What Should I Do Today

Today I decided it was best to care for the seedlings already started rather than to move forward with a new wave of seed sowing. So I did the following chores:

• Topped off two more hibiscus plants; the top leaves looked pale and flimsy. 
• Pinched off the long, spindly growth of many lobelia seedlings. 

• Threw away three pots of celery that hadn't yet germinated. Decided I had enough celery to transplant into the garden. 
• Officially declared the Alyssum Basket of Gold (sowed March 10) and Yellow Trumpet Vine (sowed February 25) seeds not viable. 
• Threw away a sweet potato tuber started on February 28. The leaves continue to develop white crystal-like particles. The organic ones which I cut in half and placed in glass bread pan are doing well and have started to develop good-sized sprouts. 
• Transplanted three impatiens flavours hybrid from 4"x8" container. There was very poor germination from that seed packet.

Postscript #1 - The seeds that have yet to germinate are Columbine Tequila Sunrise, petunias and Eggplant Shooting Stars. 

Petunias - A Mainstay in the Garden

Petunias in the garden

Today I am sowing more seeds that require 10 weeks of growth before the plant out date of mid-May. Foremost on the list is the petunia, a mainstay of the garden:

Petunia (Wave Purple, Serie wave purpura): Ferry-Morse, 2015. Planted 15 pelletized seeds 1/4" deep in fifteen 3" pots.  Expected germination time, 10-14 days.  Days to maturity, 95-105.  Characteristics: annual, 4"-6" tall, spacing 12"-18" apart, purple wave is hallmark of the wave series, spreads 3'-4', iridescent purple, great annual ground cover, transplant seeds after 4 to 6 sets of leaves.
See: https://www.harrisseeds.com/storefront/t-Harris-Seeds-Petunias.aspx

Petunia (Mixed Flavors): American Seed, ~2012.  Sowed seeds moderately heavy into twenty-five 2" pots (old seeds). Expected germination time, 7-12 days. Characteristics: annual, 15"-18" tall, remove faded blooms for longer blooms, good sized flowers that bloom over long period of time.  Excellent in beds and rock gardens.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petunia.

Petunia (Mixed Flavors): Harvested, 2014.  Planted liberally in 8"x12" aluminum tray, covered with 1/8" sifted mix. Expected germination time, 18-28 days.  Days to maturity, 45. Characteristics: annual, large 2" flowers on well-branched plants, blooms in white, pink, and lavender, full sun/partial shade, 8" tall, 10" spread, cut back old flowers to encourage new growth.
See: https://www.hrrisseeds.com/storefront/t-Harris-Seeds-Petunias.aspx