6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
That quick? I thought it would take a couple of weeks! I am planning on covering my raised bed with clear plastic this weekend in order to get the soil to warm a bit more.
I've considered making a plastic bent-pvc cold frame over the bed, but I'm actually a bit worried about that too. If it's over 70 one day I'm worried it'll get too hot and when it's 40 won't it still be too cold?
Or once their hardened off, will they be okay unless it's under freezing? Would covering them with plastic in late afternoon keep them from getting too cold at night - once they are in the garden?
Can you tell I've never used transplants of early-season veggies? :-)
The plants you mentioned should be able to take cool temps, but of course, not freezing. Covering them at night and uncovering in the morning should keep them safe from frost after you've planted them out. If you're still worried about them after just a week of hardening off(if temps dip for an extended period), you could certainly go another week before planting. It all depends on the temps, especially at night, in your area.
I made that mistake the first time. I've not mixed seeds under each dome. They are doing well.
Anyone have any luck with Huchera seeds? I haven't seen any growth yet and the seeds are not showing sprouts yet.
Also, does anyone use the grow lights from walmart? I think next year I'll upgrade to some finer quality lights, but this year its budget lighting (and doing ok).
I have a 400 watt metal halide I keep about 2 feet above seedlings. My greenhouse is unheated with pots sitting on a 70 degree heating plate. The extra heat from the lamp is welcome. If my greenhouse was in the full sun it might get too hot on sunny days, even with automatic vents. Al
Since the heat mat is required for germination only, not for growing on, the standard recommendation is off the heat as soon as they germinate. The heat can easily cook new young roots.
If you search 'heat mat' here you'll find several discussions on their proper use.
Dave
It is optional. How long before you can transplant them outside? If soon, I wouldn't pinch. But if you still have a month to go and it is already 4" tall then I would. At 4" are you sure it is getting sufficient light?
Dave
Hi Dave, Yes they are sitting directly under the grow light. I hope to plant them one day next week, as soon as this cold spell is over. I think I will go out and just pinch a couple and see what happens. This is my 1st year to plant seeds and I have had a great time. Thank you both for your help......
Well...from my experience, I have found that some of my seeds, especially small seeds that are surface sown produce little fuzzy roots hairs once the radical has emerged, or soon after. This all happens pretty quickly, as they are needed to absorb water. All I am trying to say is that the seedlings in question could be just!!!
Good luck with your growing!!!
Here is a link that might be useful: Root hairs on seedling
What kind of plants? Tomatos typically have fine hairs on them and so do peppers - but it doesn't look like "white" fuzz.
I agree with Sarah, I usually see root hairs on my lettuce which is surface sown. But it goes away in a day or two as the root develops. Make sure you're getting enough air flow and that the soil isn't too wet.
Wow, that list would be way, way too long for someone to type out for you.
Basically, it would be anything that says 'needs light' or 'do not cover'.
Here's some A to Z help to get you started:
Perennials
Annual/Biennial
Like the original? That will all depend on what the original variety was - a low-bush variety, a hybrid, etc. But it will take some time - 3 years to a crop - so it all depends on if the time investment is worth it to you.
Most blueberry bushes are grown from cuttings which is must faster! I see you have already found the discussion on this over on the Container Gardening forum and a forum search pulls up several other posts about it too.
Good luck.
Dave
I am starting Petunias for the first time too!
I bought the Tidal Wave kind that gets tall and wide. I hope we all have luck in starting them for our gardens. My seeds are the pelleted kind, I sown them on the 8th of march and the soil temp is usually right at 75-78 degree's. Let us know of your progress as far as them germinating if you'd like! I would love to learn myself as well on how to get really healthy stocky plants!
Good luck !
I got germination!!! I am growing a Double Flowering Mix(sowed on March 6th) and one called Prism Sunshine (sowed on March 4th. This morning I took the plastic cover off and a bunch of them have sprouted!!! I also have Tidal Wave Silver which i planted on March 6th, but clumsy me picked up the container and dropped it, spilling the dirt and seed all over the floor:( We will see how many of these germinate...there was only 12 seeds to begin with!!!
Good Luck Everyone!!!
Sarah
I started some under grow lights and they are doing well. I use 1 teaspoon of miracle grow to 1 gallon of water. I set them in a pan and let them soak up the water. I am in texas so I will set them out in the next couple of weeks. I did transplant them into bigger pots when they had 4 leaves. Hope this helps.
Happy growing.
Not sure how well this works on such a large seed... but you may want to try tossing the seeds in a glass of water to see if they are viable.
I believe the rule of thumb is if a seed floats it is non-viable as the hollow chamber causes it to float. Seeds that sink are still dense and (supposedly) viable.
I bought Yellow Crookneck squash last year (from Totally Tomatoes) and I tried to start them both in pots and in my heated germinator. They never sprouted. Not in the paper towel, either. I finally contacted the seed company and they sent me another pack which, surprisingly, sprouted just fine. I have no clue what happened to the first pack.
Kris
Thank you for your responses! I appreciate it :) Yes, digdirt, I'm as "bad" as my daughter for not putting in drainage holes - guess I've done it for so long that I figured it was the best way (although, if they had had holes, the particle board shelf they were on would probably have been ruined!).
Here's what I did, I gently and grabbed the serranos first turned them so the water could drain out of the corner. That was working wonderfully, then "plop" - out came all the soil and seedlings - argh! So I quickly repotted them in some fresh soil. They aren't dead yet! We'll see how hardy they are.
Then, having learned from the serranos, I gently placed my hand over the beardstongue and drained them out the side corner. So far so good, I put them on a heat pad to expedite evaporation (I had it out for the petunias). We'll see what happens. If I had another plug in, I'd put the fan on them too but right now my strip is full.
I'd love to put them outside but we haven't seen the sun in 4 days. Tomorrow's high is supposed to be 25! Spring is just so unpredictable :)
There is a detailed step-by-step how to FAQ over on the Growing Tomatoes forum that will answer most of your questions. I linked it below.
Only 3 days? Then I sure wouldn't be worried yet. Start being a little concerned after 10-12 days. ;) 75 degree SOIL temp can get you germination in 30 days but you don't have that - one reason why using bottom heat is so strongly recommended. 70 degree air temp translates to 50-60 degree soil temp in wet soil. At that temp, germination may take up to 2 weeks.
Mold is a sign that your peat pellets are too wet. That too can slow germination. They don't need to be pitched, just allowed to dry a bit with some air exposure. Just prop up the dome a bit for a few hours a day.
Transplanting is usually done once the plants develop at least 1 set of true leaves and feeding begins - using a diluted 1/4 to 1/2 strength liquid fertilizer shortly after transplanting IF the potting mix you use does not already contain some fertilizers.
You can transplant them into anything from nursery cell packs to foam coffee cups with holes punched in the bottom and filled with any good quality soil-less potting mix. Be sure to remove the pellet netting at that time.
Dave
Here is a link that might be useful: FAQ - How to grow tomatoes from seed
Thank you,
Yeah I knew that I did not have much to worry about, I just have nothing else to obsess over (I usually go from researching green cars to home to plant to anything). I am going to get a spray bottle because the top of the pellets get dry before the bottom. I am going to try and find a spot where they will be a little warmer.
I am going out for dinner now and then I am going to the store, hope all goes well
Mack