6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

Hello- I am new !! I dont have a heat mat, but do have grow bulbs--can I start seeds without a mat?? I live in Easton Massachusetts. If anyone has additional info I can use the help.

Absolutely you can grow these seeds without a mat (tomato, squash, peppers) and many others. They may take a little longer to germinate but they definitely do not need a heat mat.

Most seeds that do require heat to germinate will say so on the seed packet.

And while a lot of seeds will germinate earlier with bottom heat, there are plenty that are hindered by bottom heat as well.

I've been starting a lot of seeds in the house early for many years and have only started using a heat mat the last couple. The only reason I started using it was because I got one for a gift. I will admit though, it is nice to get faster germination on some things. But definitely not a neccesity for most seeds.

i noticed that my tomato seedlings were doing that same thing last night, when i went to check on them after the lights had been turned off.

I don't grow tomatoes, but I noticed this year that my 4 o'clock seedlings do that. I didn't notice that last year.

I also find it heartbreaking to have to thin out healthy seedlings, so this year I have been sowing seed really thinly. With seeds that I am pretty sure will give near-100% germination (e.g. Amaranthus, tomato, peppers, coleus) I haved just sowed as many as I think I'll need, plus a couple extra. The seedlings grow better from day one as there is less competition around them and they are less prone to damping off.

From my yard I pull healthy, vigorous weeds, in the prime of life, and I do it without a moment's twinge of conscience. So although I sometimes have a fleeting moment of sorrow for the growing-but-not-quite-big-enough seedlings I'm about to yank, I don't see that they are biologically any more worthy than the weeds I discard so cold-heartedly. Sorry, guys: your misfortune is that you grew from the wrong part of the gene pool. Out you go.

As Al said, do NOT pluck - snip. Plucking damages the roots of the remaining ones so snip off all but 3 in each cell - they can grow in clusters.

The other option is to try to transplant several from each cell to other cells - more poppies...if it works. Poppies don't normally take well to transplanting of any kind so are normally direct seeded.

Good luck. ;)

Dave

Dave: Two more questions and I will stop pestering you. Some of my new tomato plants (just got their first sets of true leaves), the original leaves have brown tips on them. Do you think I am over watering or underwatering? Or is it a light issue? I have a picture of it but can't see how to attach a picture to this message. 2. What should I be feeding my little sprouts in your opinion? You are so knowledgeable!! I really appreciate the help.

Dirtbert, I can attest to that. I sowed my Habanero pepper seeds heavily, beginning of March...yesterday, lo and behold...yet one more little pepper sprout was popping up....5 weeks after sowing!

I started my peppers using coffee filters. Put them in a warm spot. And they took over three weeks to germinate. They like warmth and do take awhile but don't give up yet.

This is my first year starting seeds and have tried several different methods. I have to say, I like the coffee filter method the best. As a newbie, I like the fact that I can see when the seeds start sprouting without wondering what is going on underneath the soil.

Good luck!!

I discovered last year that mine germinated after 8 months in the fridge. That was way too long as it was the wrong time of year to put in the ground. My seeds this year have been cooking since October and still no sign of growth.
You may have to experiment to find the best. Keep me informed if you find a quick solution.

I think I'm just going to leave them in their starter pots in the greenhouse, water them as needed and see what happens.

I've heard it's easy and hard to grow them, so I'm just going to play the waiting game :)

Thanks to you who responded...knotz :)

If they "get dry" and have to be watered every day then something is wrong. Or they aren't really dry. ;) Turn the thermostat down in the house.

You may discover when you come back that they have thrived while you were gone because they haven't been over-watered. It's a discovery that happens to many as most tend to way over-water their seedlings. ;) Seedlings will tolerate even periods of wilt better than they will excess water.

Dave

I agree... I water my seedlings about once a week. Also, I do not have any heat in the room where the plant stand is. The room stays at around 65-68F daily. I find that if they are watered more than once a week, the seedlings don't grow as well. I've never had much trouble with my seedlings using this method. I check them every day.

The timer is an excellent idea. I use a heavy duty timer from my Christmas Light display. I works great. The lights are on for around 10 hours a day. I only run 2 florescent lamps off of it but that's all I need.

Thank you all so much-

I plan to pick up some packets asap. Is it too early to sow them in the ground given our cold and damp weather so far this spring?

suebot in CT

Many persons have gotten their first taste of success with marigolds.

I like Calendula because, like marigolds it often self-seeds and this years successes seed next years successes.

An as mentioned, sunflowers.

I used that type of "butterfly mix" last year in several spots in my garden. It flowered a lot, although I'd have to agree with Dave that you end up with different flowers with different heights and colors everywhere. Some pretty small flowers were in the back and you really couldn't see them because other taller flowers were in front of them. I'm a bit of a control freak, so probably won't do that again, as you don't have much control over what you have growing where. Although I did have tons of flowers, so if you don't mind that lack of control over planning, it's not a bad idea.

Allison

Thanks for the replies! The boxes that I am talking about only have one type of flower, just in different colors. I agree, I saw some other boxes that had different flowers and you would have no control over where the flowers end up. Thanks again for your help. I think I may try this as a border plant!

I thought (right or wrong) that Rudbeckia seeds looked like black splinters, and Echinacea seeds looked like monster's teeth. What I was given look like black splinters. Maybe what I was given is just chaff!

I think you're going to have to germinate them, wait two years and then report back on what the flowers look like!

thanks so much for the tips. I'll try all methods. I should have WS knautia but it;s a bit late now. I'll have to do some refrigeration to achieve germination.

By the way, an update on using nail nippers on Canna seeds. That didn't work. The seed was too large and too smooth. I will need to saw that darn shell open.
Ianna

My Knautia did not germinate in a heated germinator.!