KM
MDR germination timeframe: how long does MDR take to germinate?
Hey team, sowed MDR on Friday and have had pretty hot/warm weather but haven’t seen any signs of germination 🥲
I’ve kept it damp throughout.
One thing I’m not sure of, is when I sowed over the lawn mix raked and rolled, I didn’t have much a top dress – so some of the seeds are exposed.
Do I need frost cloth? Or am I just being impatient.
It's only been a few days.
Germination speed comes down to soil temps and irrigation. Under good conditions you might see it pop in 5–7 days, but it can just as easily take 10–14 days if temps are cooler or moisture isn’t consistent.
https://www.newzealandlawnaddicts.com/lawn-tips/sowing-seed-soil-temps-irrigation/
Don't worry too much about the seed that is exposed as long as you have good seed to soil contact and it doesn't dry out, it will germinate. I know people who apply seed over soil and roll it and as long as they keep on top of irrigation it's fine. Seed to soil contact is key.
Thanks team, here’s the current setup. Just had a light irrigation for 8mins about 2hrs ago. It’s relatively damp.
@KM prep looks good, I wouldn't worry, give it time. Rye is pretty forgiving when sowing from seed. What's your irrigation intervals like?
@Jonny Hicks it depends on the weather. Over the weekend the sun was harsh, so it was almost every 3hrs just to keep it moist.
Yesterday and today is cloudy, so I’ve done them about 4hrs apart (7am, 11am, 3pm). I don’t have irrigation yet so it’s ad-hoc.
One week after seeding, and being impatient. Hopefully the cloth stays down in anticipation of the wild winds and rain forecast next week.
Getting some pretty rapid growth. Tempted to get take off the froth cloth, but with this ongoing water/wind in Wellington means it’s probably good to keep down.
Day 12. Tips are a bit bent due to the cyclone making ripples in the froth cloth.. patchy growth but it’s fine.
Will probably give it another week? There’s forecast for more rain.