Seed starting

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I'll start of by saying there is no one correct way to start your seed, ask ten people and you'll get ten different methods.

The biggest discussions always seems to be whether to peel the cork off the seeds or not and whether to presoak the seeds or not. I never peel or presoak them I believe either way can give good results.

I think one of the most important things is to use a good quality soil-less mix such as Sunshine or Pro mix. Do not use your garden soil no matter how good it is, in pots you are only inviting problems with pests and molds.

Our method that seems to work well most of the time is to simply spread about 10 to 12 seeds on the top of the soil in a clean four inch pot and cover with about 1/4 inch of soil and water well until the soil is soaked. Keep the soil moist but not saturated until germination. Label each pot with the cross if known and the hybridizers name. 

We try to keep them in the warmest spot in our greenhouse or inside the house. Warmer temperatures will definitely speed up the germination, I've found around 80F to work well.

I like to keep them covered with a dome until the germinate to avoid having the soil get too dry. ( I get busy and forget them at times, the domes can be a life saver)  The dome doesn't have to be one of the fancy ones the garden centers will sell you for $5, a plastic baggy over a four inch pot works just as well. 

Germination on brugmansia seeds can be variable, I've had them pop up in a week while others may take several months. Patience is definitely a virtue when growing them from seed.

Timing of your planting of the seeds is really dependent on what kind of set up you have for growing them on. I like to start in early summer in the greenhouse during our first hot spell, this gives them time to size up a bit before fall comes and they get forced into dormancy when we turn the heat down. Others will start them in early winter under lights on heating pads in the house with good results as well. 

I start to feed them with 20 20 20 once they have the first set of true leaves. 

Pricking them out of the can be done when the first true leaves appear. I tend to do it when they are larger as I usually am too busy with other things in the greenhouse. As I'm writing this I have several four inch pots of seedlings that are about a foot tall and long overdue for transplanting. They pull apart quite easily for transplanting even at this size.