6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Once germinated (that needs higher temps) 60-65 is a good growing-on temp range as it slows top growth, allows roots to catch up, and encourages sturdy plants (assuming sufficient light - very important). It is the temp range maintained by many greenhouses for plants so you should be ok plus your lights will also provide some localized heat.
But basements can be more moldy so good air circ and low humidity will help. Good luck.
Dave
Considering I probably have $5000 worth of plants in there, he considers it a bargain! Still need to know how the daturas should be repotted. Have brugs but this is the first time with daturas. Do they have deep roots or a wide rooting system? Rec'd 1 seedpod from a friend & now have 28 double lavender swirls. Selling all but 2 for myself & need to keep potting those 2 up until they can fill 2 big, beautiful 18" pots. Any suggestions?
Carol
I have nothing but good things to say about Value Seeds. I was turned on to this company 2 months ago by GW members. I have had great germination rates. Their shipping was a little slow, bot tolerable. For the price, I can't go wrong.
Chris
I'm curious to try these, especially to produce transplants of plants with sensitive roots such as melons, cukes, and squash (and even peas and beans). Are there any problems caused by the soil being wetter than with the usual seed-starting method? With capillary matting, do roots grow out the bottom? Is a moist capillary mat enough to keep the top of the block (where the seed is) moist during germination? Would you still use a humidity dome? Do blocks require any special attention?
Emily,
You have to "charge the blocker" a few times to get the blocks to compress together. By that time the blocker will feel very heavy and will want to stick to the bottom of your tub. This is when you have to tilt slightly while turning at the same time to release the suction off the bottom. And, Elliot Coleman's recipe is all about using good rich garden soil and well aged vegetable compost. Did you try those two ingredients?
Here is a link that might be useful: The world's resource for soil block gardening.
Not big shrubs, but tall annuals. Sow 75-80F days, drop temps by 10F at night helpful. Germination within approx 14 days, if no germination in that length of time give the seeds 2 weeks moist chill and bring back to warmth. Or, just begin with the 2 weeks moist chill and assume they will need it :)
"Start seeds indoors four weeks before the last frost or plant them directly outdoors in spring after danger of frost has passed. Space the plants about 1 foot apart. They will often reseed themselves. The seeds will lie dormant until spring. Hybrids will not breed true"
I had three of these beautiful plants in S. Texas but moved to Arkansas, (hard to believe it but same zone)!
I know they make a lot of seeds, but mine were too old by the time we found a permanent home. None of them came up.
Does anyone have some seeds from last year that they would part with? I would be glad to pay something for them, and the postage.
Thanks pottingblockguru. I knew they were a nightshade but had never heard those other names, just yesterday, today and tomorrow. Maybe I shouldn't give up on the others that I planted yet as it's only been a few weeks? About how long for germination?
Karyn
These haven't even really started to leaf out yet. They are just 3" long white hairs.
I have them in medium light, not direct sun as I don't want them all to shrivel and die.
I guess I'll just have to see what happens. If they leaf out, perhaps, when I transplant them I can plant them deeper so they won't be so leggy...
Schizanthus is what we call a dicot. It has two seed leaves or cotyledons. and no matter how leggy a seedling gets even right after germination, you should be able to see the cotyledons, no matte how small. your description doesn't sound like a dicot seedling.
I don't know if you mean true indigo - Indigofera (hot water soak 24 hours, sow cool 55-65F for germination in 30-90 days) OR, false indigo, Baptisia (Pour hot water over seeds, let soak 1-3 days until swelling noticeable. Sow at 68ºF for germination in more than two weeks).
All I have to say is WOW! Well said feldon. I have made lame attempts at growing from the seeds from produce from grocery stores or plant stands and have realized they may not be true to parent, but if they taste like garbage to begin with, and taste like garbage after I harvest them they are still garbage. If someone likes the tasteless produce at the store, they will like the tasteless veggies they produce. Case closed. I like to buy seeds, and have great plants or trade seeds and have great plants. I surely dont want what I pay the grocery store for.
OMG yes Feldon you were very kind to try to educated "squeeziemonkey" (what kind of name is that anyway?) and I'm sorry that there are people like her/him in the world that can be so ungrateful and rude to someone who is only trying to help them. I agree 100% with everything you said (as I have also tired squeezie's suggested method of saving some money and it was a massive failure) and i also agree with what "girlndocs" said. Squeezie if this is just a "stupid plantsite" then why are you even here? For God's sake, please try to control your temper and treat others with the kindness and respect that they have treated you.
I have the same thing but noticed with more light and some sand and tea water they seem to be standing up again. I am going to try a transplant to a larger continer because they are in seed flats now.
Good luck and let us know how it works out.
I'll put some extra light on them. Do you just add the sand over the existing potting mixture? Also, what is tea water?
Thanks!
Allison