Peat based (or a peat alternative) type compost is ideal.

Now this is the time to how many seeds you want to sow.

You will be sowing one tropaeolum seed in a plug pot (preferred) or peat pot.. So if you are sowing 20 seeds you will need, surprise, surprise 20 pots.

Sieve enough compost, on to your potting bench, or potting tidy/caddy, to pots.

Don't discard the sieved out lumps and bits. These can be used in the bottom of larger patio pots when planting them up with your own home grown plants. (Save the lumps and bits in an old compost bag until needed).

Fill the plug pots (preferred or peat pots with compost to about 5mm below the rim (this does not need to be exact - about 5mm will do).

Settle the compost in the pot by gently, *(and it must be gentle), tapping it on the potting bench.

Take your correct size tamper and gently level the surface of the compost. DON'T push the tamper with any force. All we want to do here is level off the surface of the compost, NOT compact it.

*This gives an ideal surface to sow the seed on. *(Doing this correctly will increase your propagation success rate)

That's it. You have now successfully filled your first tray or pot with compost.

Now Fill the rest of your trays or pots in the same way.

EQUIPMENT FOR THE JOB (OUTDOOR):

This is the fun part, sowing the seeds.

Tropaeolum seeds are large to handle individually quite easily.

Sow one seed on the surface centrally in each pot.

When you have sown all your seeds all that is needed is to cover the seeds with a very light "dusting" of sieved compost. Just enough to cover the seeds and no more.

When you have lightly covered all your seeds don't forget to label them with plant name and date of sowing.

Watering

Water your trays or pots with great care.

With your mist sprayer, set at it's finest spray, filled with tepid water and held at about 100mm (4 inch) from the pot or tray, lightly spray the surface of the compost. Don't get to close, or overdo it here, you will disturb the seeds which is exactly what you don't want to do!

The idea is to settle the surface of the compost with the fine mist from your sprayer. This prevents the seeds being disturbed.

Now fill a container, large enough to put the tray or pot in, with tepid water *(preferably water that has been standing in a warm place for about twenty-four hours) and definitely NOT rainwater, use good old tap water!

Stand the tray or pot in the container of water and leave it until you see the surface just becoming moist.

This usually happens fairly quickly so don't be tempted to go off and do something else.

*Do not overdo the watering process, you don't want the compost saturated, or your seeds may rot and not germinate.

*(By doing this correctly you will greatly increase your chance of success).

Germination

Cover your pots with glass or clear plastic (or preferably, for ease of use, place in a propagator - unheated will do).

Keep your tray or pot in the light, (not direct sunlight) and maintain a temperature of 15C to 20C (60F to 70F).

After Germination

When your seeds have germinated gradually remove the glass or plastic cover or gradually ventilate your propagator.

*Keep gradually increasing the ventilation for about a week until you can remove the glass, plastic or propagation cover without the seedlings wilting.

If the seedlings show any signs of wilting cover them over again with your glass, plastic or close the ventilation on your propagator cover.

Start agin increasing the ventilation until the seedlings show no signs of wilting.

Keep a careful eye on the watering and do not let the seedlings dry out.

*Do not overdo the watering process, you don't want the compost saturated, or your seedlings will rot and die.

Keep the transplanted seedlings in good light (not direct sunlight) until they are large enough to be harden off.

*(By doing this correctly you will greatly increase your chance of success).

The area where you intend sowing tropaeolum seeds should have been previously prepared. (Dug over and lightly fertilised at the end of last season).

(Do not overdo the fertilising as tropaeolum will produce an abundance of lush foliage at the expense of flowers in rich soils).

If organ matter is used it should be well rotted.

Make sure you remove all weeds and large stones.

Rake over the surface of the soil until you have a nice fine tilth.

Now you can scatter sow or sow in individual areas.

For scatter sowing just scatter the seeds where you want the tropaeolum to grow. Sow them thinly and lightly cover them with soil using the rake.

For individual area sowing mark out the sowing area with your silver sand from the plastic bottle and thinly sow the tropaeolum seeds within the marked areas.

All you have to do then is lightly cover the tropaeolum seeds with soil using your rake.

Whether scatter sowing or area sowing after covering the seeds with soil make sure you label the area with plant type and sowing date.

And of course don't forget to carefully water the seeds in.

Use your watering can with a *fine rose, turned upside down, and gently water the areas you have sown. Do not flood the area or have the watering can too high, or your seeds will be washed away and uncovered.

*Take care with your watering.

*(By doing this correctly you will greatly increase your chance of success).

Aftercare

Plants sown indoors should be gradually hardened off by placing them outside, in a sheltered position, during the day.

A cold frame with the lid open is ideal for this. If it is very cold during the day close the lid, but watch out for excess condensation.

If there is excess condensation prop the cold frame lid open slightly until the condensation disappears.

Bring them in at night to avoid severe frosts.

When they are ready for planting out, make sure it is after the last frosts.

For seeds sown outdoors in mid spring you may need to cover the emerging seedlings with fleece to protect against any late frosts.

If you have any queries or comments please feel free to

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