6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Well I suppose you could try. ;) The reason seed starting mixes don't have any fertilizer in them is because new germinated seedlings can't handle them - it burns the plant. Only after the seedling develops it first set of true leaves can it benefit from fertilizers.
As to the need for transplanting - there are several detained discussions here about this - but in a nutshell, at least one transplanting is required to trigger fibrous root development - the kind the plant needs to survive and produce. Without that trigger of transplanting the seedling only develops tap roots. It's a hormone thing like "puberty". So, as we always say, do what is best for the plant, not what is most convenient for the gardener. ;)
Dave
Thanks for your help Dave, it was very informative. I wanted to ask if you know anything about moon flowers? I have some growing in a hanging basket,can they stay in the basket or will I need to transfer them to a box with a trellis of some kind? Also the weather here went from 90 degrees to 57 degrees and very overcast with no sun,what can I do to get them more sunlight?
Toni
http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=350893
Someone gave instructions on this message thread on how to grow a coconut from the nut. I think you will have to move though. The tree needs to be planted outside.
http://cookycoconuts.com/Plantgrowacoconut.html
More coconut growing instructions.
http://www.citrusnorth.com/f28/coconut-palm-seed-162/
Some emphasis about warmth required, winter in the house is probably too cool, and the massive growth.
If you are still going to do it with all that, be sure to choose a viable coconut.
http://hafa-adai.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-plant-coconut-tree.html
"With the seeds, the first thing you have to do is to make sure that they are viable. You do this by shaking the coconut seed. If you hear water, the seed is viable. If you don't hear water, the seed is dead."
Time ... sow to transplant (outside) 8-10weeks & sow to flower 13-19 weeks. NOW what to do with the seedlings....good light is needed to prevent getting leggy ie in a windo with good light or in a partially shaded outside area as on north or east side of house... to prevent damping off good air circulation required. not die mostly a function of above plus keep soil damp not wet or DRY
Thank you Anna and rhizo.
I may have panicked too early!
The white growth may be root hair. But I have also seen what looks like white cobwebs linking the seedling to the soil. Someone mentionned that "cobweb" mold is sometimes present in peat pots.
Just in case, I started a whole new batch of seeding. But first I sterilized the peat pot by microwaving them for 3 minutes (as suggested on an internet site).I also bathed 4 peat pots in a very mild bleach solution, rinsed them well, stuck toothpicks in them to identify the bleached ones, and reseeded.
We will see! Very much part of the fun of gardening. For me, each phase, from seed selection to maturing plants are
separate sources of pleasure and wonderment!
Thanks for your input!
André
Thanks so much Dave! So do you think I should situate the greenhouse in a shady area at first? If so, when would it be appropriate to move it into a sunnier area to get the seedlings accustomed to full sun (where they need to be)?
Can the tender seedlings spend the whole day in the greenhouse thing from day one?
I picked up some laundry baskets flat kind and put them over the seedlings all day for a week. Then took the basket off just using it during 11 - 2 for a week. Seems to work well. Wednesday if all goes well and the weather cooperates I should be able to plant.
Before I tried this I put some seedlings in the sun for a couple of hours a day without thinking and started to get sunburnt.
It depends on what you are planting as most seeds get planted at different depths. So without knowing what you are planting it's hard to say.
Some flowers are surface sown while some are planted 1" down. Beans for example get planted 1 to 1 1/2" deep so it would take alot of rain to get to them - best if you plant and then water them well.
The safest bet is to not count on the rain.
Dave
I haven't had problems with paper towels, I guess mainly because the seeds are sitting directly on top of the paper towel that is placed at the bottom of the sandwich plastic container that I can simply peek in to see if anything germinated or not then close the lid. Seems easier than ziplock bag. Seeds just stay in place in the container...
I will have to look at coffee filters because they would keep seeds from sticking to the side of the container where it's a bit wetter...
I started my zinnias in larger 16 oz. clear plastic cups covered by plastic wrap held on with rubber band. Figured I wouldn't have to move them up that way. Don't know if that's a seed germinating "no-no" but with all the pounding rain we're having with resultant gloppy clay soil mess that can't be dug I'm glad they're in larger containers with their little roots growing fine. I know roots are growing because I dropped a couple of cups when moving in and out of rain...LOL. Had to gently put them back in mix and they seem to have survived. Besides, I don't know exactly where different height zinnias are going as to different beds and containers. Had them outside to get some sun for as long as it lasted.
Thanks for the responses. I think in my heart I knew they would have to be moved up. Ugh! It is just that I finished transplanting over 700+ tomato seedlings and am tired of dealing with them. I will take your suggestion, Dave, and round up the big pots, trays, butter containers, etc. that I have.I have about 300+ seedlings to do - nuts!!! I suppose next eyar I could direct seed, but I really wanted a little jump start. :)
Have not grown this one before BUT many tropical & subtropical plants need to be soaked in water for 12-24 hours,