Up until now we have published a lot of information about growing strawberries on our blog at Gourmet Berries Blog. As time allows we will start posting information here that is specific to strawberry seeds. This first entry is a repeat of some information already on our blog so we will repeat it here. It is worth repeating.
A customer who is new to growing plants wrote today to ask about what to expect in terms of days to germination. She sent a picture of her seeding setup. It’s unfortunate that she did not check with blog before buying peat pellets. Here’s the response sent to her:
“….. I don’t recommend using peat pellets. When I used and tested them I had poor results. I have a lot of info about germination on my blog – URL in signature below. My You Tube channel has several videos about the method that we use here. You can access that channel at Gourmet Berries You Tube Channel.
Since you are already using peat pellets, keep them moist/wet until the seeds germinate. The reason I don’t recommend using them is that they can quickly dry out. If the seeds dry out even for an hour during the germination process they will die.
Another negative about peat pellets is that they tend to be packed down and and don’t drain well. The aeration ratio is poor and roots need aeration. Poor aeration leads to root diseases like root rot and is attractive in early stages to fungus gnats.
Germination can take up to 30 days under even ideal circumstances. At around 70 degrees the majority will germinate in the first two weeks. At that temp the first seeds should start to germinate in 5 to 7 days. Germination is slower at cooler temps. Don’t allow the temps to get much above 75.
Germination is strongly affected negatively at temps about this level. If the temps get into the 80’s you will have a hard time keeping the soil moist and you run the risk of the ungerminated seeds going deeper into dormancy ……. “