I read in the last newsletter from the Native Grasses resource group, that of the hundreds of seed one sows expect to get only 10% germination. I didn’t feel so bad about my failures then!

Presuming that you have viable seed sown, I would remove the plastic container. You do not need humidity for germination, just moisture. Standing the seed container in a dish of water so that the surface remains moist is probably better. (Water about half way up the sides of the seed container). I also put a very light cover of small gravel over the top, as this acts as a mulch and seems to keep moisture at the surface, and keeps the temperature more even.

Grass seeds have a small appendage to the seed which enables wind to disperse it. In some it is a fuzz of hairs, or a tail that acts like a cork screw in that when moisture contacts the seed it is turned into the soil by the ‘cork screw’, etc. If you look for these bits you should be on the track of what is the seed of the grass.

Also, if seed is not sown within days of collection, some have an after ripening period of anything from weeks to a year. In which case no germination will occur until this time is up.

Don’t be discouraged! Keep trying.

I’ve tried to coax a few native grass seed to grow, but am so far having no success. I’m sorry, I don’t know what it’s called, but it has tall, spear-like fuzzy “flowers” which I am assuming are the seeds. (Talk about being a beginner). I’ve put them onto a bed of potting mix with a thin layer of the mix poured over the top of them, which I have kept moist under a plastic container to try to intensify the heat and humidity.

Am I even doing it right?

Regards and thanks for your interest.

Charmian