Seed sowing

[James]

I recently joined the club and as a teenager I am a bit in experienced.
Upon joining I received three packets of seed: Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Alba', Eryngium x Zabelii 'Jos Eijking' and Schizostylis Coccinea. I like the idea of growing them from seed. Can you give me details on how to sow the specific plant?

[Ian Y]

Hello James and welcome to the forum.

You should sow all the seeds now by scattering them on the surface of a gritty compost  and covering them with a layer of gravel -the pots should be left exposed to the weather.

 Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Alba', Is the Spanish Blue bell and will not germinate until next spring.


Eryngium x Zabelii 'Jos Eijking'  may germinate during the summer if not it will appear next spring.


Schizostylis Coccinea may also germinate this summer but more likely it will come next spring.

Growing from seed is the most rewarding way to get plants and while the ideal time to sow these seeds is late autumn/ early winter I am sure that you will still get results from your efforts.

[James]

Thankyou very much! Iv decided to sow half of them now and sow the rest in late autumn. 

[Maggi Young]

Hello James!
 I think that's a very sensible decision. Happy growing!!

[James]

Thankyou!

[James]

If I cant get horticultural grit/gravel what else can I use? Is covering it with a fine layer of seed compost fine?

[Maggi Young]

The kind of gravel used in Scotland for harling buildings is perfect, James. Widely available from the likes of B&Q and usually much cheaper than anything labelled "horticultural gravel".

We use  granite chippings that are sold as "6mm  gravel"

[James]

Thanks again!

[WimB]

Hi James,

welcome to this wonderful forum....glad to see a teenager over here. It's better over here than on Twitter & Tumblr anyway  And it's great to have some young people over here, instead of all the OAP's