6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

It has been years, actually decades, since I experimented with this so take this info with a grain or two of salt, ok?

Plain white tissue paper works best. Thin, single layer strips for both top and bottom. Crepe paper takes much longer to dissolve as it has reinforcing fibers in it. Colored tissue would work ok but then you have the dye contamination (not all the dyes are organic based) not to mention the stained finger tips to deal with.

Here are a couple of past discussions about making them that will provide you with more info.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cornucop/msg0402110219445.html

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cornucop/msg1222223019774.html

Hope this helps.

Dave

    Bookmark     March 19, 2013 at 12:30PM
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fumasterchu

I use toilet paper. Roll it out to the length you need and mark off your spacing. Mix up equal parts flour and water and place a dot on the space for the seed. Place the seed and fold the toilet paper over. You will then have about an inch to an inch and a half wide tape. It dries in about 20 minutes.
If you are doing square foot gardening, you can do this with paper towels. They are usually two ply, so just separate the layers. I hope this helps.

Jen

This post was edited by JennySweet on Wed, Mar 20, 13 at 0:15

    Bookmark     March 19, 2013 at 7:14PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

Here is the FAQ on this question. It should provide the information you need as to when - only after transplanting which is normally after 1 set of true leaves develop.

As to what? That is your choice. Just make sure it is well diluted. Never use full strength on seedlings.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing from Seed FAQs - Fertilizing

    Bookmark     March 19, 2013 at 5:07PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

Agree that if you aren't going to supply supplemental lighting, which is really mandatory for growing indoors, then outside will result in much better seedlings. No comparison.

Plus that way you won't have to harden them off.

Dave

    Bookmark     March 19, 2013 at 3:36PM
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sugi_c(9a)

Hmm, glad I asked! Thanks, guys. I just figured inside was warmer ,ore consistently and the windowsill gets some serious sun at angle (of seed cells).That, and it's cleaner....like bug-free.

Okay, I'll keep them outside. :-)

    Bookmark     March 19, 2013 at 4:15PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

As dowlinggram said, only time will tell now. But personally, if they survive then as soon as they are big enough to be transplanted, I would remove them, replace the garden soil with a good potting mix, and replace them.

As you have discovered only soil-less potting mix should be used in containers - for many reasons. So to give them the best chance of survival consider transplanting them.

And let us know exactly what you planted? Some plants, namely herbs and some flowers will do ok in the dirt. Vegetables and most other flowering plants, not.

Be sure to check out the Container gardening forum here for much more relevant information on container gardening.

Dave

    Bookmark     March 19, 2013 at 10:54AM
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susanzone5(z5NY)

And, if you garden in the desert, check out the Arizona forum.

    Bookmark     March 19, 2013 at 3:11PM
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cwatson89

Here's a sample of what they look like but each one is bigger than this

    Bookmark     March 19, 2013 at 11:29AM
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ianbrazil(11)

It's a lot easier from cuttings. You can get upwards of 50 when you prune it. Good luck.

    Bookmark     March 18, 2013 at 8:39PM
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moonphase(z7 Ga)

I love Burpee seeds.I have spent alot of money on seeds through the years and my worse experience was with Park seeds.I have bought Burpee seeds for the last 7 yrs. and I have never been disappointed in anything,
I wintersow hundreds of seeds and with Burpee,I always have 100% germination rate.I believe Burpee will make it right for you Vern.I already have lots of their seeds and will be ordering more.I do hope you will give Burpee the benifit so any new comers won't just write them off by your experience.

    Bookmark     February 6, 2012 at 12:26AM
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Elizabethm123

I too got stiffed by Burpee. I ordered $180 worth of seeds and plants. When I took my seeds out to plant them, (on all packs) were way off the number that was suppose to be in the pack..Like one of the pack was suppose to be 1200 seeds, there were only between 300-400 seeds. I was suppose to get 2 rubarbs I got 1. Painted daisy was suppose to be 75 seeds..There were 5 seeds..I will never order from them again..My mom had order several seed packs and they were all off too..Her cucumber seed pack was empty..She called and complained..They did nothing..SO save your money and buy at home depot,lowes and local co-ops...They will RIP YOU OFF at Burpee.. Sorry just had to put it out there to hopefully save someone else disappointment and money.

