Annuals: Needs Dark to Germinate???, 1 by andycdn

andycdn wrote:
I found this 2002 (!) thread while searching for something else, and read through it because it discusses two of my favourite annuals, schizanthus and salpiglossis. I grow these every year (for 20+ years now) because I rarely see them in nurseries.

I can report that based on my experience they do NOT need darkness for germination. I sprinkle the tiny seed sparingly over damp ProMix in a 4" pot, press down lightly, bottom-water, and put them on top of the fridge. In 3-4 days they start to sprout and they go under lights. At 2 sets of true leaves I prick them out into cell-packs.

This year I've got about 5 dozen of each growing on for spring planting. Photo: salpiglossis lasts 10-14 days as a great cut flower