6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Just really make sure you're up to the commitment to clip those pods. When we moved into our house 20 years ago, the entire back yard was full of sprouting trumpet vine. It was everywhere, from up the side of the house itself to choking the lilac bush, and all open spaces in between. I have used gallons of Round-up over the years in my efforts to control/eradicate it. It has an extremely deep root, near impossible to just pull, and even if you dig below dirtline and cut it still comes back. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to grow the stuff. I probably have an extreme case gone wild, but I recommend being very diligent in your care of the little monster!
You can try insecticidal soap for the seedlings you have growing. You can moisten grow mix you are going to use and heat it in a microwave to 180 degrees. That should take care of any gnats and mold that may develop. Some mixes will not be as sterile as others. You can buy a mix from gardener's supply that will be free of pests but it is not cheap.
I don't see any reason why you shouldn't use it, especially if it's still sealed. I use old (open bag) and recycled potting mix for winter sowing and a sterile mix for starting seeds inside or in the greenhouse. If you are concerned you can sterilize it in the oven but honestly I think that's too much trouble and would just buy a new bag if I was worried about it.
Karyn
My question is: is my house warm enough for germination? Usually the temperature is around 60 plus degrees during the day and at night approx 55-50. Also I've read that putting the seed trays on top of the fridge can help as it's a bit warmer, is that true?
Hi glacier - The house temp isn't warm enough to germinate the seeds but it is correct that you can gain extra bottom heat by setting the container on top the fridge IF your fridge has exposed heat coils on the back. Top of the hot water heater, top of the TV, on top a lamp shade with the light turned on, over a heating vent, etc. There are many extra warm places in the house - you just have to find them. ;) Or you can make a germination box with a cardboard box, a 40 watt bulb stuck in it, and a couple of dowel rods run through it to hold the tray above the bulb.
But most use some sort of heat mat for germination purposes - it's more reliable. There are several discussions here about the various types and where to get them.
Hope this helps.
Dave
PS: Also check out all the FAQ's here (linked at the top of the forum page) for more tips.
well, until about a week ago, they were sitting on the living room coffee table, at a window w/ white blinds.
what does the temp need to be, cooler?
i probably need to cut back on water, but i think when i got home, one was looking a little parched, i watered it, and it's lookn better, but i still think overwater might be the prob.
I don't start feed in until the 3rd set of leaves have developed. I then give the seedlings about half the recommended dosage and then every week increase the dosage.
I have some flowers like Mexixan sunflower(Tithonia) that are in 4" pots and are 8-10" tall so they can use the full dose.
Of any particualr plant or species? Or just pollination in general?
If you Google "pollination" all sorts of links come up full of info ranging from basic to very scientific. I linked one intro one below.
Dave
Here is a link that might be useful: Pollination
You could try potting them in some soil - but I would think in CA you could put the pots on a semi-protected deck or porch, or even outside. There's no light in your refrigerator to support anything with seed leaves. Are you in an area where you would be expecting temps at night to drop much below 38-40F still, that's about what they've been exposed to in your refer.
You do need to think of this as an experiment though - grocery store apples are hybrids and don't come true from seed. You could have apples from a seed grown tree, but there is no way of guaranteeing which one :)
I haven't seen apples do that, but I did find germinated seeds in roma tomatoes one year - and yes I did plant them.
The seed IF planted in soil will produce a apple tree BUT will not resemble the parents. be they Gala or red delicious (etc). would be better served to purchase grafted plants od a desired apple. The same applies to any other fruit tree you have.
Yep, we are still using regular fluorescent bulbs, John, the ones sold at Walmart or most any hardware store or home center. Nothing much has changed about that part. ;) You can buy warm or cool - Kitchen & Bath or Home & Office labels - studies show little difference in results or you can use one of each in each fixture.
Several years back many claimed that the special "grow-light" bulbs were best (and they are still available in some garden centers or online greenhouse vendors like Charley's Greenhouse Supply) but the price is 5x the cost of the plain ones and most studies show no benefit to them for seed starting and growing transplants, only for growing to bloom where their broader spectrum is of benefit.
Hope this helps. Good luck with your seeds.
Dave
Tomatoes and peppers both require 75 degrees minimum. Optimal range is 75-80. They will germinate at 70 degrees but takes longer and rate of germination is reduced.
Most other vegetables will do fine with 65-72.
Dave