I like to consider myself a seed gardener, but can be pretty bad at it with germination rates. I am limited to a pot garden due to silly HOA. I've never really had the best germ rates. I sometimes even put my seedlings in a seed starter tray, but even that can be fatal. I just tried germing some Bee Balm (Monarda didyma 'Gardenview Scarlet') and I was STOKED when a few germinated since I understand this variety can be somewhat tough to germ. I was so happy. I then had the bright idea to put the little tiny tiny guys in the south facing sun. They were all dead the next day from the scorching sun. Here are some other failed attempts at other seeds.

* Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) | 2 months ago I planted the entire pack of sees out in a large pot in the south sun. Only one germinated and was severely stunted and died. I asked the supplier for another bag, which was sent out. Same issue.

* Zinnia (Zinnia elegans 'Redman Super Cactus') Painted Tongue (Salpiglossis sinuata 'Grandiflora Mix'), and Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza') | I planted all these nice annual seeds a month ago in different large pots out in the south sun again. Only two or three of the salpiglossis's germinated. Then only a handful of the cosmos and zinnia's germinated.

* Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) | These seeds were also planted a month ago in the south sun, but in a medium sized pot. Absolutely nothing germinated.

With all this misfortune occurring this spring I am not in the best spirits. I really feel like a failed flower gardener. I'd like that to change though with everyone's comments because I know this community is super helpful.

For starters I need to know what soil to be getting. I have been using this seed mix. I actually don't care for it so much because it dries out very easily. I think it's the peat in it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HVVKYNY/

Any input on soil is appreciated. Should I continue to use this mix, but mix it in with a small amount of compost? I do have this really nice mushroom compost from the store.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HVVKYNY/

Also, should I ONLY be planting seeds in seed starter trays? I think planting the seeds in the south facing sun and in huge pots is not doing me any favors. My north facing front porch is where I have my seed trays.

I just ordered a ton of seed trays from the gardener on Youtube, Epic Gardening. So by purchasing sturdy and high quality seed trays I think will help out. I also purchased a bottom tray. I'm interested to see how bottom watering will be.

Hook me up with your knowledge Thanks all for your time!

I've used Fertilome potting soil and found it to be high quality. Haven't used their seed starting mix. It's a reputable company.

I think one issue is the south facing sun. Too hot and drying for germination and sprouting. Bright indirect light is better or cover with screen, row cover or shade cloth. Keep the soil moist at all times at least until true leaves have developed. The second those tiny sprouts dry out they'll die.

East sun til 10 is most gentle...Most seeds like heat and light to germinate, I am told 6500 watts? indoors is best, for 14 to 16 hours. I know I sow in ground, but seeds won't budge til I am getting 11 hours of real sunlight. When I am hardening off, temps at night need to be 50*F lowest for them to survive well. If I am pinching and poking cuttings in a pot, they get full shade for a week before being put close to direct sun for any time. Germinating seeds, usually 80* to get them up, but then reduce temps - after all, we COOK our vegetables at pretty low temps and roots can cook as well as dry out.
Soils aren't what they once were, but seeds do want to grow when they think it is their time to shine. I will use a 'fines' leaf mold, or some potting soils like Happy Frog, or MG, and I also use a seed starting mix from a bag...if the seed is really small, use a very fine soil, but if the seeds are large, you can use a rougher soil.
Misting seeds is best to start, but you do want the roots to grow, and the top soil to stay soft, that is why the bottom watering, most plants don't like soggy feet. You will hear, rain falls on top of the plant and soil so why not top water? Well, I see gray cloudy days when it rains, and the air cools before the sun can blister tender leaves, I rarely have seen it rain in full sun unless I was cruising across our western states. There is an argument for using rainwater til sprouts are up, but it has no nutrition in it, however, city water that is safe for us to use has chloramines in it that plants do not like -it can stunt growth- unlike chlorine, chloramine cannot be removed easily from water...okay, I can quit rambling now, hope any of that was any help, happy sprouting!!!

Petabread said:
Hook me up with your knowledge :)

Here ya' go!

I usually recommend only university sources, but this info ( in the link below) I find very correct. Seed starting is a lot like cooking...
Ask any accomplished gardener, and their favorite 'soil' varies, as does technique.
But, they all follow 'germination recipes' that address soil, moisture, temperature, light, disease & pest mitigation, etc, that brings success.

This is one of the best seed-starting articles I've found, below. Many past posts here by the community can be pulled up by a search as well.

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/gr...

Ken

And yes, I use peat-based germination / seed-starting mixes almost exclusively when starting my seeds.

I start them in trays, indoors, under lights and often on heat mats with a temperature probe.
I find the more control of all the variables- the more germination I get.

