6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Yes they look leggy. Plants should be placed under lights right after they break the surface, or they can be placed under light when you plant the seeds.
The lights pictured should be no more than 1 inch away from the seedlings. If the lights are T12 tubes they can touch the seedlings without hurting them.
Jon
Also, your tags are WAY TOO LONG. Cut some 3 inches and only use numbers or letters as your code. then record your code and any notes into a sprial binder. Great sourse for looking back at in the future for answers to: how did I do that, what was the name of the plants that did the best, i.e.
Gardening with love, Kiee
Check out the Garden Bazaar here for links to all sorts of vetted seed vendors. There is also the Rate and Review forum where folks post messages about good service and poor service vendors.
If it is primarily flower seeds you seek, then Territorial Seed Company is one of my favorites along with Stokes and Johnny's.
Dave
Thanks for your advice.
I was able to get more seeds from a generous Tomato Forum member. I also puchased a new package with same day shipment from Diane's Seeds.
I planted all of them (48 in all) but, once again, got very poor germination. I had less than 15% germination from the Neves. In the same seedling tray with the same starting mix, moisture, and temperature, other varieties gave up to 100% germination.
Has anyone else had problems germinating Neves? Is there something special they need?
Thanks for you wisdom.
Bob
This reminds me of my garage discovery last night. I usually start seeds in egg shells, and several of the last batch didn't sprout, so I stacked 3 egg cartons with (dead) seeds on the table in the garage.
Last night I noticed a strange white string about 10" long, coming from the bottom carton. OMG! It was a nastursium seedling. It has it's true leaves, but they are pale green and tiny! I'll put it in the ground and cross my fingers, but I don't have much hope for it at all.
I know you can try burying the entire stem, but I'll have to dig a hole a foot deep, and I'll cover some of it's leaves that started half way down that stem.
Gonna give it a try! Wish me luck? And good luck to you with your Marigold!!
You guys are so funny! :) Obviously the video is horrid, but as a beginner, I wondered if it would be worth it. I think it's a resounding "no"! I never thought of using chopsticks, but that's a great idea, as is the bulb planter idea.
Glad to have great (and funny!) resources here.
Thank you!
Deb
Chopsticks are a great idea! I mostly start seeds in egg shells, and when I plant them, I just give the shell a squeeze to break it up a bit, put shell and all in the ground, and I don't have a problem with wilting or anything! (Plus the shell adds nutrients to the soil too)
Yesterday I set out nastursiums, Cosmos, and Marigolds, and they all look perky this morning. I'm waiting for my pepper plants to get some true leaves. They transplant better for me that way.
Good luck Deb!
I am not sure what your problem is, except to say that is not dampening off (fungus). I would highly suggest that you repot them, and bury the stems another couple of inches at least. Do not neglect watering them. Toms love warmth as well. I think they should be ok if you repot them. They will send roots out from the stem.
Carrie
I'll second karenrei and add possible over-watering.
Keep soil very moist until seedlings emerge then allow soil to become just barely moist before watering again. Do not keep the soil constantly wet or very moist. If you use a humidity dome (They have not been necessary or helpful in my experience) remove it once seedlings have emerged.
Keep florouescent tube lights no more then 2 inches above the seedlings. In the winter and early spring there is not really enough sunlight coming in through a window to grow seedlings well (at least in my area in zone 5, in Maine).
As a general rule, you shoule transplant the seedlings when they have established a good root system and a second set of true leaves.
Also, it is usually recommended to transplant the established seedling in a pot about 4 inches in diameter before transplanting outside.
Beans don't transplant very well. Perhaps you could try to explain to her that beans liked to be planted directly in the garden? I have a feeling that 3 year olds are not very patient, but if she plants some outside after the weather warms up she will be eating beans soon enough.
In the interim why not start some tomato seedlings inside.
Jon
Chloe, haven't grown it but from the book Oriental Vegetables, it looks like you may be sowing too deep. It's suggested there that some light may be beneficial to germination, sow the large seed only partially covered or as deep as 1/4". Soak overnight or nick before sowing.
The suggestions go on to say they will germinate but erratically direct sown, better may be to start them indoors and transplant plants when small before any sign of the taproot developing. Will germinate at temps as low as 50F (10C) but optimum results at 68-77F (20-25C)
Absolutely remove the netting immediately. Those are some beautiful plants, but they won't be for long if you don't transplant within a day or two and move them to something bigger.Grab some 16-20 oz clear plastic cups & some MG Moisture Control. It may be hard to separate the plants in the same pellet, but i'd recommend getting a flat head screwdriver and also one of those mini-screwdrivers. Take the pellet & gently use the flathead screwdriver to break off the edges (don't get close to plants) of the pellets. Then, once you see some root, dig carefully around them with the mini screwdriver. Separate the plants, put into cups with some of the MG (make a little hole for the seedling so it gets buried almost up to it's first set of leaves). Firm the soil down with your finger lightly (so plant can still breathe & get some water) and so gthe plant stands straight up on it's own. Then, add a 1/2 inch or so more soil (still below or right at first set of leaves). don't press it down as much or at all. Get you a spray gun filled with some water (and maybe 1/4 teaspoon of MG Tomato food). Spray each seedling about 25 times (until water stands on surface for a while). Sit in a sunny location (inside for now, unless you're in FL). They will root them selves into their new home, literally over a few days (you'll see roots on the side of the cup when this is about done). Then, watch them babies grow until it's time to place in the ground, depedning upon your location).
Peace - Steve
That's great! When I've needed to get rid of extra plants, I've always just put up a table and a sign in my front yard.
yeah,but I live in a very agricultural area far off the beaten path.
Last yr when I ended up hauling all the orphans in to work to force on people I hatched the Plan. Of course the boss did to decide to take me up on i till now... love bosses..
its the funnest time of year.We do all sorts of Crazy things pies in your bosses face for most $$ raised,privilege to write your own schedule for a week..face painting all sorts of things to get the members and staff interested.
i can do 1 day of seedlings I think all on my own. But I am really hoping to be able to do 2 or 3.
Here is a link that might be useful: Article on CMN/Costco