|
| Hi all..
I have an issue.. Once I start my seeds on my heat mat, I usually get an 85-97% germination rate, but then once I have sprouts it seems as though I have trouble maintaining under lights. In April, I started tomato and cukes and squash.. The hardy squash and cukes did ok but my tomato can up stringy and took what seemes like forever to get second leaves and such. After starting them in a bio-dome I transplanted to peat pots with a M grow soil. under lights and no heat. but the plants seemed to take forever.. I am wondering what you all use for fert. I am also wondering if perhaps I started to late, and I just have to high of expectations? I was trying to start all seeds for veggie garden for my father so we did not have to purchase. When do you all start your seeds relative to yor planting time? considering hardening and etc.. It just amazes me that I can go tothe local veggie selling place and they have plants that are 6-8 inches high and I have these puny things.. They maintain hundreds of plants and I am having trouble with 30! Help me raise my plants!!!! Laura |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by tn_veggie_gardner 6 (My Page) on Wed, May 6, 09 at 13:32
| I start about 2 months before I plant outside in their final homes for some things. Others than can be directly sown are done in stages after that depending upon weather, plant, etc.. I feel like i'm repeating myself. Check out my blog for what I do...also a link on their (top right) for Grow Your Tomatoes. Member on here (catman) who is quite knowledgeable in veggie gardening made the site. Peace - Steve |
|
| Some very common problems with seed starting are: Not enough light/Light too far away (this causes 'leggy', tall and skinny seedlings): Use florescent lighting (4ft shop lights with T12 tubes are good) no more then 2 inches away from the plants. Over watering: When seedlings first emerge keep the soil moist but after the seedlings start the first set of leaves let the soil get almost completely dry before watering. Besides the common problems above temperature after germination should be around 65-75 degrees. As far as starting too late, I'd say you started the tomatoes at the right time but the cukes and squash you started too early. Start cukes and squash 3 weeks before your last frost date or seed directly in the garden. Lastly, read through this forum and the vegetable gardening forum as far back as you can manage. Many people have gone through the same trials as you and there experience is wicked helpful! Jon |
|
| I always had trouble starting seeds too, but this year I did something different. I didn't have a greenhouse so I used a plastic tarp over the growing racks. I fastened the corners of it with clothespins and set a humidifier next to it to keep everything moist all day. I work and can't be around all day to check soil moisture and the humidifier did the trick. Not only did I have almost 100% germination, but lost very few seedlings after they were up. The greatest thing about it was that I really didn't have to water the seedlings hardly at all since they stayed moist 24/7. The only bad thing was when I crawled inside the tarp to look at all the little seedlings, my dogs would go bonkers and tear around the house like their tails were on fire. Cheryl |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Growing from Seed Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.