@kenisaac Thank you for the recommendations. I don't really have the ability to grow indoors at all due to cats. Also, I am in zone 10a in Florida where we don't get frost. I'm sure the guide will still be of use such as soil usage.

Gosh, Peter, a zinnia fail......
Let's take a closer look.
I start my zinnia in jiffy peat plugs, indoors, in a room with a door (cats here, too) and east facing windows with sheer white curtains. I do not use heat mat or dome cover. I check twice a day to keep moist, but not wet. Once sprouted, I water with a few drops using a squeeze bottle twice a day if needed.
Once you are ready to transplant, gently peel the netting off the plug & direct plant as many seedlings as you want in your bigger pot. This pot must be put in the shade until your little seedlings are acclimated. Keep this pot moist but not wet. I think soil moisture in your hot climate is the key to success.
Me? I plant my saved zinnia seeds year after year in ground, in a 100 foot row.
I love my zinnias !

@katesflowers wow, those look incredible! Thanks for sharing. I take it zinnias are easy to grow?

I just googled Largo to find out where you are having so much difficulty.
On that peninsula, with the nice cool breezes off the gulf... plants on the east side of the house should be successful... if in a large enough container...

Having the hot tropical sun burn seedlings in pots is a common enough experience for most of us in the deep south...

We just have to protect the plants... limit exposure during the hot part of the day... as you've experienced.

You are on the right track... taking notes and observations is how we all learn about the specific conditions where we live.

Like kate, I find zinnias easy enough to grow... but... here where it's hot? I plant in the ground... and allow them to self sow like the poppies.

For you?
It's just going to depend on pot size.

I'm not seeing pics of your pots, but I suspect that we may have different ideas of what constitutes a large pot.

It's got to be large enough to keep the soil cool and not instantly dry out in the florida heat!

Not easy.

I think for now I decided I will start all my seeds via seed tray on my north facing porch. My main concern though is when should I actually transplant the seedlings from the seed tray to the other side of the townhome? When the plants have their first mature leaves or not necessarily?

Depends on how big they get how fast, first true leaves are the usual timer, but also depends on how well roots are doing for me... so tiny and frail at first..

Petabread said: . . . when should I actually transplant the seedlings from the seed tray to the other side of the townhome? When the plants have their first mature leaves or not necessarily?

At least one set of true leaves, possibly more. As Kat said, depends on size and vigor. Zinnias come up pretty strong right from the start.

But they must be hardened off gradually. Don't move seedlings straight into southern exposure.

Petabread said: I think for now I decided I will start all my seeds via seed tray on my north facing porch. My main concern though is when should I actually transplant the seedlings from the seed tray to the other side of the townhome? When the plants have their first mature leaves or not necessarily?

Start them where you intend them to grow.
Starting on the north porch means the plants grow w/o light... moving these tender plants into the sun... more of the same.
I think you should throw out that seed tray... it's giving you nothing but problems.
Start the seeds in the large pot!

I vote with: Start on the north
and Let them get much more than one set of true leaves before moving. and gradually transition them to the strong sun and heat.
By the way, some Asclepias need stratification -cold - for germination

sallyg said: some Asclepias need stratification -cold - for germination...

And echinacea...
Always works best to plant outdoors in the autumn... where they get natural cold stratification.
Not sure how the green house growers do it... refrigerate?

Here's a point...
Your conditions in Florida are very different from conditions in the gardens to the north... follow their recommendations if you must... but I urge you to consider my experience with subtropical gardening.

The sun down here is a different experience than what the northern gardeners experience.

Petabread, I share your frustration about seeds and germination!

After 3 years of failed attempts to grow tomatoes, purple hyacinth vine, bird peppers and squash from seeds, using all kinds of trays, etc., I tried something crazy different this year, out of desperation.

I planted all seeds using Miracle Gro regular potting mix in 2" peat pots. Put them in (labeled) Ziploc bags and watered them really wet in the bags, then sealed them. Placed them in my morning-sunny kitchen window and they became little greenhouses. Didn't look for 10 days. Voila!

Once the sprouts were a few inches tall, I opened the tops of the bags to allow air in. When secondary leaves came in, I set the pots in a cake pan outside under a bushy Nandina and kept them watered. Then when taller and stronger, gradually introduced them to sunnier spots. Then put them in their container gardens right in their peat pots. This worked for me this year! So happy! Here are photos of the bird pepper seedlings and the Roma tomatoes I started…

Good luck!

@ImaPlanterNTx I love this! Great idea. I actually planted some more seed a week ago and had a similar greenhouse idea. I put some wrap over the seeds trays and it's been creating a nice greenhouse. I need to check on them so will keep you updated.

@ImaPlanterNTx I just peaked today and I have germination!

For another method with a high success rate for germination see:
https://www.dailykos.com/stori...