2% germination rate at the mo.

[bluelou]

I planted wilkinsons parsnips in paper pots 22nd March, every single one has germinated.
I have also planted some in the ground but it is impossible to say what % of those have germinated, hopefully it will be most of them.

How big were your paper pots and what soil did you use? I have sow parsnips for the past 2 years and not ever 1% comes through.

[plum crumble]

well, after 3 weeks of 100 seed in 100 paper pots (using John Innes), I thought I had only a 5% germination rate - it now looks to be at 80%. So I am planting these out later today, plus doing a direct sowing under plastic of another 100...........will be interested to see what happens.

[bigben]

I planted wilkinsons parsnips in paper pots 22nd March, every single one has germinated.
I have also planted some in the ground but it is impossible to say what % of those have germinated, hopefully it will be most of them.

How big were your paper pots and what soil did you use? I have sow parsnips for the past 2 years and not ever 1% comes through.

I planted in paper pots (look up the thread about Richies paper pots) and used a pledge tin to create them - about 5-6 inch deep and filled them with B&Q multipurpose compost. The snips were Gladiators. I started them inside, above a radiator and then put them somwhere cooler as soon as they appeared. Other people chit them between paper but I have not needed to.

[bluelou]

Thanks. I will give it try this weekend. Will toilet rolls do the job as well?

[Kristen]

I do newspaper pots too - about 2.5" diameter and 6" tall. I have also done loo rolls - they are somewhat narrower, and tended to unwind along their spiral seam when planted, but otherwise fine.  Both can get mould on them, don't worry about that.

Important to use fresh seed - don't keep any left over for next year - Parsnip seed loses it viability very quickly.

If putting two seeds per pot make sure the seconds get removed.  I did that when I planted them, but didn't check again and more germinated during the Summer and gave me parsnip-pairs wrapped around each other!

As soon as the first true leaf appears they need to be hardened off and in the ground. The tap root grows downwards at a surprising rate! and that's the bit that won't like being disturbed during planting.

Mine were about a week germinating, and after another 3 weeks they needed to be in the ground - the tap roots were out of the bottom of the pots on some of them.

[gypsy]

I planted wilkinsons parsnips in paper pots 22nd March, every single one has germinated.
I have also planted some in the ground but it is impossible to say what % of those have germinated, hopefully it will be most of them.

How big were your paper pots and what soil did you use? I have sow parsnips for the past 2 years and not ever 1% comes through.

I made the pots round a tuna paste jar and used erin compost, 2 seeds to a pot, watered well, covered them with a carrier bag and newspaper, left them in an unheated poly tunnel, sprayed them when they were dry. Now nipped out the 2nd seed in each pot.

[Aidy]

I chit and direct sow, the chitted ones are through, looks like most have germinated ok, the direct sown ones may be a few weeks yet.
Never tried the paper pots due to space, well when I say space it's more the wife 

Slightly off subject but I have also tried to chit me cukes this year, 5 seeds in and all 5 have sent their little spruts owt, potted on last night so will see if they pop up.

[jondav]

parsnip seed needs to be fresh seed every year,so im told,What I do is cut the leafy top off one when I harvest it, plant this and it will grow on and run to seed,I collect the seed head, shake the seeds off,and I have seeds for next year

[Runwell-Steve]

Paper pot production tonight then, that will be a first for me, then Parsnip seeds in, (Gladiator) hopefully I will have more success than last years direct sowings which were a bit of a disaster.

Ooh I seem to be getting all green fingered all of a sudden, and enjoying it.  Never thought I'd enjoy gardening.