growing bog filter plants from seed

[Criscar]

so, I have seeds for several plants I intend for the currently unplanted new gravel bog filter (including watercress, water forget-me-not, cilantro). I read somewhere that I can use some cotton batting as a mat to put the seeds in to allow them to sprout in the bog without getting lost in the gravel or washing into the main pond. Does this actually work or is everyone starting all their plants elsewhere and then transferring them in? Thanks for pointers!

 

[addy1]

Mine self seed, but I have a lot of plants etc already in the bog. It has spread by seed since put in, got bog plants everywhere now.
I would think cotton batting might hold the seeds where you want them.

 

[Lisak1]

I think it would be far easier to sow the seeds in soil and then transplant them when they get a bit of root development. I mean, the cotton batting might work, but then what? You have a mat of cotton batting in the bog? I guess if I were going to try this I'd put the cotton batting on an edge where the water flow was low, or where the gravel was a bit higher to keep it out of the current.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[Mmathis]

Agree with @Lisak1. I am starting some watercress, and will just be using peat pots to get it started. Just curious, but is there a particular reason you want to start them, rather than buy the plants? Not criticizing, just curious.

 

[Criscar]

Agree with @Lisak1. I am starting some watercress, and will just be using peat pots to get it started. Just curious, but is there a particular reason you want to start them, rather than buy the plants? Not criticizing, just curious.

There is no place locally I am aware of where I could just buy watercress (it turns up in the grocery store like once a year for a week maybe) or water forget me not (local pond place doesn't have either) and buying cilantro has always seemed silly to me since it has such a short lifespan.

 

[Criscar]

I think it would be far easier to sow the seeds in soil and then transplant them when they get a bit of root development. I mean, the cotton batting might work, but then what? You have a mat of cotton batting in the bog? I guess if I were going to try this I'd put the cotton batting on an edge where the water flow was low, or where the gravel was a bit higher to keep it out of the current.

Let us know how it goes!

I was thinking a tissue paper thin layer of actual undyed cotton (I buy it for our rats and bunnies on occasion) that would just break down by itself in a relatively short period of time, not that polyester batting stuff that lives forever Or I could use the polyester and just tell gullible people it's snow