Parsnip Seeds

Digger
Sprout

Finally it's warm!

Posts: 74

Parsnip Seeds May 23, 2015 19:49:28 GMT

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Post by Digger on May 23, 2015 19:49:28 GMT

Yet again I have wasted my time trying to use my leftover parsinp seeds from last year.
I shan't bother again - they are notoriously rubbish at germinating after the year you bought them.
I finally got some new seeds today and planted them too.
Rather than trying to save any this time, I have instead bought a small packet and sowed them thickly, using them all up so I'm not tempted to try and finish them next year!
I'll just thin them out as I need too.
Has anyone else ever managed to get any to germinate more than a year after you bought them?

Last Edit: May 23, 2015 19:50:34 GMT by Digger

redpepper
Seed

Posts: 8

Parsnip Seeds May 24, 2015 18:05:29 GMT

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Post by redpepper on May 24, 2015 18:05:29 GMT

I got fed up waiting for parsnip seeds to appear as well - in the end I used damp paper towel in a seed tray - scattered the seed (old or new) on the towel and covered with cling film. Keep the seeds damp at all times and usually quite a few will germinate quite quickly if kept on a warm windowsill. I then put one or two on top of toilet roll inner tubes and cover with compost. Make sure you transplant the tubes directly into the ground before the root appears but with as much top growth as possible. I've done this for a lot of years now and find it virtually foolproof - just do more than you actualy want as there will be failures. Tadah!!!!

Digger Sprout Finally it's warm! Posts: 74	Parsnip Seeds May 24, 2015 18:12:28 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Digger on May 24, 2015 18:12:28 GMT Thanks, I've still got the packet from last year that failed to germinate any in the ground, I'll try your method and let you know how i get on

Digger Sprout Finally it's warm! Posts: 74	Parsnip Seeds May 25, 2015 18:56:21 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Digger on May 25, 2015 18:56:21 GMT I've just sorted out a large pot tray with a load of parnips seeds. I'll get a photo every day til i get any results - fingers crossed

Digger Sprout Finally it's warm! Posts: 74	Parsnip Seeds May 26, 2015 21:15:12 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Digger on May 26, 2015 21:15:12 GMT No sign of germination yet...

Digger Sprout Finally it's warm! Posts: 74	Parsnip Seeds May 27, 2015 20:53:55 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Digger on May 27, 2015 20:53:55 GMT Still no sign of anything...

redpepper Seed Posts: 8	Parsnip Seeds May 27, 2015 22:05:53 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by redpepper on May 27, 2015 22:05:53 GMT It takes at least a week and sometimes more before you see the sprouting

Digger Sprout Finally it's warm! Posts: 74	Parsnip Seeds May 28, 2015 12:00:38 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Digger on May 28, 2015 12:00:38 GMT Thanks, I'll not bin them quite yet then!

Digger
Sprout

Finally it's warm!

Posts: 74

Parsnip Seeds Jun 4, 2015 9:15:10 GMT

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Post by Digger on Jun 4, 2015 9:15:10 GMT

Quick update - still no sign. The seeds are meant to be OK until September 2015, but were opened last year. Might this be a problem?
Someone has told me that they might not germinate if the temperature goes above 20 degrees C, not heard that before, nor do I know if it's true - it sounds a bit unlikely to me to be honest.
I'll keep them going for another week or so, my wife says they now look like any number of my other abandoned projects haha (cheeky woman!)

Digger Sprout Finally it's warm! Posts: 74	Parsnip Seeds Jun 5, 2015 8:36:01 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Digger on Jun 5, 2015 8:36:01 GMT Still no sign of any activity. I've moved them into my garage now to see if the dark makes a difference...

Digger
Sprout

Finally it's warm!

Posts: 74

Parsnip Seeds Jun 11, 2015 20:37:00 GMT

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Post by Digger on Jun 11, 2015 20:37:00 GMT

I've given up on this experiment now.
The new packet of parsnip seeds that i planted out directly have germinated well.
None of last year's that I tried in the tray on tissue and under cling film have germinated.
I think this basically confirms that you might as well either use ALL you parsnip seed the year you buy/open it, or give away what you won't be using cos its nothing more than confetti by the time next year comes round.

Worth a go though.

Next year i will spread some of my "new" seed on damp tissue to see how that goes. If it works I'll pop the germinated ones into paper tubes of compost etc

Post by Digger on May 23, 2015 19:49:28 GMT

Post by redpepper on May 24, 2015 18:05:29 GMT

Post by Digger on May 24, 2015 18:12:28 GMT

Post by Digger on May 25, 2015 18:56:21 GMT

Post by Digger on May 26, 2015 21:15:12 GMT

Post by Digger on May 27, 2015 20:53:55 GMT

Post by redpepper on May 27, 2015 22:05:53 GMT

Post by Digger on May 28, 2015 12:00:38 GMT

Post by Digger on Jun 4, 2015 9:15:10 GMT

Post by Digger on Jun 5, 2015 8:36:01 GMT

Post by Digger on Jun 11, 2015 20:37:00 GMT