Mystery of disappearing seeds in compost ... a real puzzle, any takers?

[kaisersozay]

Hi all.

I'm really annoyed after spending money on seeds and finding that after a few days in the compost, the seeds are no longer there.

This sounds very bizarre indeed, but a few months back, I noticed that a couple of seeds I had sown had completely disappeared in the compost, as though something had eaten them. I couldn't quite understand it at the time but shrugged it off.

Recently, I used the same potting mix for 15 seeds, brought them indoors under Flourescent grow lights, personally sowing them myself (as I did with the others) and after just checking, once again they have all gone.

My potting mix is probably a year old now and has been taken out of my greenhouse where I have battled the deadly Spider mite before;
although I had no idea the mite actually ate whole seeds? Could I be barking up the wrong tree here?

There are no other sinister circumstances, I live on my own right now so it isn't somebody else winding me up... any thoughts?

[marmite]

Do you water the compost first then put in seeds. Or water after putting seeds in as it is possable that water washes out small seeds. As you use the grow light what seeds are you planting as 15 seems an odd number to buy Marmite.

[kaisersozay]

Hi Marmite,
I have watered afterwards, simply a light sprinkle, but nothing heavy enough to do that. It was actually from a pack of 100 cactus seeds, they set me back £30.

[marmite]

How about give a few seeds to another gardener to try. This will see if its you, your soil, your way of planting etc, or it could be duff seeds.Marmite.

[kaisersozay]

Good idea, very good idea... i'll send some of to me old Gran!

[marmite]

Glad to be of help. Please let us know or the results. Marmite

[stupo74]

Hi Kaisersozay.
Try putting a couple of your seeds on some kitchen roll paper, keep it damp, and place in small plastic bag. If done correctly you should be able to see when the seed is starting to split. At this stage you can safely transplant to your potting mix, do not leave them too long, as they sometimes become attached to the tissue.
At least you will be able to keep your eyes on them,,, i use this method with chilli seeds that can be a nightmare to germinate, depending on variety of course.
Hope the above helps???? you aint got nowt to lose trying?????.
good luck, regards stupo.

[airconednightmare]

Originally Posted by stupo74

Hi Kaisersozay.
Try putting a couple of your seeds on some kitchen roll paper, keep it damp, and place in small plastic bag. If done correctly you should be able to see when the seed is starting to split. At this stage you can safely transplant to your potting mix, do not leave them too long, as they sometimes become attached to the tissue.
At least you will be able to keep your eyes on them,,, i use this method with chilli seeds that can be a nightmare to germinate, depending on variety of course.
Hope the above helps???? you aint got nowt to lose trying?????.
good luck, regards stupo.

+1 'cracking' the seeds in wet tissue is what i do with chillies

don't know anything about cacti but it couldn't hurt to give it a try

[marmite]

Stupo you are clever. My carrot seeds disappered last year. We watched a Robin peck every one out. I resowed and then covered them up. Marmite always learning

[Mark Ryding]

I have had trouble with My chiilies this year, in fact only one cayenne has germinated in the compost, all the others dissapeared.

So I tried the toilet paper in a bag method described previously with a 75% sucess rate!

cheers Mark