Kitchen Garden Forum

I had some old Little Gem seed but not technically out of date. However, I hadn't stored it too well so wasn't surprised when I had poor germination. So bought a 'fresh' packet from Wilkinsons for 80P. Absolutely zero germination. My latest attempt is with Johnsons at more than twice the price. Am awaiting results!

I do think storage temperature of lettuce (and probably other seeds) makes a difference to germination. One winter I kept a batch of seed packets in the living room (including lettuce) where the temperature was obviously much higher than my normal garage storage, and I also got poor germination results. The lettuce germination was also zilch I seem to remember.

Colin Miles wrote:My latest attempt is with Johnsons at more than twice the price. Am awaiting results!

I'm embarrassed, 39 pence from Aldi and I'm getting 100% germination from two batches with no date on the packet. The packet looked dodgy and even though I have lettuces they still don't look like little-gem.

This might be the second year I bought little gem on the cheap but I got floppy lettuce.

I saw some little gem plants at the garden centre and those plants looks very upright, mine are floopy.

Dear All,
lettuce has a problem called high temperature germination inhibition. What this means is that if the seeds are exposed to a temperature higher than 25-30 C they will go into a dormant state and will not germinate. It takes only a short period of warmth to cause this and the effects will not wear off for ages.
What can be done about it? Well there are all sorts of things to try but the best method is to make sure that the packets of seeds and the seeds in the trays do not get too hot. If you know the seed is good ie a newly opened packet try putting the seed tray into the fridge for a week and then back into the propagator. Do not forget to bag the tray before putting it into the fridge as chef will not be pleased.
Regards Sally Wright.

Hi Sally - yes aware of the high temperature inhibition. The first lot of Little Gem were sown alongside Tom Thumb so that wasn't the problem. The second lot, possible though 1 seed did appear. The latest Johnsons are outside in roottrainers and have germinated well though I haven't checked today to see if they are slug-free.

My Little Gem still doesn't look like Little Gem though I did a taste test and it has the taste. It has the shape of floppy lettuce but with firm leaves.

I'll take a photo later in the day when this sea mist clears.

Is this little Gem ? It might be hearting-up but to be honest it's very nice right now.

Yes.

I like your heating system, Richard.....

oldherbaceous wrote:I like your heating system, Richard.....

It's for burning weeds OH, but of course you knew that. I have a solar panel project though I'm looking for a 12 volt heating Matt/blanket type thing.

As a back up to the solar source I have a small wind turbine. Both produce 80 watts on sunny or windy days. Make no mistake, when there is no sun in a clear sky and no direct wind source you get next to nothing.