Over the past 4 years, I've had a lot of success from annual flower seeds from Swallowtail Seed. I usually order about $50 of petunias, impatiens, geraniums, etc. Last year, I had very good results with their Pinto Premium White to Rose Geranium seeds. Sadly, these are sold out now for 2015. Very strong, tall, profusely bloomers. This year from Burpee's, I will try Super Sugar Snap Peas in half whiskey barrels with a tomato cage as a trellis. Can't wait until it's time to plant. Using internet plans, I've made a PVC fluorescent plant light stand and am looking forward to trying that out.

I'm a fan of Swallowtail's seeds, too, Joe. They're among a very few pansy seed suppliers whose seed actually germinates and grows for me. Not saying that others' seeds wouldn't grow for most folks, but for pansy challenged peeps like me, they're great!

How did you germinate your pelargoniums? I've tried trade seeds several times with no luck. So far I've pretty much given up, and I've just gone back to buying plants instead.

I'm with you on starting peas...can't wait!!

chelle:

I've been starting pelargoniums from seed for a decade or so. I start with a mix of vermiculite, shredded sphagnum moss, and some perlite. No hard and fast measurements, just so it's "fluffy" and loose. I like shallow plastic containers like butter tubs or similar types. Holes in bottom and bottom watered till saturated. Place seeds on top of mix, sprinkle a very little more mix on top, just to keep them in place, and than into a seeding tray with plastic cover. I use a heating mat and place under plant lights on a timer with 16 hour time setting. There is a whole world of discussion over them needing dark to germinate or light, but I prefer them under the light tubes. Usually see growth in 3 to 4 days, and than transplant up to a 4" pot and on to a 6" pot with the same starting soil mix. Later, I pot up with good potting soils or put in the garden. It is a joy to see them germinate and know the beauty that will follow in their flowers. There are many, many ways to start them, and individual gardners have their preferred ways. This works for me. Good luck!

Thank you!

It's very likely that these are another one of those types of seeds that need warmer soil that what I've been providing. I may try using a heat mat this year.

Chelle, Don,t cover the seed much, just a sprinkle of seed soil. Also you could do the damp paper towel in a zip lock technique. Watch every day and then plant when you see germination.

Thanks Julia.

I do manage to germinate a lot of things using the baggie method, but so far the pelargoniums have remained stubborn.

They should be easy. Where do you get the seed?

These were several different types of trade seeds. No idea how old they were, or anything else. I've been tempted to order some ...just to see if the seeds themselves were the issue, but I haven't yet.

I think it must have been the seeds. These are so easy, order a package from some place. The spouts come up in 3-7 days. My problem with seed grown pels. is I never get a bloom on them until about 4th of July.

@chelle they are pretty easy so maybe the seeds you got were old? I've grown them often. Now I winter over a lot in the GH and then take cuttings so I haven't started seeds for a couple of years but I probably will add some more colors next year.

I get a lot of seeds from Swallowtail as well. We really like them! Our order should be arriving any day now. We have them sent to Jen and she takes what she wants and passes the rest to me. But she will keep some of mine to WS since it's challenging here because we don't get as much cold. Not this year tho!

Swallowtail has always been a good source for me too.
I like to order Lobelia from them--they have a good selection of colours.
Except the red, which I get from Stokes.

I like swallowtail as well. Anyone know whats up with Summerhill Seeds, they seem to be out of a bunch of variety's and been that way for some time.

Unfortunately Summerhill gets going way later than the rest of the seed companies. It really is just a very small seed vendor, I think Robin may even be the only employee, not sure though.

But I love her selection and I almost always get stuff from there late Spring......even though by then I REALLY don't need anything more!

Thanks Jennifer, I'm going to hold for her. I really like some of her seeds.

Yes, Julia she has really nice product. And she is wonderfully nice.

I've never even tried pels from seed. It's one of those annuals that are so readily available, and so cheap, here that I just buy them locally. Wax begonias too.

Karen

They get a good price for them here, anywhere from 3.95 and up to 5.95 per plant.

$9.95 for mature plants here last year.

I can't swear to what I paid last year but I think a big pel in a 4" pot it was $4 each if you buy 4 or more. Smaller sizes are cheaper. And I know that the wax begonias were $1.69 per six pack of cells.

Karen

The wax begonias are usually an affordable price.