Project Spring 2014

[Farhan Ahmed]

Now correctamundo but still slight contradiction here, clay will always retain more moisture than others Sand/silt whether its sunny or shade.

[Tahir Khan]

Have you ever noticed a cement plastered wall at night after a good baking in the sun all day.....same is with the sandy medium...cacti (root structure)will freeze to death (according to my theory) if the medium loses heat at night time in Dec-Jan....

but for seeds its a different story the seedlings will of course bake if they are planted in a sandy medium in full sun.. so if you are planning to sow in a sandy situ sort of situation provide some shade...

light shade (Heavy shade will effect germination because of less light)..if not possible go for peat moss or compost mixed with sand it will help ease the burning sensation to the seedlings.

[Tahir Khan]

Now correctamundo but still slight contradiction here, clay will always retain more moisture than others Sand/silt whether its sunny or shade.

I doubt that claim by the nurserymen..have to experiment if clay will retain moisture in hot sun or not...but on cloudy days it will..

[Farhan Ahmed]

I agree that sand will heat up and cool quickly. Which is the IDEAL REQUIREMENT in SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER for seed sowing. of course the said seedlings will be at different place when frost/winter arrives.

Now your second point. I do not plan to use sand while sowing in situ. Because my soil is sandy loam which is already ideal for germination. My only concern is damping off because of which i would start delicate plants in pots, whereas for in situ i will amend the soil with little sterile media such as compost before sowing.

Now we should keep in mind the essence of in situ sowing that is plants which despise transplanting. Now lets say i want Nasturtiums to be sown in situ. As they require full sun i can never start seeds in partial sun, because its against the requirement of the plant. We should also keep in mind that seed which are sown in situ are very very hardy as regards to germination and environment. Unless you soil is extremely sandy, do not worry about moisture in ground. Water once with generous heart and ground will protect your seedlings with whatever heat arrives in Sep/October.

[Farhan Ahmed]

Now correctamundo but still slight contradiction here, clay will always retain more moisture than others Sand/silt whether its sunny or shade.

I doubt that claim by the nurserymen..have to experiment if clay will retain moisture in hot sun or not...but on cloudy days it will..

This is not a claim, its a proven fact.

[Tahir Khan]

Hahahaha, it may be a proven fact but i am yet to witness it

[Tahir Khan]

I agree that sand will heat up and cool quickly. Which is the IDEAL REQUIREMENT in SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER for seed sowing. of course the said seedlings will be at different place when frost/winter arrives.

Now your second point. I do not plan to use sand while sowing in situ. Because my soil is sandy loam which is already ideal for germination. My only concern is damping off because of which i would start delicate plants in pots, whereas for in situ i will amend the soil with little sterile media such as compost before sowing.

Now we should keep in mind the essence of in situ sowing that is plants which despise transplanting. Now lets say i want Nasturtiums to be sown in situ. As they require full sun i can never start seeds in partial sun, because its against the requirement of the plant. We should also keep in mind that seed which are sown in situ are very very hardy as regards to germination and environment. Unless you soil is extremely sandy, do not worry about moisture in ground. Water once with generous heart and ground will protect your seedlings with whatever heat arrives in Sep/October.

Sounds plausible, one point though..what about elements such as RAINS.. they can ruin a sowing plan in an instant....sowing of larger seeds like Lupin, sweet peas and nasturtiums is possible and they will not get disturbed even in heavy rains..but what about smaller seeds??? The seeds that we all are going to sow are quite expensive imported from abroad...a strategy must be devised before hand owing to these impediments

[Farhan Ahmed]

Let me share the list of plants i will be sowing in situ and nothing else. Secondly October onwards heavy rain are rare.
Dahlia, Phlox, Helichrysum, Hollyhock, Dahlberg, linum, Calendula, Sweetpea, Virginia Stock, Gaillardia, Amberboa, Scabiosa, Malva, Dimor, Candytuft, Larkspur, Poppy, Chrysanthemum carnatum, Nasturtium, Sunflowers, Cineraria, Osteospermum and dianthus.

All of the above are hardy of environment, Germinate well even in adverse conditions. Rest everything goes in controlled environment.

[Tahir Khan]

what are you sowing in controlled temps ??

[Farhan Ahmed]

Its a long list with many surprises .