6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

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

is it OK to have water always in the bottom until the seeds germinate?

No, never leave water standing in the tray because yes, you can rot the seeds and you can rot the roots once seeds are germinated. Fill the tray, let the cells absorb what they want and then dump out the rest. Soil that is too moist compacts and the water forces the oxygen out of the soil - that air is just as important as water is, perhaps even more important.

Your soil only needs to be "moist" (like a wrung out sponge is a common example given) not WET. ;)

Dave

    Bookmark     February 20, 2009 at 3:01PM
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californian

I just killed a whole tray of expensive tomato seeds by keeping them too wet. Also, I have killed seedlings by using too much fertilizer. Just a learning process.

    Bookmark     February 21, 2009 at 7:47PM
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countrypumkin(Oregon 8)

Sorry, I'm using rope light to set them on for bottom heat. Yes they get at least 12 hours of sun light, I think, it's noon here and the sun is still on the greenhouse, the greenhouse is to the east of our house so the sun will hit it for another hour or two (we have no trees around):(

I was worried about the air temp at night mostly. it still get down in 40's.

Here's picture from last year are they leggy?

    Bookmark     February 21, 2009 at 3:21PM
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francescod(6b/7a VA)

They look a little leggy to me. It is not only the length of the day but the intensity/quality of light. 12 hours of day light in the winter is not equivalent to 12 hours of light in the late spring or summer. I doubt that you get 12 hours of day light now. The days simply aren't that long yet. That won't happen until the equinox. When growing seedlings indoors or during the winter, it is generally recommended that they get from 14 to 16 hours of light. You'll need to use supplemental lighting to achieve this a prevent legginess. If you don't mind leggy plants and have been happy with your results, don't change what you are doing.

Air and soil temperature is critical to the development of plants and in particular young seedlings. You don't want them to even get close to freezing at this point. Cool (40 to 50ºF) air temperature is often used as a natural growth regulator.
In general, young seedlings will do best if kept at around 60ºF or slightly higher. This is an optimum and doesn't mean that plants won't survive if the optimum can't be met. Usually, once a plant has reached transplant size the temperature can then be reduced to finish growing the plant on. Yours have barely sprouted and if the bottom heat is all you have to warm the plants then keep them there. If you have heaters then you can remove the bottom heat if you want it won't hurt. Depending on what you are growing, I personally wouldn't want my seedlings or young plants for that matter to be growing in 40º temps, even temporarily. Especially, warm loving veggies or herbs like peppers, eggplant, and basil.

    Bookmark     February 21, 2009 at 7:31PM
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bluto20

what clumsy means by weaker seedlings is if you planted multiple seeds in one pot/compartment for you to leave the seedling that gets the first true set of leaves FIRST and remove the others (in that same pot/compartment) by way of cutting them off, low to the soil surface, with scissors so that the one you leave will grow to its fullest.

    Bookmark     February 20, 2009 at 1:12AM
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ironside(Zone 5 Ohio)

Keep your grow lights on for aobut 18 hours a day. Keep them about 4 inches away from the seedlings.

    Bookmark     February 21, 2009 at 12:41PM
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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

They are dependable grown from seed. I have never given them any special care and germination was always good. Most of my plants I germanate at about 70 degrees including lavender. I have never stratified lavender seed. Al

    Bookmark     February 21, 2009 at 10:24AM
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vickz5

thanks for info al.. i will move them to a warmer location. i'm glad to hear they are dependable, first time i've grown them from seed. here in illinois hoping will be more economical, i can treat as an annual. aha - tired of buying plants that ussually don't survive winter. tx again

    Bookmark     February 21, 2009 at 10:49AM
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sarahbarah27(5)

What good ideas! I am always trying to find inexpensive alternatives rather than purchasing them from the garden center.

Sarah

    Bookmark     February 18, 2009 at 8:12AM
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missti

I bought a box of "drink" straws (the short one used for bar drinks) - and I cut them in half for tagging seedling trays. I use the green painters tape and a permanent marker to write a little "flag" and then just put the tape (folded in half) over the straw.

It doesn't get moldy (like popsicle sticks have for me...) and the tape doesn't wear out (like paper would).

Once they are transplanted into larger pots - I just use a whole straw instead of cutting.

You get about 200 straws for a buck - cheap and effective.

:-)

    Bookmark     February 21, 2009 at 10:39AM
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wordwiz

How do you keep the seeds from falling through the perlite?

Mike

    Bookmark     February 20, 2009 at 4:28PM
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jeremyjs

There are only 3 important differences I've been able to ascertain. The t5 is more efficient, costs more, and has a longer bulb/ballast life. Other than that there are no differences as far as growing plants. The t5 gets about 10-12 more lumens per watt than the t12, but you can get 3 4' t12 lamps and good bulbs for about the cost as 1 t5 with good bulbs.

    Bookmark     February 18, 2009 at 12:07PM
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rawb(5, Erie shoreline)

Hey all, thanks for the replies. I think I am going to go with two 2ft T8's. I would like to go 2 wide, but alas the budget won't allow for that this yr. So I am hoping two should suffice.

