Why germinate seeds

[Tommyotommy]

Jasmine is very popular where I live too and although just about every variety imaginable is grown here - its something that I would much prefer to see growing in someone else's garden rather than my own - as I'm not overly keen on it .
However after saying that - I do quite like one of the evergreen varieties Jasmine Humile - which is extremely popular here and often trained to grow as a shrub rather than a climber

Might get one of those Humile. Evergreen and blooms more often. Thanks.

 

[Ruth B]

I am glad to see these pictures. I thought Jasmine had a 'break' in the petals, in other words, petal separation at some point, even if they were not 'star' jasmine. But apparently this is not true.

I was in a dog park yesterday, and I got the un deniable whiff of jasmine, across a fence that had all kinds of wild and wooly things in it, it was an unkept part like a woods, but not. And growing on the fence was some jasmine, again, they are not 'confusable' with anything else in smell.

I put my nose in it to make sure it wasn't coming from some other place, and yes, whew, it was jasmine. But it was white and shaped like a buttercup. A buttercup shape that is, with no break in the petals. I had never seen this variety before. It was viney and growing on the fence that was over 6 feet tall.

 

[Tommyotommy]

There are so many different plants called jasmine. Some are vines, some bushes... all I think are very fragrant, even though they have different scents. Gonna try and post a picture of my night Jasmine

 

[Tommyotommy]

 

[joeldeperu]

To me, the reason is that I am in much control of the results since I constantly monitor the amount of water, the damage by insects or other creatures. This way, the rate of successful germination is higher by far. But you can do this for certain seeds and eat them too, because during germination the amount of nutrients triples.

 

[Tommyotommy]

Love the taste of lentils bean sprouts

 

[Trellum]

There is a lot more to it than just covering up a seed with dirt. Seeds are different, in size, in habit, in time to germinate, in moisture etc. Larger seeds such as beans and corn are shallow rooted plants. Larger seeds such as squash are deeper rooted. Small seeds such as peppers and tomatos are small seeds and therefore require a different planting depth. Lettuce seeds for instance are tiny and require something way different from beans. And then there are the medium sized hard seeds such as okra that have deep roots but require a different method. If you buy seeds in packets it will tell you on the back an "approximate planting depth". Most often the small seeds should not be planted more than about 1/4". Seeds like lettuce shouldn't be covered at all, just patted down so as to get good soil and seed contact. Large seeded shallow rooted plants like beans should be planted deeper, about 1-1 1/2 deep depending on the soil. But a good rule of thumb is the smaller the seed the shallower it is planted and on larger seeds plant twice as deep as the seed is long.

Why do people plant seeds? Because many times you cannot buy the plants and seeds are a lot cheaer

That's so interesting, Chuck! Thanks for sharing this info with us. I havent a lot experience with seeds, my dad has always been more successful than me in this department. Good info to consider for sure!

 

[Trellum]

Most seeds don't need soaking 24 hrs or any soaking at all. The four o'clock seeds are just so hard, I guess soaking them helps soften the shell so the sprout can come thru easier.

I've always wanted to plant 4 o'clocks! I will have this in mind if I ever decide to get some seeds and plant them! I will for sure!

 

[gata montes]

I've always wanted to plant 4 o'clocks! I will have this in mind if I ever decide to get some seeds and plant them! I will for sure!

Just to let you know that Its not necessary to soak 4 O'Clock seeds prior to sowing

As although the old trick of soaking seeds overnight - is sometimes used to speed up the germination time of seeds that are either difficult or erratic germinators or ones that would normally take a long time to germinate.

It is not necessary to soak 4 O'clock seeds before sowing them - as apart from the fact that the plants are very prolific self - seeders - so much so that unless you keep them in check - your garden can very quickly be invaded by a forest of 4 O'clock plants - they are neither difficult or erratic germinators and normally germinate extremely rapidly and easily with a very high germination rate

 

[Trellum]

Yaaay Thanks, Gata! That's good to know! I'd not mind having a lot 4 o'clocks all around the garden They are so beautiful, I might really go for it in the future, is reasuring to know they are not so hard to grow, even from seed

 

[gata montes]

Yaaay Thanks, Gata! That's good to know! I'd not mind having a lot 4 o'clocks all around the garden They are so beautiful, I might really go for it in the future, is reasuring to know they are not so hard to grow, even from seed

My pleasure and really hope that you get the chance to grow some - especially as they are so super easy to grow from seed - in fact so much so that they often sprout without even being fully inserted in the soil and certainly well worth the effort - as they fill the evening air with a fragrance that is way beyond heavenly

 

[Trellum]

That description was more than enough for me to really motivate me to go for it in the future, to be honest I'd try it right now, but it really isn't possible right now I thought those flowers only looked beautiful, didn't know they had such a nice scent; so strong it can leave the air smelling nice

 

[gata montes]

Oh they do Trellum and as the scent fills the air with a heady perfume form early evening right through until mid morning the following day - its one of the main reasons why Four O'Clocks are one of my favorite summer plants - as I just love the scent and although I've said the scent is strong - is not strong in the sense of being unpleasantly over powering - as its strong but subtle and very much resembles that of my favorite perfume - Chanel No 5

So if you like Chanel No 5 - I know for sure that you will love having them around too