6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

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 -

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.

I just got back from Piura. bought some huacatay seeds along with Rocoto and Aji Limo. The company name is Alabama S.A. out of Callao Lima. This stuff is pretty easy to get nowadays.

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

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

Lelia: Thanks so much for the tip. You are right, I saw they were closed today :( but I put them on my list of places to visit on the next trip. Thanks so much

I actually didn't know they were hybrids. How much bigger should I let them get before I separate them? Thanks for the luck! :)

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

It's less trouble for me to plant the seed directly into the permanent container.

Can someone explain the how to sow directly into the pot for tomato seeds? Am I filling the pot only slightly, then waiting for the seed to germinate. And as the stem grows, I add more soil?

or do i fill the entire container with soil and amendments and plant the seed towards the surface of the mix?

This post was edited by gardenweb88 on Fri, Apr 12, 13 at 21:21

Am I filling the pot only slightly, then waiting for the seed to germinate. And as the stem grows, I add more soil?

Just like that. Check out all the FAQs here too. They cover all the basics.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing from Seed FAQs

yeah the whole plant looks healthy besides the one cotyledon.. i just gave it 1/4 strenght of fertilizer

here is a picture of it,it started to brown a day after i re potted it.maybe i didnt bury the root far down enough if that has anything to do with it.
this is 3 days after it started to brown

lots of daylilies here :) Im about to start tomatoes, but need to buy another light first lol :)

Woo-hoo! Finally finished! Well not entirely. I still have to fill in the boxes with soil & transfer my seedlings. I had to get my in-laws out here to finish the final stretch. We got rain yesterday & the day before, so everything is settled in nicely. I still have to build a fence-type trellis for my gourds. Not sure yet on where to have it.