This year I thought I would boost that amount and buy some addititional seeds. I found a supplier and duly purchased. When they arrived they came with instructions saying that they should be soaked for 24 hours in camomile tea. Well, this made me smile, why so specific? Why camomile? I did not have any camomile and wondered (aloud on twitter) whether Earl Grey would do. No, I was informed, no Earl Grey would not do. It was clear it was a stupid suggestion so of course you can guess what happened next.






no soak Michelle plant :100% fast germination, strong healthy plants
soaked in water: 100% germination, slow growth but healthy enough
soaked in camomile: 50% germination, healthy enough looking plant
soaked in Earl Grey: 100% germination, odd looking plants.
Then, when I least expected it, this happened:

Scientific conclusion: don't bother soaking and particularly don't bother soaking in tea of any description unless you fancy wasting some tea. Best of all, stick with what you know and use the seeds from the gift you were originally given in 2011.
Postscript: When Michelle arrived for our annual jaunt to go to Chelsea she brought with her a ricinus plant. I predict more seeds.......