Seedlings germinated in 5 days

Last year I purchased peat pots to plant many of the seeds that I planned to transplant to trade one gallon pots and grow in the greenhouse over the winter. These peat pots were in flimsy trays of 50. To be able to handle them, I placed them into regular trays. The peat pots were 2" x 2" x 3" deep. I did enough to plant into approximately 1000 trade one gallon pots. I grew these pots in water beds, so the plants were never dry. I would estimate that I had 50% bloom in 9 months. So, I thought I would try it again this year and push the seedlings more and try to get a higher bloom rate in 9 months. It is fun to see 9 month seedlings like the BIG boys in Florida.

This year I purchased more peat pots, only these are 2" x 2" x 2". We will see if the smaller depth effects the germination or growth. I really appreciated using 1/3 less seed starting mix as it is rather expensive. In the image showing the peat pots on the growing bench, you can see the difference in height, the 3" pots are in the back.There are 24 trays. You can see that the first 6 trays are even with the top of the tray and the last 18 are approximately 1" above the tray.

The first seeds were planted in the peat pots this year on Saturday, July 23. The first seedling that I saw germinate was the one to the left in the picture below. The seedling on the right germinated the 6th day. The cross was (Cimarron Rose X [(Camelot Red X Doug's Caress)]. Today, there were several more seeds from this same cross that had germinated.

How can you not get excited when the seeds begin germinating? More later.

Life is very, very good.

Lee