    Bookmark     March 18, 2013 at 12:45PM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

They are very leggy. Not nearly enough light or the light isn't close enough to them. When you transplant them into containers bury all that bare stem.

Dave

    Bookmark     March 18, 2013 at 11:36AM
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Alyssa_B

Thanks everyone for the replies. My lights say they are 7800K. Is that what I want? I am going to transplant them into containers soon, what kind of soil should I get?

    Bookmark     March 18, 2013 at 12:09PM
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madabouteu(8A - central Alabama)

Those are the two secrets... a heating mat, plus figure out how many plants you want and plant AT LEAST twice that many seeds!

    Bookmark     March 15, 2013 at 8:16PM
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katkeeper36

One week after sprouting...heat mats off. T5's on 16-18 hrs a day.

    Bookmark     March 18, 2013 at 11:19AM
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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

You may be surprised when the seeds that did not germinate, do so when the mix is used the next time. Not usually a problem, if you are not surprised. Al

    Bookmark     March 18, 2013 at 10:09AM
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tanyuu((5/6 - South IN))

Should be okay- I do it all the time! I sometimes get little 'surprises' but that's part of the fun.

    Bookmark     March 18, 2013 at 11:05AM
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mandolls(4)

I started mine about a month before you. The Silver and the Blue. About a week ago I potted them up to 9 oz cups and cut off all of the runners that were starting and began rooting those up. I checked the cuttings today and a few had already started to root.

So..............give them another three weeks or so, they will triple in size. They are looking good so far!

    Bookmark     March 17, 2013 at 7:41PM
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bkanler(5)

Thanks mandolls, I guess I will have to take a lesson in patience. lol

    Bookmark     March 17, 2013 at 9:18PM
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mandolls(4)

Definitely time to pinch those babies back! I am starting to get blooms on some of mine too, love it. If you want more, you can root up those runners. I cut off the first set of runners that my Waves put out and rooted them in a domed tray of pearlite/vermiculite, didn't use root hormones. A week later they are starting to develop roots. Just this morning I started up another tray of cuttings. From two packets of 10 seed each I should have about 75 plants by the time spring gets here.

    Bookmark     March 17, 2013 at 3:04PM
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jduren(5 MO.)

Thanks. I have around 80 petunias and 70 coleus to use for cuttings. I guess another set of lights wouldn't be too bad.

Shame on you for making me spend more money..lol thx Jack

    Bookmark     March 17, 2013 at 3:31PM
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japus

I had a couple kiwi images, here are male and female

    Bookmark     February 6, 2013 at 2:10PM
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hollie_1973(4b)

I am currently growing about thirty so far that have come upI am excited because they look so nice now i have second thoughts LOL I am fairly new so love growin anything right now I am sure that will change!!It took minbe bout a month to come up but seem fine so far any other info will help me as well!!good luck

    Bookmark     March 17, 2013 at 2:11PM
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mandolls(4)

Its always fun for me to see other people's set ups. Thanks for sharing.

I started quite a few things early this year. Mostly annuals, but also salad stuff that I am harvesting about once a week, and a few slow growers like onions and asparagus.

this is my main set of shelves, which is a converted closet. the styrofoam boards over the lights are intended to increase reflective light

A few of the little guys who are about ready to get re-potted - Impatens, Lisianthus, Petunias, and Coleus.

I have a couple of more lights suspended over a table, which has my salad, and a few geraniums and asparagus.

And another set of shelves where some of the taller plants have moved - mostly bedding sized Dahlias, with some begonia cuttings and a few different kinds of basil.

I seem to have to add a few more lights every year - right now I have room for 36 standard flats.

    Bookmark     March 8, 2013 at 5:29PM
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jduren(5 MO.)

Growing and overwhelmed.... Jack

    Bookmark     March 17, 2013 at 12:01PM
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