[bthorn]

I got these seeds of giant daisies, strawflowers and phlox from someone in Brazil.
They are still within their Use By dates.

I have tried some seeds in moss peat + vermiculite (about 50/50).
Put them about 5 mm below the surface as it said on the pack, one seed per hole. About 6 seeds per pot.
Germination is to be within 2 weeks (giant daisies & strawflowers), 3 weeks (Phlox).
But no dice.
The starting bed was moist enough and I spray-mist the surface when it gets dry (about once a day).

Is the bed too coarse for such small seed ?
Is the depth (5 mm) too much ?

[breezyacre]

By the sound of these plants , and your packet would confirm this, they are perenniel flowers. These are best acquired by splitting the root stock of an older plant. There is no reason why they shouldn't grow from seed though. I would not panic yet. Perhaps you could put the pots in a shallow basin of water and that way water from underneath thus ensuring that the water is getting to the seed. You could leave the pots in the water for about 15 mins. The next day check to see if the compost is still damp and if it is do not water again. Watering this way ensures that the moisture gets to the seeds. Water can evaporate very quickly when it is applied from the top.

[bthorn]

Since I posted original question, I dumped out the old moss peat + vermiculite and repotted new seed in potting compost.

They are in less than 10 days now so it will be another 2-3 weeks before
I can say they are out or not.

As for the water, they are just < 5 mm below surface so I think a gentle spray
or two every day ought be enough for them.

Time will tell . . . .

[SorchaBC]

bthorn, one of the best things I've ever found for watering seeds and seedlings is an old jam jar, with a few holes punched in the lid. It mimics gentle rainfall, which no plant is adverse to, and has worked an absolute treat on everything we have this year, from the tiniest seeds to the big huge ones.