What's slow to germinate for you this year

NCTIM · February 28, 2007

I have an unfortunate pattern that is starting to develope.

Last year I really wanted to grow Berkeley Tye Die. I had excellent germination on pretty much everything but BTD.

This year I am excited about growing Chapman and Kalamans Hungarian Pink. Guess what--- They are two of the lowest % germination that I started. Kalamans has a germination rate of 25% and Chapman isn't much better at 33%. The seed were started on 2/12.

I started a second time and the results so far are only a little better. Kalamans is at 38% and Chapman is at 33%.

I started 39 varieties this year and most have a germination rate better than 70% and many had 100%.

Are you having trouble with any?

Tim

**nctomatoman** · February 28, 2007

You are right - every year it is something! I've planted 70 varieties thus far - most difficult to germinate - Cherokee Green (2006 saved seed - 4 seedlings from 50 seeds!), Mexico Midget (2004 saved seed, 50 seeds, no seedlings!), Red Robin (2006 saved seed, 6 seedlings from 21 seeds) are the only ones giving me trouble - it is clear that the fermentation process ran into troubles with those three! All have been replanted using seeds from different years - all in all, my germination rate on tomatoes is excellent, hot peppers and eggplant pretty good, and sweet peppers fair to good. Oh yes - Cossack Pineapple husk tomato - last year the seed germinated near 100%, this year same seed - complete failure to this point!

BR · February 28, 2007

Box Car Willie and Red Rose have ZERO germination for me after 11 days in 70-80* soil. Only one Mexico for the same 11 days. Earl's Faux has none after 9 days. I planted 5-10 seeds per cubicle. My hybrids are sprouting in 3-4 days with a much higher germination rate that the heirlooms... anyone know if that's typical for hybrids?

NCTIM · February 28, 2007

BR, let me offering a possible explanation for the better germination for your hybrids. As Craig said in prior post

Quote:

it is clear that the fermentation process ran into troubles with those three!

I'm humbly suggesting that the seed companies may have better controls that maintain seed viability. I know that things come up for me that can put tomatoes on the back burner for a few days and darn it I had seed fermenting oops. Just a guess.

Earls faux and other OP's had 100 % for me as did as did Brandy Boy and Sungold (hybrids)

Here is another strange seed starting example.

I did a germination test a couple of months ago on the seed I fermented last summer. Stump of the World had 70% germination in 7 days. Now that I've started the real deal I got 50% after 14 days. A secong attempt has given me just 6% after 8 days.

Tim

**nctomatoman** · February 28, 2007

BR, there is nothing inherently different about the ability of hybrids to germinate faster/stronger/better than non-hybrid tomato varieties. In my opinion, and from my experience, it is all about the condition of the particular seed (age, how it was stored, how it was fermented, etc).

I am getting great germination from a few samples of 7 year old seed - 25 for 25, germination in 3 days. And, as I said above, some abysmal germination from some 1 year old seed. But fortunately, those examples are rare this year!

Biscombe · March 3, 2007

For me Its mule team, not a sign of life there! monkey *** have been poor too

vermiit · March 6, 2007

Last year, I had big problems with BTD. This year, from seed I fermented, it came up just fine. My 'no shows' are Carbon and Golden Cherokee (SSE request). A couple of 'Stick' keep circling in the hole and won't come UP. And a Momotaro (yike!) is a no show. Just as well, eh?

**Lee** · March 6, 2007

Maiden's Kiss, Yellow Stuffer, and Berkley Tie-Dye are my no-shows so far this year. (It's only been 5 days though....)

The other 27 have all come up with 20~100% germination.

4 year old Giant Syrian was the first on the scene in 4 days and has 100% germination.

So far, I've been pleased.

Lee

Suze · March 6, 2007

Out of around 118 varieties, I had 75-100% germ with everything except 7 varieties from one source (zero germ). Later found out this was related to problematic fermentation; no biggie -- mistakes happen -- and I had plenty of other alternative choices to try anyway.

**nctomatoman** · March 6, 2007

Most impressive for me this year - 11 year old Cherokee Purple and Lillian's Yellow seed - germination in 4 days...

With dense planting, it is hard to count seedlings - so I will have to wait until transplanting begins in Mid-March to document germination percentages.

shelleybean · March 6, 2007

Craig, is that the Ocracoke lighthouse? Nice picture!

For me, slow pokes are Elfie, Dr. Neal, Evergreen and two pesky peppers that are just killing me, Rocotillo and Aji Dulce 2, though I must admit my AD2 seed is a few years old. I'm still being patient with the tomatoes but it's almost three weeks with the peppers and they're on a heating mat.

**nctomatoman** · March 6, 2007

Michele, eagle eye! Yes, the lighthouse from one of our very favorite places in the universe!!!!

shelleybean · March 6, 2007

One of our favorite places too. We used to go several times each year and stay at Boyette House but I'm not sure it's still there. It used to be there on the left as you drove into town from the ferry. One day, when our kids are a little older, we'll be able to have some time to ourselves again. I'm very lucky to live by the beach here but I love that the beach there is so wide and open. It's really an amazing little island.

natural · March 7, 2007

Out of around 100 varieties so far, these have had very low (<25% ) germ. Everything else had been good.

