Seed Sorting Once More

OK, this will probably be the last seed sorting post for a week or two, once all of these current seeds are well on their way to become beautiful plants!!!

• Begonia Boliviensis 'Bonfire' - the seeds of these are teeny, so they will be surface sown and then put somewhere humid to endure that the top of the compost doesn't dry out.
  
• Lobelia 'Sapphire' - pretty much routing sowing for these. I'll be sowing them in large cell trays, a pinch of seed to each cell so that nice bushy clumps are produced. They'll be left to germinate in the greenhouse as it's starting to get pretty warm in there now when a little sun hits it.
• Marigold 'Dwarf Double Mix' - like the Lobelia, not really exotic but some simple plants to grow that provide an easy splash of colour. These will also be left in the greenhouse to germinate.
• Tacca Nivea & Chantrieri - have had these seeds for a while so not sure how good germination rate will be, pretty much routine sowing although they will be kept on the heat mat as high temperatures are needed for germination.
• Dragon Fruit - not actually collected from an actual fruit, but sent to me by a friend, these will be sown in a gritty potting mix, and will be kept in a humid environment. Soaking can be beneficial, although I don't think I'll soak them as they're tiny!!!
• Iochroma 'Plum Beauty' - these seeds were also sent to me by a friend, and are related to the Brugmansia. They are absolutely tiny, but require no special treatment. It has however been suggested that starting them on moist paper towels would give better germination rate.
• Texas Start Hibiscus (Hibiscus Coccineus) - again received these seeds from a friend. They have beautiful big flowers, and are quite easy to grow in warmer climates apparently, so I might try some outside over Summer but I may keep one or two in the greenhouse as well. All they need is a bit of warmth to germinate, so that part shouldn't be oo difficult!!!
• Agapanthus - apparently these seeds don't store well, but I'll plant 'em anyway! Pretty routine sowing method for these again.
• Callistemon Rigidus - although taking a couple of years to get to flowering size from seed, it should be interesting to watch them grow. Routine seed sowing method for these also, although I might soak them a little first as they look very dry and in need of some water to break through the hard coat.
• And finally, I have a bunch of different Echinacea (Coneflower) seeds to be sowing.Some suggest that a cool period may aid germination, so I will sow these and leave them outside for a week or two, and then move them onto the heated propagator in the greenhouse.

As I said, that's it for the seed sorting posts for a week or two, I should have some more interesting stuff to post over the next couple of days, as everything's bursting into growth with this mild weather!