6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
There are some chinese cabbages which are very easily grown directly and I sow always way too much. They are called bok choi and similar names.
If you don't mind the ugly crates, in Australia greengrocers still have these white polystyrene cases they are ideal for growing seedlings, some people even grow veggies in them.
I got a tip that my 14 watt bulb can grow microgreens. It's a special kind though. Transplanting it then it would need more light probably. I don't think brocolii would mind a really big pot. The plants and the root sizes are often about the same with plants in general- not always I guess.
Hi! I am apologist for organic gardening. I know a process that is revolutionary like this, because with it your plants grow 100% to 50% faster, and you can grow up to TEN times the plants in the same amount of space. The University of the Virgin Islands have discovered and experimented this.
Here is a link that might be useful: Aquaponics
I found one of these seeds in my chook yard that is under a large Morton Bay Fig tree frequented by Chanel Bills. Just for the fun of it, I planted it in a pot and a week later I have a two inch tall palm of some sort---looking just like the above photo. Has anyone an idea of what palm it might be? I was very amused that it germinated---it must have been bursting to get out because it didn't waste any time.
Typically, Magnolia grandiflora seedlings will start blooming at 10 to 20 years of age. This age is quite variable with this species. At least one seed strain frequently begins producing blooms at a much earlier age, but is not representative of the species in that way.
That cinnamon thing is indeed interesting. I'm going to have to give it a go as they say across the water. Oh, and does it matter which cinnamon works best: the Far East variety, or Ceylon cinnamon?
Incidentally, I'm trying coleus for the first time from seed, and I ordered a nice assortment from Outside Pride over at Amazon. Today, I was comparing things, while looking for some "Under the Sea" coleus, and checked things at Amazon again. While I was there I noticed that Outside Pride was really taking a beating from some of the disgruntled customers, who had bad luck with getting their seeds to sprout.
Does anyone know anything about the company's reputation of late? I had done a Google search of "Outside Pride", and on the fourth link down, there was an official investigation by the Better Business Bureau. It seems there are a lot of unhappy campers with Outsidepride over at Amazon and also at Dave's Garden.
Coleus is about the easiest there is to start from cuttings. You don't need to start them in water unless you want to. I just cut a 3-4" piece, remove the bottom leaves and stick them in potting mix. I do a lot of cuttings and put a clear plastic dome over the tray until they take hold. Covering the cuttings with something is essential. If you don't have a dome, try using plastic wrap or a plastic bag. Don't seal them too tight or they'll mold. I drilled holes in my domes so they get a little air. You can take the cover off when you can't pull the cutting up with a gentle tug. Have fun with your project. I so enjoy watching everything grow until I can get outside. I'm like a mother hen with all my cuttings and seedlings. Barbara
Budget or not I always use solo cups to transplant my pepper and tomato seedlings into. My husband says the plants come out of the cups easier than they do out of pots when he transplants into the garden. They are sturdy enough to be sterilized and used again the next year. One thing though is that they are tippier than pots so if you have a tray that's divided for pots it would be better than an open tray.
I use the pointed end of a wood burning tool that I picked up at Walmart when I got my first cups and put 4 holes in the bottom. Using it does a lot of cups very fast. I also use it to put holes on the bottom of plastic mushroom boxes that I use for starting all my seeds. It is easier to keep shallow container uniformly moist when starting seeds. If you use a wood burning tool though do it in a well ventilated area. The smell of burning plastic is not great.
The wick would be good for keeping plants moist if you are away but I think it would keep the plants too wet if you used it all the time. Peppers like most plants like to dry out between watering. There are small air pockets in the soil and roots need that air to grow. When you water those pockets fill up with water. That's why it is best not to keep your plants wet all the time. Think of plants outside, It rains or you water and then there is a period of dry between. That is also why it is good to bottom water. Bottom watering best imitates natural growing conditions.
I used my husband's electric drill. Worked great. Did several at a time but just did one hole in the bottom. I put a clear plastic dome over the top until they are all germinated. Have to watch for mold to start in which case I take the dome off for a couple days. If you don't have the domes, you probably could use plastic wrap or a plastic bag. I did that until I got the domes. I water from the top with a sprayer when needed. Good Luck, Barbara
that's awesome! i think there are but a few of the large variety. sevilla olives being one of them. i'm not very picky with olives, i like to eat them sure but what my sister is after is just the general look of the plant/tree. they're also pretty :)
Thanks! The document is helpful.
I find the gravel interesting. Maybe it helps the seedling when it is very wet? In your climate it gets colder and as it is more towards the pole - it is colder for longer hours. Here it dips only to -5C during the night and that is at most, usually maybe -2C or so and during the day you can work outside in a jumper.
The gravel helps to prevent a crust from forming on top the pots if it dries, and a heavy rain (or watering) from dislodging the seeds. It can help prevent moss and liverworts from forming on the top of the sowing medium with those things that have a longer germination time, and help seeds to make good soil contact without excluding all light if they need that.
I generally use chick grit from the feed store to top my pots. Larger seeds are covered with some of the sowing medium or potting soil, then topped with the grit. Tiny fine seeds are sown on top a light layer of grit and rinsed down with a quick spray of water.
If I'm out of grit and can't go to the farm supply, I've used parakeet gravel from the pet section of the supermarket. Fine aquarium gravel is often available by the pound if a pet/fish supply shop is convenient to you.
You might want to read through the sowing techniques on the Clothiers Site, lots of good information there. You could benefit from bookmarking the site for the seed germination databases too....invaluable.
Here is a link that might be useful: Clotheirs
The seedlings have taken a turn for the worse (healthy true leaves dying, and one seedling dead), but I've also learned some things:
Rapid Rooter are hydroponic plug growing media with a dense, spongy texture. I bought these without knowing a darn thing about hydroponics. While the plugs contain nice-sounding ingredients ("beneficial microbes" "composted materials"), they lack the fertilizer I've taken for granted in my seedling mixes.
So, I've transplanted all into seedling mix (the plugs have to be transplanted intact) and fertilized very lightly with fish emulsion.
Thanks, Gary and Loewenzahn.
I think it is very difficult to keep this seedling alive when it is this advanced in germinating. Ideally you should sow the seed in a pot as soon as you see the emergence of the radicle or root.
I had Acer palmatum and A. buergerianum germinating in a ziplock bag in the fridge in the past. Planted them in a pot with a well draining seed sowing mix. Placed the pot on a window cill in a cool room with no direct sun light. The seedlings all slowly died.
Chiming in for Pinetree here - been a satisfied customer for many years - & their prices reflect the smaller seed amounts.
Here is a link that might be useful: Pinetree Garden Seeds
Once seeds get small enough, or odd ball shape, it is impossible for machines to count them so they then use weight. With extremely light seeds it takes a pile to even register on the scale. As someone else pointed out the packaging often is worth more than the seeds, so why bother worrying if you put a few too many in.
Save them, trade them or just give them away.
SCG