6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
They are getting inadequate light- or at least they are getting no artificial light. I lost my indoor grow setup space when I moved some family in, so I'm just using my south facing bay window. I've used this window in the past for other seedlings with no problems for late March starts- But I think with how early I started the asparagus and with the weather and day length not being up to snuff in Feb, that helped made a light difference that's inadequate.
But there's no help for that now, and they are tall. That's why I was wondering if I could transplant them deep like tomatoes or use stakes to stabilize them till I can get them outdoors.
Agree. Assuming you don't over-water there is less risk than in containers. Of course if you do over-water and you allow stagnant heated air to build up in the frame then all that advantage is loss. When the fungus is present and the conditions are right damp-off can develop in even an open air garden bed.
I've "collected" seed from the bags of dried peppers at Walmart. The bags have holes and well, the seeds kinda fell out...
Anyway I grew out some Japones just fine. Beautiful upright pods with some good heat. That was in 2012. I just ground the last of them for powder...they were starting to fade a bit. I might try them again this season if I have room.
anyway one of the most awesome things about plums (besides yumminess =) is how strong and tough they are! you cut them up heavily and they just resprout, people sculpt them even !
you can also take cuttings and then lay them HORIZONTALLY in soil, or somethin soil like...and they sprout whole new trees. they are good for pleaching and making hedgerows. not like other fruits, which can be a lot more fussy.
They are in jiffy pellets that I moved into bigger containers with potting soil, the soil is still pretty wet, it was earlier today. So probably just too much water all along? The petunias have been this way for a week or so. Everything else I have planted seems to be doing just fine.
Hi, I am in the UK and I think I have finally mastered the art of germinating semp begonias
I started my sowing towards the end of November, I seived the compost and filled my tray then soaked it in warmish water and left to drain in the propogater set at 75. The following day I gently compressed my compost, I then gently scattered the minute seed over the surface, Gently misted the seed and Sealed with a bag, 10 days later there was about 90% germination I then left the bag off and placed the container close to the light and dropped the temp to 70
That was 11 weeks ago and the seedlings are now ready to start pricking out,
Hope this helps. Begonia do require a long growing period.
They are growing towards the light. As long as they are on that window sill they will always grow that way. Do you plan to plant them outside? If so, they will probably straighten up then. Unfortunately not many windows provide enough sunlight for plants that require full sun.
We would love to see some pictures.
SCG
Trimming leek seedlings so young seems to be a bit of a cultural thing. I've not heard of it being done at all by British gardeners and leeks seem to grow OK for us. There is a lively debate about trimming the tops and/or roots of leeks at transplant time but that is a different question.
It might be interesting to trim half and leave half and see if it makes any difference.
I have Canadian tire flyer delivered to my in box and I'm in the store weekly. I have never seen them anywhere near that price. The regular price of their kit is $39.99 and it includes jiffy pellets which I would never use. Canadian Tire does have good deals often on other things which I'm quick to take advantage of
tlbean, my MGs always come up in 2-3 days as well. I also start them indoors, I've found they slow down a little bit once they get 3-4 true leaves, I figure they're working on their root system perhaps?
Congrats on all of your MG seedlings! If you grow anything else don't be discouraged when they don't sprout instantly like MGs! I always get spoiled with them and get impatient when other seeds take several weeks to germinate!
Wow, sorry but no way are those desert rose seedlings. And they don't even look like desert rose seeds. They aren't even remotely close as desert rose seeds are long and tubular and a gray color. Either they were mislabeled (most likely) or there was some sort of seed in the mix. Only way to find out what they are is to let them grow.
Dave
Interesting, I use ProMix BX and it comes as dry as a popcorn's toot. I actually use a tote and pre-wet an amount that I think I will need at the time. If any is left over I just leave the tote open and it air dries like it would in a pot. I don't do things days in advance as I am not that good at planning when I will have time to sow and since I use heat mats for germination I don't worry about the temperature of the mix as it will be warm within hours. The mix being slightly damp makes it easier to work with and it doesn't move as much when I mist fine seeds to have them make contact with the mix.
Nice reading about different ways as I am always into changing things up for the better.
SCG
I'm not sure that all potting mixes are created equally. We bought some 'organic' potting mix at a locally owned store and we are having much better results so far. The texture of the mix is also much softer and drains well, yet retains moisture. No large sticks of pieces of bark either.
I don't know what is put into miracle grow potting mix, but maybe it inhibits germination.
The temperature is the same, we start everything in the same room each year. Upper 60's and low 70's for soil temp.
I think the problem is that potting mix is generally meant for grown plants in pots, not seedlings. As plants in pots have less soil to gain nutrients from, a lot of brands infuse it with things like fertilizer and water-retaining ingredients. It's also more dense in texture to pack more into a small space (ie, a pot), which can make it difficult for little seedlings to poke through. So it may not be the brand that's the problem, but the fact that you're using potting soil.
The organic potting mix you have, on top of being softer and more fine in texture, may have less additives, or the ones they have are more agreeable with seedlings. I myself sometimes get bags of a brand of organic potting mix instead if the local store's run out of seed starting mix, though I mix it in with what I have.