6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
So far,my experience with chilling involved only the seeds. I put them in the back of the refrigeator for a few weeks, then plant them as soon as i take them out. I've only had a few varieties that need this, and I was successful. I keep a simple notebook/journal each year telling me when I sowed, where I intended to plant, what the germination time is, size of plant, etc. When sowing the flats, I do my best to keep the germination times together. As I watch the germination progress, i note in the journal when the true leaves form, when I transplant into pots, and anything else I think might help the next year. I try to time the transplanting so i can get them into the greenhouse when the night temps don't drop below 50*. Being New England it doesn't always work out that way, and the pots stay in the basement under the lights for a while. My greenhouse isn't heated right now, so it's more of a really big cold frame.
Well, I could not help myself. Just received another order of seeds. Gotta get busy sowing. I'm building a new hoophouse in the back yard. Not enough room in the existing greenhouse lol. I'll use my benches in the greenhouse as a transplant station, then move everything into the hoophouse. If I can ever get to that point.
I don't use a heat mat, I have kind of an improvised setup right now. Distant Incandescent bulbs turned on in greenhouse until emergence, then I put fluorescent lights on the emerged seedlings. Kind of a pain, but I don't have the cash at the moment for the more professional equipment.
As far as my current seedlings, it's not that they're wispy, but rather that many have already totally died (Thanks to being trampled by animals) or have lost leaves (Insects, but I'm not sure which kind. Never seen it in the process!)
Trampled by animals will do it. :)
Got a cardboard box you can line with aluminum foil? Set the container of seeds down in the box and stick an incandescent bulb (40-60 wt) in the top and lay a towel over top of the box. Good heat source.
Dave
I don't like planting seeds, I don't like transplanting, I don't like gardening, but I start loads of seeds every year because I love flowers, herbs and vegetables. I try to minimize transplanting by sowing the seeds into 9 oz. opaque plastic cups filled with organic potting soil for everything except the greedies (i.e. squash family), which I sow into 18 oz. plastic cups. Beware of clear plastic; you can't read what you write on clear plastic backed by dark soil. Then later I transplant directly into the garden.
Once they germinate, I put trays of the cups out in the sun during the day, as long as it isn't too cold, and put them on my windowsills at night. I don't reuse them, I recycle them instead. I haven't had a problem with damping off, so I'm afraid to push my luck by reusing them.
As far as what all these plastic cups with seedlings look like shoved into every sunny spot, the answer is: cool! It makes my house look like a greenhouse.
I use numerous free containers from assorted sources. Many types and sizes of leftover nursery pots and 6 or 12 packs, plastic jugs, lettuce boxes, 1 and 2 LTR bottles, and cups of all sizes. Even the styrofoam cup-o-noodles cups that my son used to eat! This year I had to toss a couple, because they got torn, but I've been using those crazy cups for at least 5 years.
I do re-use containers for years, that is very important because it saves resources, and I am lazy, I do not want to search for or prepare containers every year.
I found a couple dozen brand new Solo cups along the side of the road once, and scooped those up. They make great containers. Some of the Solo cups I've been using for almost 20 years, and sometimes I will tape them if they tear a little to make them last a little longer.
As for transplanting, I kind of like to transplant, it's pretty easy to transplant seedlings, the hard work comes when you have to tend the seedlings out in the garden and keep them alive long enough to become grown-ups :).
Daylily seedlings in Cup O-Noodles cups that are lined up inside an old refrigerator drawer -
Never. Lots of discussions here about how heat mats are for germination only. Once germinated they can quickly kills roots.
Seeds need heat to germinate but seedlings require cooler air temps for growing. The ideal growing range of air temps for seedlings is 60-65.
Dave
I think It just might be to early for pumpkin I useally plant mine in mid June. But I'm in California. They might be stressed from the transplant. I would try putting them in a dark area for a couple of days. might promote the plant to search for light and increase growth a bit.
If you are using an orchid mix that dries out incredibly fast that is most likely your problem. It dries out before your plants have a chance to take up the moisture. Under the humidity lids the moisture hangs around until the plants take up the moisture it needs but once out of the lids it can't get enough When you transplant put them in a good soilless mix that has good drainage like pro mix. Damp off doesn't come if you water properly. It comes if you overwater.
Cucumbers do not have to be started ahead. In my zone 3 they are fine growing from seed. One year I planted my greenhouse grown Cukes and next to them I planted seed. 3 weeks after the sprouts from the seed were up both were the same size and produced at the same time. Now I never prestart Cukes
Whoa, just trying to get you the best help. I note you are new to the forums and many don't realize that there are hundreds of different topic-specific forums.
Just a quick browse of this forum reveals the discussion focus is indoor growing; flowers and vegetable transplants from seed. While the Lawn forum focuses on grass growing and it's associated needs and problems.
But you are free to post it where ever you wish of course.
Dave
Unfortunately you have to plant the same grass most grasses will not take over another. I just redid my lawn ripping out all of the saint augastine. It depends on your area and what time grass you have. Where are you located and temperature. If temparture is above 70 then you could easily reseed yard and rake in.
Frankymac: I bought some huacatay seeds from Alabama Co a few years ago but not a single one germinated--people say it is fairly easy to grow so I took it kind of personally :)
I grew up in Piura as a child and I am very jealous of all your ajies, could you tell me if you have been able to germinate and grow Huacatay yourself?
Thanks a lot
Here is a link to your post of this question from several years back. I think it answers all your questions. You'll also find discussions about growing it over on the Herbs forum, since that is basically what it is, a herb.
I Googled for seeds and found several sources listed.
Dave
Here is a link that might be useful: Your previous post of this question
I have grown this variety for years in my zone 3 garden. I started them from seed as you did. The problem with direct sowing is the length of time they need to become a viable plant. I'd say save your seed and start them next year.
This is a very short lived perennial. It blooms so profusely that it actually blooms itself to death. I cut off any blooms about 3 weeks before frost to strengthen the plant. Even with that I still save seeds and plant them every couple of years so I always have this lovely plant
Here in zone 6 I direct sow coreopsis yearly. I literally prepare the soil and broadcast the seed then water a bit, that's it, germinates in a week or so. Now this was with some coreopsis variety that was grown by my grandma and she gave me the seed. Note that coreopsis is incredibly easy to start indoors as well. You're not late, start a few inside under heat if possible and they will germinate quickly.
Well, if you don't mind tootling up to Petaluma, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds has a store there (called The Seed Bank) on the corner of N. Petaluma Blvd. and Washington. They have the two varieties you mentioned and are reasonably priced. I love that place.
Edited to add: I think I should warn you they're closed on Saturday.
Here is a link that might be useful: Petaluma Seed Bank
This post was edited by lelia on Fri, Apr 12, 13 at 14:41
Most all the colored peppers are hybrids and any store-bought peppers with the exception of red chilis and jalapeno will be too.
You can separate and transplant them now. The sooner the better given how close they are growing together. Just handle them by the leaves not the stems.
Dave
Sara,
Thought a lot about that also.
Always felt that seeds that need dark, germinate under the fully leafed out mother plant before the mother plant dies. I concluded that was it. But then I read that there are other seeds that drop in dark places like swamps, etc. They need dark.
Maybe others naturally grow under tree or plant leaves that have fallen.
But as you say, "For seeds planted under the soil, it's dark anyway. " Certainly think that makes sense.
Don't think that dark means dark, rather shade. But then I am still experimenting. May change my mind tomorrow. :-)
I've never had success either way. In the shade they will sprout, but then grow sooo fast that by the time you uncover to check them in the morning they are 2 inch long threads that never recover....I find vinca hard to grow.