6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

I use a potting mix with a wetting agent in it...Pro-Mix. Even then, I knead water into it till just moist. Not the whole bag at once, just the amount I'm using that day. After filling the pots/paks, and planting seeds, I bottom water in a tray for about 2 minutes.That's all it takes when pre-wetting the soil. Too much longer and your soil is waterlogged.

I'm not that concerned about it being water logged because my cellar is has bone dry air and the mix will dry out in a matter of a day or two anyway.

But yes I agree, next time I shouldn't bottom water once I've wet it with the use of the bucket.

Sorry but yes, they are very leggy. All that stem is due to too much heat and not nearly enough light.

Depending on what they are some might be able to be salvaged by transplanting them deeply now and burying all that stem to just a hair below the tops.. Better yet, start over.

Dave

Agree... Way leggy... but I've been there too. Here is what I've done from experience that seems to work:

>> CFL or T5 TOUCHING the dome on your seed starting greenhouse cover right at the start of day 1 (this way if you miss the germination because you're at work, etc...)
>> SOIL-LESS mediums such as ROCKWOOL are SUPERIOR to soil for GERMINATION PURPOSES.
>> Use a heat mat WITH a thermostat controller. Regulated 77F gives me about 75% germination in 3 days, and THIS season, 100% in 7 days (has to be a fluke, but still pretty good!).
>> As soon as you see the first seed break the top, open all vents to MAX and discontinue use of HEAT MAT.

It is NOT too late to start again! But start to harden off asap and see what makes it.

Good luck,

LC

Dave, good thing I read your reply just before going to bed last night. I went back downstairs, turned the heat mat off and removed the dome cover. One of my pepper varieties hadn't germinated yet so I hope it still does. I made the mistake of mixing varieties in six-cell packs. The yellow peppers on the LHS of the cell packs germinated but the orange peppers on the RHS of the same cell packs did not germinate yet. Yet another lesson learned.

Yep - no mixing varieties in the same cell packs. If necessary just cut the cell pack into 3 packs.

Dave

How do I create low light in a dark cellar? Perhaps I could raise the ratchet carabiners on my lights so instead of being inches from the flat, maybe 2-3 feet from the flat?

What could be said for the seeds themselves (since I depleted my suppy). Are they ruined? Or still waiting for the right germination conditions?

The assumption is that you purchased the seed, it wasn't collected? You could have just received bad seed. The other thing that comes to mind is that you "cooked" the seed, or the seed dried out after it imbibed water, then died.

I got a fixture that is currently holding 2 t8 bulbs, which each emit 2600 lumens. A problem, though, is that the fixture is completely black. Can I use foil or something on the inside of it to reflect light?

CakePlant, have you considered spray painting the fixtures (at least inside) with white enamel? That seems like an easy long-term solution to me.

neuf -since you are starting a new topic with a new question it would be best to begin a new thread. People tend to keep their eye on the new stuff coming in rather than looking back at older threads. However ....

The 'biodome' looks just like any other seed tray with a plastic lid, as far as I can see, plus sponges which are pointless. It would be cheaper and easier to invest in some simple trays, square modules (pots) and some seed starting mix. This contraption claims to prevent spindly seedlings which is nonsense. It is the correct amount of light which will do that, not a plastic dome.

Agree with what floral said above. There have been several previous discussions here about them - most negative. I linked one below and the search will pull up others if interested. If you have more questions about them please start a new discussion.

Save your money. Annuals are easy to grow with a simple and inexpensive set-up.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Park's Biodome discussion

Thanks brandon 7! Yupp those are Lowe's specials...... LOL Practical though... Wheels are a must.... Makes transporting from shop to GH a breeze!

Soooo.......... Are plants hardened off when they come out of the GH?

Somewhat but not fully. Temps, usually, yes. But not to wind exposure and most triple wall cuts UV sun exposure by 30% so exposure still needs care.

Dave

Here are some more. Thought I added them before but I don't see them here now.

http://www.germination.us/

http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/content/seed-germination-tips.htm

http://www.thymewilltell.com/seeds.html

Dave

Thanks Dave,
The links are packed with great info. It's hard to image how much time was spent to put together each site.

Thanks Brandon!

No doubt we have the best list of sites.
Bob

Many (most?) professional and serious hobbyist iris growers are also hybridizers. If you are wanting to try to grow the next great cultivar, stop by and talk to one of these people. They'll probably hook you up with plenty of seeds. You could also check with your local iris society chapter. I didn't collect iris seeds this year or I would send you some.

Oh, I forgot, you could also check out the Iris Forum here on GardenWeb. I can pretty much guarantee someone there will help you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Iris Forum

I am bumping up a rather old post here, but I wanted to share some results.

For whatever reason in the past I've not had much success with sprouting poms. I had a store-bought fruit sitting in the back of my fridge for about 3 months and I finally decided to crack it open and give the seeds a go. Effectively they were cold stratified in-fruit.

I tested two germination procedures: I filled two plastic cups with some damp potting soil and scattered about a dozen seeds on top of each. I then lightly scattered a layer of soil on top (about 1/4 inch). On one cup I put aluminum foil as per va_canuck's post (poked a few holes); the other cup was left open. Both where left indoors in indirect natural light. The open cup got misted every day to keep the top layer of soil from drying.

After about a week and a half:
Open cup = 0
Foil lid = 6

Hello,
Pomegranates are wonderful plants, I grew one before but died unexpectedly. The method I used was in this linkhttp://www.muslimgrower.com/discussionforum/showthread.php?t=49, Hope it helps

In my little yard, the squirrels tear up any freshly turned soil. There doesn't have to be anything there for them, they just seem compelled. I have to protect newly seeded spots with some barrier. Onion bags work for a small spot. In flower pots I use gravel or river stone on the surface.

Petrushka - I think your idea may work best, should help discourage birds as well. I'll give it a try - and hang on to the trays to cover my bulbs when I plant this Fall/Spring. Thanks.

davek - same here. I was afraid of turning into my grandfather, sitting on my deck with a BB gun, potting squirrels.

Did you harden off your seedlings before you moved them outside?

Not sure about your exact location but in general I'd think early March to be too early for maters to be outside. Granted Denver is a much different place then Washington, but were getting snow and night temps in the 20's still. If your night temps are consistently still several degrees below 50, those little dears are probably freezing to death.

These are still in door and under grow light. I just temporarily removed for photo shot that was all. I am just wondering, do I need a heat mat for this?
Perhaps, the ambient temperature is still too cold for it ??