I am growing under an abandoned 55 gal aquarium stand, and will have the area inclosed with foil covered cardboard. Hopefully that will keep it bright enough, that the seedlings not directly under the lights won't get leggy. Guess I'll find out! LoL.. Thanks again.

Rob

    Bookmark     February 20, 2009 at 6:50AM
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clumsygrdner

Lights!

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 12:26PM
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bluto20

i've tried the south facing window last year with no success and i'm doing the fluorescents this year. BIG difference! go lights baby!

    Bookmark     February 20, 2009 at 1:14AM
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

Check out the Seed Saving forum here (linked on this forum's front page). There are a number of FAQ's there on several of the most common veggies, when and how to save their seed. You might check through them.

Otherwise, most veggies are best harvested for seed several days AFTER reaching their peak - over-ripe in other words. That way you know the seeds are mature. Others like leafy greens need to be allowed to bloom, seed and dry before harvesting.

Dave

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 9:01PM
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kandm(8b coastal alabama)

I would place the seeds on top of your refrigerator at the very least rather than the floor. Warm air rises and you want the soil temp to be warm enough to trigger germination. The reason people put a lid on the seeds is to create a warm, moist environment which is ideal for germination. To avoid mold/fungus you have to air out the seeds for a few hours, ie remove the covering.

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 1:28AM
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lotus_bud

I start a lot of seeds and all are put on a heat mat which is like 70. You need a good book that will tell you to cover or not, light or not. Most seed go by cover the seed twice the size of the seed. Some germ. with no light needed. Do not start seeds to early if they can not be set out as the will get leggy. The book will tell you growing from seed to finish plant. Ball has a book.

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 3:26PM
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clumsygrdner

Sow completely covered for the flax and lilies. I'm not sure about the African Foxglove at all... You'll want to allow one full year for germination for the toad lilies. But it may not take that long for all of them. Lilies and flax self-sow very easily so I really recommend an outdoor sowing method. If you don't have a cold frame, please go to the wintersowing forum and read the FAQ on how to make a mini coldframe.

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 12:43PM
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morz8(Washington Coast Z8b)

Ceratotheca triloba - African Foxglove - 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Barely cover the seeds, germination in approx 7 - 10 days. Annual

Toad lily, tricyrtis, fresh seed - sow barely covered 65-70F for germination in 30-90 days. Dry stored seed: Tricyrtis hirta, latifolia, and maculata, Sow 64-70F for 2-4 weeks, move to 40F for 4-6 weeks, move to warmer but still cool, 50F, for germination. Tricyrtis macropoda, dry stored seed , sow 40F, germination irregular, often several months

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 2:25PM
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anewgarden

Thank you very much!!

Audrey

    Bookmark     February 17, 2009 at 2:34PM
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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

When the stem containing the spend flowers/seed heads drys, I cut it off the plant and insert it upside down into a large brown paper grocery bag. I mark the plant name on the bag and put the bag in the house in a well ventilated closet or any dry area where they will be out of the way. In the evenings during the winter I collect the seed which has fallen into the bottom of the bag and separate the seeds from the chafe. I package and lable the seed and store it for next planting season in a cool dry place. Al

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 9:31AM
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californian

I bought a case of 4 inch plastic pots 15 years ago and am still using them. I just rinse them out at the end of the season and reuse them the next year. I will probably still be using pots from this purchase ten years from now. Just don't leave them sitting out in the sun all year. Spread over 15 years the cost per a use is probably now almost negligible.

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 3:21AM
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sarahbarah27(5)

I was bored one day and i actually made a bunch of these pots! They work pretty good, but it is tedious!!!

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 7:24AM
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jessicavanderhoff(7 Md)

True, true. I've had good luck covering them (maybe an upside down clear storage bin, or glass cake pan, or something). (But if it starts to get warm, take it off!! I formed a nice tarp-table seedling oven last spring) I'll be watching your blog to see how you get along :-)

    Bookmark     February 18, 2009 at 8:49PM
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kandm(8b coastal alabama)

If you can make it to home depot you can buy a good fluorescent light set up for under $20.

Lithonia Lighting 2 Bulb, 40 Watt Fluorescent Shop Light Model 1233 $9.98 - this comes with a little bit of chain but you you might want to buy extra chain and extra S hooks in case you want to install the light some where at eye level.

The bulbs are sold separately but Home Depot has them for a reasonable price. We bought a 2 pack of Philips 40 watt T12 bulbs for $7 but they also have the T8 32 watt which I'm considering (lower wattage for same light output) for $6 for the 2 pack.

    Bookmark     February 19, 2009 at 1:14AM
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retiredprof(7)

The strangest things? Well, I've wintersown in sawed-off vodka and V-8 bottles! ;-0

Funny, I used to think the bottoms of 2-liter soda bottles, milk jugs and water bottles were strange, but they're just so "normal" now they don't even make the list.

Prof

    Bookmark     February 16, 2009 at 2:25PM
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jessicavanderhoff(7 Md)

I'm drip watering with an upside down barbeque sauce bottle, and the reflector panel above my grow lights is a cut up cardboard box wrapped in tin foil. Like the thread :-)

    Bookmark     February 18, 2009 at 8:44PM
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