(14-07-2024, 09:34 AM)Veggie Wrote: I've lifted this from the Somerset Samphire website - as its the most helpful growing instructions I've seen. 
https://growninengland.co.uk/giw_grower/somerset-samphire/

 Growing from seed

 Seeds are available from DT Brown and Sarah Raven. I tried for two years to germinate with none or limited success. What I did learn was that to germinate successfully the compost needs to be treated beforehand with the watering mix used all year round.

 This is per 5 litres of tap water or water butt water

 6 teaspoons of sea salt (not table salt)

 1 capful 15ml of seaweed extract

 Sow from the beginning of April into the treated compost. Germination is slow and plants take up to 3-4 months to the first cutting. I have transplanted successfully into both plastic and terracotta pots but wait until seedlings are at least 2cm high otherwise they will have very little root. My experience of seed grown plants is that they will generally run to seed in Autumn. Therefore at Somerset Samphire we only grow our plants from cuttings as these will overwinter with some protection

 Growing from Cuttings

 I discovered in year 2 that I could successfully root cuttings in the watering mixture in jam jars. However this took a few weeks and I could only root 8-10 at a time. Earlier this year I purchased the 40 cell hydropod with heating from greenhouse sensation. I found on average I could root 30 out of 40 cuttings in two weeks with strong root growth. These were potted into either 9cm 1 plant or 13cm pots 3 plants in either terracotta or plastic both grew equally well with the first cutting after 8-10 weeks.

 Growing On

 I have grown plants on happily in normal multipurpose compost and have used a number of brands with equal success. Plastic, terracotta and a polystyrene box have all proved to be good. Terracotta dries out quickly but retains the salt so is a good choice. Pest and disease is non-existent as the salt deters the predators.

 Check watering daily and always use the watering solution of sea salt and seaweed extract. Watering is fine from both above and below but always keep moist.

 

(14-07-2024, 09:40 AM)JJB Wrote:

(14-07-2024, 09:34 AM)Veggie Wrote: I've lifted this from the Somerset Samphire website - as its the most helpful growing instructions I've seen. 
https://growninengland.co.uk/giw_grower/somerset-samphire/

 Growing from seed

 Seeds are available from DT Brown and Sarah Raven. I tried for two years to germinate with none or limited success. What I did learn was that to germinate successfully the compost needs to be treated beforehand with the watering mix used all year round.

 This is per 5 litres of tap water or water butt water

 6 teaspoons of sea salt (not table salt)

 1 capful 15ml of seaweed extract

 Sow from the beginning of April into the treated compost. Germination is slow and plants take up to 3-4 months to the first cutting. I have transplanted successfully into both plastic and terracotta pots but wait until seedlings are at least 2cm high otherwise they will have very little root. My experience of seed grown plants is that they will generally run to seed in Autumn. Therefore at Somerset Samphire we only grow our plants from cuttings as these will overwinter with some protection

 Growing from Cuttings

 I discovered in year 2 that I could successfully root cuttings in the watering mixture in jam jars. However this took a few weeks and I could only root 8-10 at a time. Earlier this year I purchased the 40 cell hydropod with heating from greenhouse sensation. I found on average I could root 30 out of 40 cuttings in two weeks with strong root growth. These were potted into either 9cm 1 plant or 13cm pots 3 plants in either terracotta or plastic both grew equally well with the first cutting after 8-10 weeks.

 Growing On

 I have grown plants on happily in normal multipurpose compost and have used a number of brands with equal success. Plastic, terracotta and a polystyrene box have all proved to be good. Terracotta dries out quickly but retains the salt so is a good choice. Pest and disease is non-existent as the salt deters the predators.

 Check watering daily and always use the watering solution of sea salt and seaweed extract. Watering is fine from both above and below but always keep moist.

 

You can't get more detailed than that. Very interesting and informative but I don't think I'll bother. I don't even know if I like it. It'll give SC a fighting chance. Are you going to try growing samphire Veggie?

(14-07-2024, 10:32 AM)Veggie Wrote: Yes, I'm in. Can't leave SC on her own.
I need to find some seaweed extract first, then I'm going to give it a go.