Having forgotten to take cuttings or bring the plants in last fall, I have decided that trying to grow some from seed will be one of this year's experiments.

Sometimes you can have TOO much information ( Sorry, Ms. Gardenz) I have several sources and the info is contradictory so I thought I'd come here where I can get first hand experience.

Seeds germinate "normally" OR seeds need TOTAL darkness to germinate??? One source said to put the flats inside a black bag !

Geraniums need CONSTANT bottom heat to germinate OR germinate best at 60-65 degrees F ???

To make matters more confusing, at least for me, I have already started three flats of seed- for now they are on heat mats, but it's only been about 9 days. I am thinking on making this even more of an experiment by taking one flat off the heat mats; maybe putting one flat under a dark cover; now let's see, should the dark flat be heated or not??
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Farmme

PS- As of this AM, one seedling up in two of the flats, none in the third....

Seems to me if two seeds have germinated, you have done the right thing. I'd keep doing what you're doing. (Just thought you'd appreciate some advice from someone who's never germinated a geranium in her life!)

Sheesh, Buffy, there you go again trying to put common sense into these forums

I mean, how can I get a really confusing, complicated experiment going if I just do what is logical??? That must be one of those "female reasoning" things....

I have learned already that if I ever get the little devils to grow, I should not drown them with water
That's probably the reason why the geraniums in the upstairs window box outside the guest room baking in the sun just grow and grow and bloom and bloom....nobody goes in there to water them except about every two weeks or so. Benign neglect is a wonderful thing.

Anyway I thank you deeply for your always welcome advice, input, experience, opinion, wisdom,"constructive" criticism, moral support,recipes and humor

And I'll probably leave the dam things right where they are...
Farmme

Thanks for the question because I'm trying the same thing along with daisies, new guinea impatiens and fuschia. Not sure if I detected an answer though.

Dirt

Alright Dirt.....here's the answer. His seeds are starting to germinate. Farmme done good. He done reeeal good. If his seeds were still playing dead, I would have been no help. All I did was point out the obvious (seeds growing...no problem). I'm not good at technical, but obvious always catches my eye. One of the blessings of not being 'brainy' is I have to rely on my wits.

Now as for YOUR problem...you'd better ask someone brainy. I'm only good at solving problems that are already solved. As some wise person once said, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'!