Seed Starting 201, the Next Level
by the length of time required to germinate them so each group will be ready to move off the heat mat at the same time. Once the new seedlings have produced true leaves, they are off and running to plant out time. Now they need to be carefully tended so that they 1) have adequate light - 4 to 6 inches below the tubes of your fluorescent lights, 2) never dry out, but are not soggy, and 3) are moved on to the next size container as soon as their leaves reach over the sides of the one they are in. The annuals will seem to grow the fastest. Their very nature tells them to hurry up. They must get the blooming and seeding done in one season. The perennials may appear to stand still and grow very little if at all. Don't be fooled into trying to push them. Their nature demands that they produce a healthy root system for staying power before they spend resources on top growth. In due time they will begin to put on that growth. In the meantime you will have your hands full keeping the annuals repotted. Letting young plants become root bound is as stunting a stress as letting them dry out on their way to planting out time. Don't let your hard work go down the drain. It is really fun to work with them and look forward to the beauty you will have when you plant them out.
Feeding is not the important point, but everyone wants to do it. So get a good plant food that is compatible with your water. In Minnesota (and many places where the municipal water has a high pH), a liquid fertilizer like Schultz's instant or the organic fish emulsion are better than water solubles like Miracle Gro because they are not salt-based. Use them at half the strength recommended starting when the little plants have at least 3 sets of true leaves. Due to this same pH problem with municipal water supplies, it is best to water your seedlings with reverse osmosis, distilled, dehumidifier produced or melted snow water. Never use water that has been "softened". That process depends on the addition of salts to do the softening. The mineral build up and high pH will cause the seedlings to starve because they will be unable to use the nutrients you are supplying. If you have
Latest Articles