Flower seedlings - the second sowing

11 Apr '05 12:34 am

Following the advice of the seed packets, I've sown the second half of the seeds a few weeks later, for "extended flowering throughout the summer". The remaining 'Love in a Mist' Nigella seeds have mysteriously disappeared from the packet tho so they will only have one moment in the sun.

The first round of flower seedlings are doing well - the scented night stock are looking particularly healthy. The seedlings all look a little tender to replant into bigger containers yet.

The sunflower seedlings are coming along strongest, inevitably, with some reaching 5cm high. Having seen what the prevailing wind has done to my poor bronze flax, I'm beginning to doubt the wisdom of growing sunflowers at such a height. I might have to negotiate with him-downstairs to 'rent' some fence space...

The weather changed for the worst over the last few days - they predicted frosts, so I brought all the seedings inside. I made a temporary greenhouse out of the top bedroom - it's an attic conversion so the roof lights let lots of sun in, and the radiator isn't working so the room isn't over warm, just sheltered enough to protect from the frost.

In reality I can't imagine getting frost in the middle of London - the city's always 4 degrees warmer than the rest of the country, but it was too risky to chance. The seedlings are all outside again, now the April sunshine and showers are back.

19 Apr '05 10:35 am

They've grown so well that I've potted up the flower seedlings. So well, infact, that I've no idea where they are all going to go Embarassed

I'm still plucking up courage to ask the downstairs neighbour if he would like them. So far he is showing a lot of interest in his garden - pruning and clearing so much that he's uncovered whole walls I'd not noticed before. But wild (ish) flowers? A bit of a commitment...

The bulbs on the other hand are doing nothing. Nada. Zilch. Should I give up on them yet? Planted them on 20 March - 4 weeks ago. Not a sausage. How much patience should a bulb grower show? They are summer flowering bulbs but a hint of leaf poking through the soil wouldn't go amiss, if only to boost my confidence. I've kept them moist (too much water?) and in full sun (too hot? they're tropical, by goodness). Help!

In the mean time I'll amuse myself with watching seedlings grow. This week's interest is that the leader leaves are different to the following, 'normal' leaves. Curious.

Flower seedlings - the second sowing

Flower seedlings - the second sowing

Seedlings 1 - Bulbs 0