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JLJ_ · April 16, 2014

My Anna Russians came up fine . . . but then I do use a variation of the DE method.

I start seeds in 16oz cups, bottom 1/4 sterilized Miracle Grow potting soil, bring it up to a little over half full with sterilized sphagnum peat (both slightly moist and pressed down gently to firm), shallow dip in top, seed(s) on top of moist peat, covered thinly with perhaps 1/4 inch of DE (Ultrasorb . . . from O'Reilly's Auto supply I believe). Sometimes I put a *very* thin layer of moist peat over the seed before the DE layer -- but usually not, this year. I water lightly from the top, frequently enough to keep top barely moist, with a tiny bit -- few grains -- of Miracle Grow in the water, until germination.

I get 100% germination -- or something close to that -- on most varieties, Anna Russian included.

I had a few that stayed in doormat emulation mode, though -- if your other seeds did well, perhaps Anna Russian was just one of your shirkers this year.

If I had plenty of seed of a no-show variety I gave the first seeding a week or so, then planted more, gave them a week, then planted more, etc. Some purchased 2012 Sophie's Choice got that treatment -- then all of a sudden seedlings, from all sowings, began showing up. Germination still wasn't up to the standard of most, but is up to about 50% or a little more -- and with the repeated sowing I should have plenty of Sophie's Choice this year -- if they can survive hail, wind, deer, flea beetles, etc.

April 16, 2014	#6
JLJ_ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 759	My Anna Russians came up fine . . . but then I do use a variation of the DE method. I start seeds in 16oz cups, bottom 1/4 sterilized Miracle Grow potting soil, bring it up to a little over half full with sterilized sphagnum peat (both slightly moist and pressed down gently to firm), shallow dip in top, seed(s) on top of moist peat, covered thinly with perhaps 1/4 inch of DE (Ultrasorb . . . from O'Reilly's Auto supply I believe). Sometimes I put a very thin layer of moist peat over the seed before the DE layer -- but usually not, this year. I water lightly from the top, frequently enough to keep top barely moist, with a tiny bit -- few grains -- of Miracle Grow in the water, until germination. I get 100% germination -- or something close to that -- on most varieties, Anna Russian included. I had a few that stayed in doormat emulation mode, though -- if your other seeds did well, perhaps Anna Russian was just one of your shirkers this year. If I had plenty of seed of a no-show variety I gave the first seeding a week or so, then planted more, gave them a week, then planted more, etc. Some purchased 2012 Sophie's Choice got that treatment -- then all of a sudden seedlings, from all sowings, began showing up. Germination still wasn't up to the standard of most, but is up to about 50% or a little more -- and with the repeated sowing I should have plenty of Sophie's Choice this year -- if they can survive hail, wind, deer, flea beetles, etc.