Mexico Midget
Blondkopfchen
Green Grape
Bulgarian Triumph (zero of 12)
Kosovo (1 of 12)
Dr Wyche
Japenese Trifele Yellow (1 of 12)

DavidinCT · March 8, 2007

12 days from starting:

50% for Inverno a grappoli and Orange Pixie

66% for Matina

83% for Kimberly, Early Girl and Yellow Canary

100% for Glacier and Lime Green Salad.

February 28, 2007	#1
NCTIM Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: zone 8 NC Posts: 286	What's slow to germinate for you this year I have an unfortunate pattern that is starting to develope. Last year I really wanted to grow Berkeley Tye Die. I had excellent germination on pretty much everything but BTD. This year I am excited about growing Chapman and Kalamans Hungarian Pink. Guess what--- They are two of the lowest % germination that I started. Kalamans has a germination rate of 25% and Chapman isn't much better at 33%. The seed were started on 2/12. I started a second time and the results so far are only a little better. Kalamans is at 38% and Chapman is at 33%. I started 39 varieties this year and most have a germination rate better than 70% and many had 100%. Are you having trouble with any? Tim __________________ "You can observe a lot by just watching." - Yogi Berra

February 28, 2007	#2
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	You are right - every year it is something! I've planted 70 varieties thus far - most difficult to germinate - Cherokee Green (2006 saved seed - 4 seedlings from 50 seeds!), Mexico Midget (2004 saved seed, 50 seeds, no seedlings!), Red Robin (2006 saved seed, 6 seedlings from 21 seeds) are the only ones giving me trouble - it is clear that the fermentation process ran into troubles with those three! All have been replanted using seeds from different years - all in all, my germination rate on tomatoes is excellent, hot peppers and eggplant pretty good, and sweet peppers fair to good. Oh yes - Cossack Pineapple husk tomato - last year the seed germinated near 100%, this year same seed - complete failure to this point! __________________ Craig

February 28, 2007	#5
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	BR, there is nothing inherently different about the ability of hybrids to germinate faster/stronger/better than non-hybrid tomato varieties. In my opinion, and from my experience, it is all about the condition of the particular seed (age, how it was stored, how it was fermented, etc). I am getting great germination from a few samples of 7 year old seed - 25 for 25, germination in 3 days. And, as I said above, some abysmal germination from some 1 year old seed. But fortunately, those examples are rare this year! __________________ Craig

March 6, 2007	#8
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Maiden's Kiss, Yellow Stuffer, and Berkley Tie-Dye are my no-shows so far this year. (It's only been 5 days though....) The other 27 have all come up with 20~100% germination. 4 year old Giant Syrian was the first on the scene in 4 days and has 100% germination. So far, I've been pleased. Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

March 6, 2007	#10
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Most impressive for me this year - 11 year old Cherokee Purple and Lillian's Yellow seed - germination in 4 days... With dense planting, it is hard to count seedlings - so I will have to wait until transplanting begins in Mid-March to document germination percentages. __________________ Craig

February 28, 2007	#3
BR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 71	Box Car Willie and Red Rose have ZERO germination for me after 11 days in 70-80* soil. Only one Mexico for the same 11 days. Earl's Faux has none after 9 days. I planted 5-10 seeds per cubicle. My hybrids are sprouting in 3-4 days with a much higher germination rate that the heirlooms... anyone know if that's typical for hybrids?

March 3, 2007	#6
Biscombe Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Spain Posts: 22	For me Its mule team, not a sign of life there! monkey *** have been poor too

March 6, 2007	#7
vermiit Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: z 14, California Posts: 137	Last year, I had big problems with BTD. This year, from seed I fermented, it came up just fine. My 'no shows' are Carbon and Golden Cherokee (SSE request). A couple of 'Stick' keep circling in the hole and won't come UP. And a Momotaro (yike!) is a no show. Just as well, eh?

March 6, 2007	#9
Suze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,027	Out of around 118 varieties, I had 75-100% germ with everything except 7 varieties from one source (zero germ). Later found out this was related to problematic fermentation; no biggie -- mistakes happen -- and I had plenty of other alternative choices to try anyway.

March 6, 2007	#11
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	Craig, is that the Ocracoke lighthouse? Nice picture! For me, slow pokes are Elfie, Dr. Neal, Evergreen and two pesky peppers that are just killing me, Rocotillo and Aji Dulce 2, though I must admit my AD2 seed is a few years old. I'm still being patient with the tomatoes but it's almost three weeks with the peppers and they're on a heating mat. __________________ Michele

March 7, 2007	#14
natural Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North GA Posts: 530	Out of around 100 varieties so far, these have had very low (<25% ) germ. Everything else had been good. Mexico Midget Blondkopfchen Green Grape Bulgarian Triumph (zero of 12) Kosovo (1 of 12) Dr Wyche Japenese Trifele Yellow (1 of 12)

March 8, 2007	#15
DavidinCT Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Connecticut Zone 6B Posts: 88	12 days from starting: 50% for Inverno a grappoli and Orange Pixie 66% for Matina 83% for Kimberly, Early Girl and Yellow Canary 100% for Glacier and Lime Green Salad.