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| This is my first time ever growing from seeds. I've created an indoor greenhouse in my cellar from odds-and-ends including rope Christmas lights. I've got about 100 4" peat pots that now contain nice, moist starting mix. I've monitored the temperature carefully and I've maintained a 74-75F temp for days and 70-71F for nights which is in keeping with Harris Seeds guidelines for Echinacea. I covered the entire assembly with lightweight plastic sheeting. Before I drop the seeds in the soil, I want to be sure about moisture and humidity. Right now the peat pots seems to be doing a good job of wicking moisture from the trays up into the soil. In the life cycle of these plants, how would you advise I keep them watered and the ambient air quality humid/dry enough? E.g., Should the plastic remain on throughout the germination stage and into the growth stage? If I remove the plastic, the temperatures will drop about 5-7F, which should still be OK for growing plants later, right? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by yiorges-z5il (My Page) on Fri, Dec 10, 10 at 8:36
| Humidity is not that important for germination In fact if the plastic is kept on it will permit/promote "damping off" IF you check the moisture content once a day should be fine & since you have a bottom up watering system just just add water if needed.... Keep in mind if the soil is two WET then the seed may rot & you block the needed air spaces & the seed cannot germinate. |
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- Posted by oregonwoodsmoke 5 OR (My Page) on Fri, Dec 17, 10 at 14:52
| If you've got peat pots sitting in water and wicking water up, your soil is too wet. I've occasionally poured water around the base of peat pots if I am going to be out of town and not there to water. It works OK for a short time, but as soon as I am home I dry the pots back out. If you start with damp soil (damp, not wet) and have the pots covered with plastic, you should not need to water. Uncover as soon as the plants sprout. Then you must monitor soil moisture. Keep on the drier side, but do not allow to dry out completely. I am in desert, so I mist the baby plants a couple of times a day. If your air is not dry, you probably don't have to mist. By the way, I dislike peat pots. You'll need to peel those off when you transplant. If you get into this growing-from-seed thing, you'll be happier if you start collecting something more suitable. |
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