Having Trouble Starting Lettuce fromSeeds

[Rozzie]

At least you don't have mystery peppers!

I had a row of peppers that didn't germinate. After waiting a LONG time, I got sick of waiting. I needed to plant a different kind of peppers, so I reused the cubes. (They should have germinated two weeks before.) So, I replanted in the same cubes. 3 days later, maybe 4, and peppers started germinating. I know that seems fast to some, but I commonly have peppers germinate in 3-5 days. So, hopefully, I'll have GREEN and BANANA peppers from those. I need those more than the original line of hot peppers from that row. I suspect I have my sweet peppers. The pack of hot peppers was a second germination attempt already! I'd already replanted them once...I suspect that pack of seeds is no-good. All my others grow at 100%, but that pack has now got 0/12 germination....

 

[thistlebloom]

I have Black Hungarians that only 2 in 14 sprouted Rozzie. (Yes I really did plant them!) I'm giving them another chance , I re-seeded another few containers just in case it was me the first time. .....I'm still waiting for sprouts, the Jimmy Nardellos that were sown at the same time have been up for four days now.

 

[Rozzie]

I didn't keep records last year and had a low pepper germination rate. I suspect it was due to this pack of seeds. I'm chucking them all into a pot later this year and if they grow, they grow. If not, they go.

 

[i_am2bz]

I didn't keep records last year and had a low pepper germination rate. I suspect it was due to this pack of seeds. I'm chucking them all into a pot later this year and if they grow, they grow. If not, they go.

Don't feel bad...I tried twice to start my own peppers this year, not a one germinated.

 

[citychickinthecountry]

Sounds like my issue with lettuce may be planting the seeds too far in the soil. I know they should be started about 1/4 inch but I think I have planted deeper than that.

I doubt my soil got too dry. I live in FL and our tens have been 80-90 during the day and 60-70 at night.

I am going to keep trying though. Thanks all for the advice.

 

[Rozzie]

A quarter inch is a bit deep. Just scatter a handful of soil around or lightly rake over the seeds and pat it down with your hands.

Rule of thumb for most seeds: plant as deep as the seed is wide (not long). Read though, too. There is some oddball type out there that you can't cover at all, for example.

 

[citychickinthecountry]

This is an oldie...but I have to post an update and I keep forgetting. I FINALLY GOT LETTUCE TO GROW!!! Yay!

Thanks so much everyone for your ideas and suggestions. I don't feel like a complete failure now. ;-p

Now, if I can only get my cucumber plants to stop dying before they produce cukes. Ugh! One lesson at a time though.