Seedlings

So now, I have germination from all except indigo rose for which the few sprouts died.  I can't believe how terrible the miracle gro potting mix was for germination.  "Mix" is not soil - it's  more like sticks and wood chips with a smidge of dirt.  Plus it quickly led to an infestation of tiny black flies called mildew flies.  They are harmless, just annoying.

More germination

From the new Burpee starter.  Airyleaf, CP, a couple others are emerging as of today ~7 days after sowing.  Since the Burpee planter is kinda of raised off the heat mat, the mat may not be helping much, but it's encouraging.

Crummy germination

Well I mistakenly used ordinary potting mix for seeds on march 1.  1. It's full of sticks.  2. It gets waterlogged and doesn't drain well.  So only about 4 varieties had any germination.   On March 11 I replanted almost all varieties in a Burpee tray with better substrate - like coconut fiber/ peat moss stuff.  And better system for keeping moist but not too wet.  

March 8 2014

7 days after sowing indoors:  I put 1 seed per cup, at least 6 per variety; even with heat pad several varieties don't have sprouts yet.  Perhaps I need to reseed to be sure.  Last year I put 2 seeds per cup and reseeded some.  However it can take up to 2 weeks for germination especially without heat.

2014 has begun

This year I plan to have a more limited set of tomatoes in the home garden, while renting a plot at a local farm for more varieties.  On March 1 I started seeds indoors. Here's the list.  6 seeds each: Airyleaf, Better Bush ( hybrid), Black from Tula,  Green Zebra, Hawaiian Currant, Kellogg's Breakfast, Mortgage Lifter, Orange Slicer (hybrid), Pink Pong Pong, Red Pear, SuperSauce (hybrid).  8 each: Black Cherry, Flamme, Cherokee Purple; 12 of Indigo Rose. Also, extra HC and RP for Josh's school, for fun.  

As of March 5 some sprouts have emerged over the heat pad.