spearmint germination

[retropants]

I have sowed some spearmint seeds, as I drink spearmint tea everyday, and thought I could have a go at growing my own. Thing is, they are just sitting there, 3 weeks on, nothing has come up.
They are in modules (a sprinkle of seeds per) and covered with a thin layer of vermiculite. I left them on the greenhouse shelf for 2 1/2 weeks and, since nothing happened, I put them in an open propagator a few days ago.
Does anybody know how long is normal for the mint family please?

thankyou!

[Johnboy]

Hi Retropants,
Spearmint as most other Mints can be very precarious things to germinate. If anything it is something that I would sow when we a in a warm weather condition so if anything a bit early. There is no reason to panic just so long as you keep them just moist then just stick with them and be prepared to wait quite a time yet.
JB.

[PLUMPUDDING]

If they don't germinate, you could buy a plant or beg a root from someone who grows it. It is extremely easy to grow from root cuttings and you'll soon have more than you need.

Sorry I'm not much help regarding the seeds, but I've only ever planted cuttings.

It is delicious and makes lovely tea.

[Johnboy]

Hi Plumpudding,
I agree with you wholeheartedly that cuttings are the best way to propagate Mints. Lets face it you only need a few plants and you then have to start controlling them. I have tried over the years tried to grow from seed on a commercial basis and have failed miserably.
If you buy just one plant and allow it to establish the amount of plants you can propagate later on in the year or the following year is totally amazing. If you were to take 10 cuttings the following year you would be able to take at least a 100 and multiply that over the years and it turns into a global supply!
JB.

[Geoff]

We bought one in a pot from Lidl for 69p that was supposed to be a kitchen windowsill plant. A few weeks in the greenhouse, a few quick snips and now we have a fine clump of 5 in the garden about 2 months on. That was top cuttings not root cuttings.

[retropants]

thanks all, for your very helpful comments. I have kept the original sowing just in case. I've also re-sowed a tray and popped it straight in the propagator. I do have a small plant for cuttings, but I just thought it would be easy to grow about 12 clumps from seed.
I have an empty old bath at the allotment, which hopefully by the end of the season will be 'the mint bath'. Can't wait for the tea! I am almost out of the bought stuff!

thanks again!
Emma.