Germinating Spinach

[plantmarkParticipant]

Charles, I sowed most of your reccomendations early in February and achieved good germination rates with everything except Spinach. I sowed a recent purchase from Thompson & Morgan of Medania, 3 seeds into each of a 15 cell tray and kept them in my kitchen at a stable 21 degrees and I only have 4 seedlings.

[plantmarkParticipant]

Tried again and not getting good germination.

What is the best temperature to germinate Spinach?

Maybe my seed is at fault?

[charlesModerator]

Sorry to hear, if you tried the same seed twice it may be the problem, maybe buy some seed at Lidl or equivalent as a control, sow that and see?

[plantmarkParticipant]

Thank you Charles I will try that. Does Spinach usually give a high germination rate.?

[charlesModerator]

Yes, say 90% should be achievable.

[RhysParticipant]

Plantmark

I used seeds from Suttons and got 90% germination. Maybe just try a different company?!

[David ClarkeParticipant]

I used T&M Medania and also had very poor germination rates, tried a different variety and had no problems – suspect T&M seed is duff!

[HawfinchParticipant]

Could it be that it’s Medania that’s difficult to get to germinate? I bought some seeds from Sarah Raven a couple of years ago and had very poor germination, haven’t had the problem with other kinds of spinach.

[charlesModerator]

Hmm not all T&M seed is duff but that does sound like a suspect batch.
I saved my own Medania seed and it germinated 90% last August when a year old.
I think its more a question of seed age then variety/cultivar.

[Author]

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