skip to main content

Growing from Seed

dark germination

20 years ago

i want to try to start some pansy seeds indoors. on the seed packet it says that they need dark to germinate, does this mean that i need to cover it with black plastic or newspaper then put the tray under my lights or do i not need to use my lights at all till they actually sprout?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

blueheron
20 years ago
You don't need to use lights until they actually sprout. A seed-starting book I have says, "All pansies need darkness to germinate and may benefit by placing in moistened medium in the refrigerator for several days prior to starting germination."
mollyzone5
20 years ago
I put the pots in a shoebox until they germinate,works every time.I have never given them a cold period,and they grow just fine.The shoebox works great for geraniums also.
Related Professionals
Middletown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Miami Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cedar Rapids Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · South Sioux City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Asheville Landscape Contractors · Abilene Landscape Contractors · Sterling Landscape Contractors · Kalispell Landscape Contractors · Vancouver Landscape Contractors · Birmingham Architects & Building Designers · West Plains Architects & Building Designers · Toms River Architects & Building Designers · Oklahoma City Architects & Building Designers · Alexandria Architects & Building Designers · Lewiston Architects & Building Designers

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Pseudognaphalium Obtusifolium, or Rabbit Tobacco

By Curtis Adams

This late-blooming native annual, also known as sweet everlasting, adds spontaneity to landscapes in the eastern United States

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Gentiana Andrewsii

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

If you’re a fan of closed flowers every autumn, then today is your lucky day!

GARDENING GUIDES Plant Black Cherry Trees for the Birds and Bees

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant Prunus serotina in the Central and Eastern U.S. for spring flowers, interesting bark and beautiful fall color

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Cotoneaster Lacteus

Parney cotoneaster is a low-maintenance, four-season shrub that offers great foliage, spring flowers and jewel-like berries

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Trillium Ovatum

Early-blooming Pacific trillium welcomes spring to woodland gardens in the Pacific Northwest

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Anemone Canadensis Adds Pizzazz to Water’s Edges

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant Canadian anemone along pond, lake or stream edges for a splash of white flowers in late spring

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Squash

By Marianne Lipanovich

Almost foolproof and with cheerful flowers, squash comes in a wide range of varieties to plant in spring

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plant a New Lawn From Sod

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Take the quick-start route to turf with sod; these installation guidelines will help ensure a healthy and long-lasting lawn

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

FLOWERS Herb Garden Essentials: Grow Your Own Fragrant Lavender

By Marianne Lipanovich

This do-it-all plant is ideal for almost any garden, and its uses are abundant around the home

Sponsored

More Discussions

GRASS SOS. Best thing to spread over grass seedlings?

6

Has anyone winter sown annual vinca from seed?

5

Propagating American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolius)

0