Question
I would like to grow the Japanese herb Shiso, both the red and the green variety.  I believe it is also called Pirilla.

I have seeds but cannot get them to germinate.

I have tried to grow them under under all sorts of conditions:
under lights,
in darkness,
in heated soil under lights.  

I have tried keeping the seeds in the fridge for a while before planting.  
I got fresher seeds


 Can you advise?

Answer
Dear Gerry:
First I have never grown Shiso before. Second is that did you sow them in the soil and covered with right amount of soil. The thickness of the soil covered seeds should be 3 times of the size of the seeds.  Please also ask the seller how fresh the seeds are.

Sorry that I can not help much.

Wenwei