Assessment of Seeds-in-Cups

After setting out in March to demonstrate a virtually fool-proof low-cost method by which to grow seeds on a window sill, I have to say that things have not turned out as expected. The Basil, which is supposed to be easy to grow, has hardly grown, even after helping it along in a propagator. The Coriander, on the other hand, which is supposed to be difficult, has virtually romped away. The Dahlia seeds have grown steadily.

Although I had hoped to be showing you cups bursting over with young plants (so I am disappointed from this respect), things are not all bad.

Positives:

We at least have plants.
There has been no disease.
The plants are strong and healthy.
The costs have been negligible. i.e. They have been profitable to grow (something which, in my opinion, is too often overlooked).

Negatives:

Germination has not been as good as expected. The cold start to the season could have much to do with this. Even now, things are not really growing outside as they should.

Assessment of Costs

After the plastic cups, the biggest cost was the seeds. However, I still have most of them left, and if they are kept dry will be O.K. next year.

I used old compost which had been opened in the garage for about two and a half years. This is not ideal and could also be much of the trouble. But at least it didn't cost anything, as it should have been thrown out before now.

But the real point here is that we have succeeded in producing plants profitably - something which is very difficult to do by textbook methods. And this technique should be repeatable by even the most un-green-fingered among us. It should be almost fool-proof, though I cannot, of course, guarantee this.

This means that some more young gardeners have reached the first step of the growing ladder. Although things might still be difficult, we have now cleared the biggest hurdle.

P.S. Things are going much better with our watering of Geraniums. I hope to show you the results soon.

The Real Lesson

This is that it pays to follow the instructions to the letter when dealing with seeds. It is worth re-stating that the objective is to find a one-size-fits-all technique for growing. Seeds are particularly precarious and can require all sorts of special treatments. So to have achieved anything at all is almost a miracle.

The point is that with my methods, you will not get it right all of the time. But you should get by most of the time. If you need more specialised advice, there is lots of it on the Internet and in the local library. But I find this is overwhelming. It overwhelms me - And I am not a beginner.

I hope these simple exercises will help you get into growing. If only you can make a start, it could be very rewarding, in more ways than one.