Running out of room

Space is a problem. I've just transplanted 31 acrolinium, and 18 aster seedlings into individual pots. These are now taking up even more space in our one bedroomed flat. At least the wind has dropped so the broad beans and sweet peas have gone back outside on the balcony. The tomatoes have gone outside tonight as well as it is mild here, but will need to keep an eye on them. My spreadsheet tells me I should be sowing the broccoli, leeks and lettuce in modules this month, but they are just going to have to wait until there is a bit more space.

Aster germination

The asters are showing signs of germination three days after sowing (usual germination 7-21 days). They have been living on the kitchen windowsill, with plastic bags over them. They were bit difficult to photo, so here is an image of the aubergines, which are next to them and coming along OK.

Any day now we are going to be overun by plants, as the hot peppers need potting on in the next few days, the acrolinium are growing fast, and there are still so many other seeds to sow.

I am beginning to think I am a bit obsessed by my seedlings, but it is so exciting to see them growing, and I keep imagining the fantastic vegetables and flowers we will have this year.

Speedy seeds

Speedy seeds
Originally uploaded by Marj Joly.

The acrolinium started to germinate yesterday and here they are this morning. Looks like it doesn't really matter how they were sown, they are all coming up fine.

Two other varieties of flower seeds were sown on February 26th - Rudbeckia (Chim Chiminee), and Aster (Florette Champagne). These may be more challenging fo me, as need more heat to germinate, both could take up to 21 days to germinate.

Acrolinium

Sown some acrolinium double mixed (also known as everlasting flowers) this morning in pots indoors. Need to be at 16-18 degrees to germinate. Not really sure of the best way to sow them, and couldn't find any specific information. So have sown some under a light covering of compost, some others about 2cm deep, and some others under what I thought was vermiculite, but is probably just small stones.

Now planning on getting some vermiculite, as know we will need this later on for some other flower seeds.

The tomatoes were growing themselves out of their seed trays, so have transplanted 14 small plants into larger pots (about 2-3inch). So they are looking much happier already - but that was before I put them outside on the balcony. Plants that live here have to learn how to survive early on out on the balcony as there is just not enough space inside our small flat for them all. They will come in at night if it gets too cold.

Now off to the plot, and then to the allotment society committee meeting.