Starting seedlings in compost

[liquidambar]

Biiglblueyes;
You don't soak and rinse them then and still are successful?

Maybe you do it naturally and enough by putting them on the top of the soil and watering?
Would that clamshell box be deeper for draining away the stuff that keeps parsley from sprouting- unlike those little coils or smaller pots -that are about the size that my thumb and fore finger would only fit in?

And another thing I have noticed in the last few years, all seeds will not germinate like they should.

Last year I ordered from several catalogs, from Lowes, and Wal Mart and none of them had the germination rates they claimed.

I made the seed catalog companies send me more seeds - since they charged me so much for postage.

[biigblueyes]

Correct. Good germination for parsley with no soaking. Keeping the surface (and the seeds) constantly damp with the mini-greenhouse, damp dishtowel or board on the surface apparently breaks down that seed coating, just as soaking does.

[liquidambar]

"board on the surface"
What do you mean by that?
You put a board on the top of the soil - of cardboard or wood?
and the water just runs off?
Maybe a paper towel to hold the seeds from being washed away while sitting on the board?

I think it is so hard to get seeds to germinate the way they should when I am not putting them directly into the ground.

[biigblueyes]

The board is to keep moisture next to the seeds. If you're planting in the ground, you'd lay a wet dishtowel or a board on top of the seeds. You'd need to check them every day, watering as needed, but they'd stay moist during the day. I've never done that, but it's one of the tips you hear about from the Old Timers.

[liquidambar]

Oh, fascinating!
Now that you mention it, how many times have I picked up a board and found grass seeds have sprouted under it.

Someone paid attention to that!!!
I did not until you said this.
Thanks. That does sound like a trick that would help in germination.

Okay Biigblueyes-- Now you make me wonder what other stuff you have in that brain of yours that I might (if you don't mind) pick at times.

[biigblueyes]

hahaha - careful - you might find a few cobwebs in there!

[hazelnut]

I can testify that she is a great brain picker!

[liquidambar]

Heeee, heeee, heeee,
I hope I have not been a nuisance about it, but people knows a lot and experience is everything.

[biigblueyes]

This place is great because we have lots of folks with lots of knowledge and experience, who are oh-so-nice about sharing that info. (See how nicely I can schmooze when I need to pick brains about hydroponics?)

[BooBooBearBecky]

I've never used coconut coir to start seeds before. I'd like to experiment with that.

I have started seeds in sterile sponges and had great results!
Seed Starting in Sponges