6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Hi Janie,
IâÂÂm growing Nicotiana alata âÂÂGrandifloraâ for the first time now. I started the seeds on March first and just planted two of the plants outside a couple of days ago; theyâÂÂre about 24 inches tall. I have one more still in the basement under lights thatâÂÂs about 20 inches tall.
The germination was fast (7 days) but I didnâÂÂt keep any record of their growth rate. As I recall, their growth rate was just normal, nothing especially fast or slow. If you started yours a month ago, they should certainly not be tiny.
What growing medium are they growing in, does it contain any nutrients? WhatâÂÂs your lighting setup? Can you post a picture of the setup?
Art
I grow this plant every year and started them indoors. They were rather small when I first planted them outside. Maybe an inch or two. After the first year, they reseeded themselves in profusion and some also came back from the roots! I live in northern ohio so I'm about zone 5b or 6a. Once the warm weather comes, they grow very quickly and put on quite a show. Mine get 4-5 feet tall. Good luck!
Be prepared to wait about 4 years to get fruit from it though, and you don't know what you'll get since they're like apples and don't grow true from seed. Better to buy plants in 1 or 2 gal pots and plant those, or root cuttings from older plants.
Best site I know of for blueberry growing info is from U of Maine
Here is a link that might be useful: U of Maine videos on growing blueberries
I hope these aren't still sitting on a heat mat. If so, remove them ASAP.
No they are not big enough to plant outside even if the weather permitted. As Zach said they are very leggy so I would transplant them ASAP into somewhat larger containers and bury all that stem. While you can transplant young seedlings to containers at any time most wait until they develop some true leaves just to make them easier to handle. I wouldn't wait on these as they are going to start breaking over, The weak stem can't hold up the head weight..
But unless you can solve the light issue I'm afraid they are just going to turn leggy again.
Good luck.
Dave
Those are definitely etoliated, and will need hardening off if you want them to have any chance of surviving outdoors. Here are some of my plants under a t5 light setup where the seedlings are generally within 20 inches of the light bulbs. You can use metal halides, HPS, LEDs, or anything with decent wattage.
For example, I have 4X 50 watt tubes, and I still feel like I would be better off with a stronger setup.
These are angled luffa and tomato seedlings.
Sorry I think these questions were covered in your previous post about this. Didn't the "how-to video" cover this?
Whether they require cold stratification on not depends on the variety and you don't know the variety. If northern grown then yes the odds are they need it. If southern grown, probably not. Your choice. All you can do is try it both ways and see what happens.
How successful? Unknown since it is not the normal way to grow blueberries so it is seldom done...
It takes several weeks to germinate if they do and then several years before they produce fruit if they survive.
Dave
Stuck seed coats - aka helmet heads - require a very special method of removal. :) Spit, saliva. The enzymes in it quickly soften the shell so it can fall off or be easily remoned. Works better than anything else.
Just dab a drop of saliva on it wait an hour or so and it should slip off easily. Repeat application as needed.
1/4" long roots for just germinated seedlings is normal but should double in length within 24-48 hours assuming proper media and growing conditions.
Dave
Sunflowers are, in my opinion, some the easiest seeds to start. In warm soil, they usually sprout within a few days without any special treatment. Last year my toddler got ahold of a packet of sunflower seeds, I had them growing everywhere, cracks in the sidewalk, pepper pots, the pea gravel, you name it haha.
Id nix the soaking on those, since I don't see anything to be gained from it anyways.
This post was edited by ZachS on Wed, Apr 23, 14 at 20:35
Wow! Thanks, Dave! You've been a big help! I am going to try again taking all your advice! It's amazing that the soil blocks are still too wet today, even after they have not been watered or covered for 3 days (and I live in a dry climate). I was definitely watering way too much! I was so worried about them drying out... I gave them a little spray everyday, when I should have been not watering them at all, and letting them dry out a bit.
If anyone else has any advice, I'll be checking back soon ;)
Digdirt is right on the money with is suggestions.
Though, I'm also wondering if the soil blocks make it a bit challenging to begin with. I have no experience with them but looking at your pictures, I am wondering if they tend to try out faster compared to seed starter trays. So, you end up watering more to prevent drying it out and end up watering too much.
You said, you have had success with starting seeds in the past. Have you used the blocks back than as well or is this a new method?
Thanks for the reply naturemitch!
The browning on the tips hasn't spread, which is promising. I think you're right; it's just some minor scarring from coming in contact with the bulbs. I picked up some Dr. Earth Organic Home Grown liquid fertilizer (4-6-2) at Sky Nursery here in Seattle. I'll apply a half dose today to give them a shot of nutrients. I also plan to adjust my watering schedule, basically finger test that the mix is dry a half inch or so down before watering again.
Will post an update with pictures in a few days.
I agree with naturemitch. It's most likely a bit of burn from getting too close to the light. Happens to my plants from time to as well when I forget to raise up the lights.
Curious if you have a noticed a change with your new watering schedule. Overwatering is definitely a common problem. But your plants look really good. So, I don't think you have done any major damage here.
Excellent Post!
Love the Time lapse photo's.
Hope you don't mind us using it for reference.
Here's a helpful link for Zoysia Grass Seeds.
Email me for coupons if interest free shipping / discounts etc.
info@seedworld.us
Thanks,
Shane
Here is a link that might be useful: Zoysia Grass Seed
Wow, no sidewalk. I like it. More grass, less concrete.