Bewitched doesn't like Peat Moss topdressing?

[llO0DQLE]

I noticed something interesting after growing some KBG pots. It seems that Bewitched doesn't like Peat Moss topdressing dressing, at least in my very small sample size right now. I realize that a lot of people have renovated with Bewitched monostands and probably topdressed with peat moss and came out fine. But I noticed significantly less germination in my Bewitched pots topdressed with peat moss.

Here's my first batch of pots all topdressed with peat moss and Bewitched had significantly less germination than the other cultivars.



I started 3 more pots after due to this Bewitched pot not germinating well and decided to try different topdressing. Actually one pot was not topdressed and has the best germination. 2nd best was topdressed with soil and the one germinating poorly was topdressed with peat moss.

Right (bare soil), Middle (soil top dressing), Left (Peat Moss)



One factor is that my peat moss is 2 years old. I wonder if that's why. But then how come all the other cultivars germinated so much better while using the same peat moss? The other factor is that the Bewitched seed is from 2016 crop. The other cultivars were purchased in 2015 and we're likely from 2014 crop. But that should be in Bewitched's favor.

[ken-n-nancy]

Hmm. I wonder if there is some other uncontrolled variable at work here?

For what it's worth, I am a no-peat-moss renovator, as I instead rely on 5x a day watering from the irrigation system during renovations.

[llO0DQLE]

I'm wondering too but the variables/factors I can think of are what I mentioned above. They are all planted in the same coir pots, same bagged soil, same watering, same light exposure, same fertilization which was not done at seeding for the first batch, MAP and MOP at seeding for the second batch for some P and K, N is just incidental.

[HoosierLawnGnome]

Did the peat moss keep it too wet? Perhaps the watering for the "naked" seed was adequate but too much for the top-dressed pots?

I've renovated to a bewitched monostand using peat moss topdressing with good results. I don't think it's the peat moss.

[llO0DQLE]

Hmm.. possible but I I didn't put on too thick a topdressing and it didn't feel too wet. Just moist. I only bottom watered with the occasional misting on top when it's hot.

[Leakytires]

I would just like to remind you that if you are letting water stand in that container, you might actually, but unknowingly, be the neighborhood mosquito breeder.

[edenl01]

All faucet water? Fwiw I've never had good luck growing pots of grass.

[llO0DQLE]

I would just like to remind you that if you are letting water stand in that container, you might actually, but unknowingly, be the neighborhood mosquito breeder.

With all the ponds we have in the neighborhood I'm the smallest breeder if I was one. I try to let it dry out before I top it up but it is what it is. Now if we can back to the topic at hand...

[llO0DQLE]

Did the peat moss keep it too wet? Perhaps the watering for the "naked" seed was adequate but too much for the top-dressed pots?

I've renovated to a bewitched monostand using peat moss topdressing with good results. I don't think it's the peat moss.

Also, doesn't explain why only Bewitched is affected...

[llO0DQLE]

All faucet water? Fwiw I've never had good luck growing pots of grass.

Umm, yes... how could I put different water in the same tray to only affect one pot?

[Leakytires]

If those pots are sitting in water most of the time the soil could become overly saturated and not allow enough oxygen or air into the soil for good plant growth. Too much water can also cause seed rot and dampening off issues (fungal) of witch Bewitched may be more susceptible than the other two varieties and as you know, peat moss will hold more water on the surface of the soil.

[lVlrBoJang1es]

When i grew my pots this year, i also tried mixing a few variables.

In one test, I used different forms of top dressings; compost, top soil, and no top dressing. Oddly, all the pots that i top dressed had the poorest germination rate...

My case is a bit different though since i used Scotts sun/shade mix for all my pots (not different cultivars as in your case). I also did an entirely outdoor grow.

A bit of a left field addition to the discussion, but i thought i'd share

[llO0DQLE]

If those pots are sitting in water most of the time the soil could become overly saturated and not allow enough oxygen or air into the soil for good plant growth. Too much water can also cause seed rot and dampening off issues (fungal) of witch Bewitched may be more susceptible than the other two varieties and as you know, peat moss will hold more water on the surface of the soil.

This is what I was thinking too.. seed rot. It really didn't feel too wet but maybe, like you said, Bewitched is more susceptible. I have four other cultivars - Midnight, Prosperity, Blueberry and Sudden Impact although Sudden Impact is in a blend. All other pots are doing well.

[llO0DQLE]

When i grew my pots this year, i also tried mixing a few variables.

In one test, I used different forms of top dressings; compost, top soil, and no top dressing. Oddly, all the pots that i top dressed had the poorest germination rate...

My case is a bit different though since i used Scotts sun/shade mix for all my pots (not different cultivars as in your case). I also did an entirely outdoor grow.

A bit of a left field addition to the discussion, but i thought i'd share

Well your experience bolsters Leaky's hypothesis that it could be too much moisture. It's probably because of bottom watering keeping it pretty moist/wet depending on how long the water sits. Next time I grow pots maybe topdressing won't be needed and I'll have to be more regimented about the watering making sure it doesn't sit too long and letting the water completely get absorbed before topping up.

[Zareth]

My guess is that it may have something to do with Bewitched's increased shade tolerance..
A total long shot but I bet something in the genetics is also causing decreased germination with less light.

IF you don't mind.. would you take a ziplock bag and two identically damp paper towels and sprinkle 10 seeds exactly on each.. fold the paper towel over and seal inside the ziplock bag and store one in a dark drawer and the other near a window or something...
Obviously temperature variables are going to be at play here but I would not be surprised if we saw a big difference in germination.
some seeds only germinate in the shade, others only with sunlight..
Again I don't know but I wonder if its genetic and somehow related to bewitched being one of the best KBG cultivars for shade....

Of course if you do this experiment check germination at certain intervals.. compare the number of seeds which have sprouted at what day and then also a final count well beyond the reasonable time limit to determine if germination was still equal but just delayed..

[GeorgiaDad]

When it comes to pots, I never top dress. I just push the seeds into the soil and bottom water. Never had a problem doing it that way.

[llO0DQLE]

Zareth, you may have something here with regards to light. However I don't think seeds will germinate in a dark drawer as they need light to germinate. Unless you or anybody else has done it.

If I can think of a set up to make light the variable then I'll do a test. I can't do the paper towel thing inside the house. One toddler 3 cats and a disapproving wife will make it hell for me.

[Zareth]

Zareth, you may have something here with regards to light. However I don't think seeds will germinate in a dark drawer as they need light to germinate. Unless you or anybody else has done it.

If I can think of a set up to make light the variable then I'll do a test. I can't do the paper towel thing inside the house. One toddler 3 cats and a disapproving wife will make it hell for me.

In college we did a test with lettuce and some other seeds and some germinated better in the dark, grass probably isn't that type seed though

[llO0DQLE]

From what I've read grass seed needs light.