Seed
Starting Tips
Containers
Many different types of containers
from commercial trays and inserts to yogurt cups are suitable for seed-starting
provided they have drainage holes. Used containers must be sterilized
by rinsing them in a solution of one part chlorine bleach and 10 parts
water.
Soil
Mix
Always start with a sterile germinating mix.
DO NOT use garden soil which harbors disease organisms. Moisten mix
with room temperature water prior to filling containers. Fill containers
and gently tamp soil mix down. As a rule of thumb, plant seeds at a
depth 2-3 times their diameter.
Planting
Very fine seeds such as petunia or begonia should
be sown on the surface. Moisten the surface with a fine mist. Large-seeded
vegetables that resent transplanting, such as cucumber, cantaloupe and
watermelon should be planted directly into peat pots.
Some seeds have specific light or dark
requirements for germination. Sow seeds that require light such as dill,
lettuce and impatiens on top of the soil. Cover seeds of cabbage, cauliflower,
parsley and spinach for germination.
Cover containers with clear plastic bags
and place in a warm location for germination. DON'T place covered containers
in direct sunlight. Check daily for germination.
Special
Techniques
Scarification is nicking or
roughing up a hard seed coat with sandpaper to enable the germination
shoot to emerge. Seeds that benefit include lupine, moonflower and morning
glory.
Stratification mimics the cold/moist
condition of winter. Place seeds between layers of moist soil mix, cover
and refrigerate for several weeks. Purple coneflower, columbine and
violas benefit from this process.
Growing
Seedlings
Light. Seedlings must receive
bright light promptly after germination. Remove cover and place in a
bright south window or under fluorescent lights. Ordinary shop lights
with 40 watt bulbs work great. Place seedlings 2 inches from the tubes
and keep lights on 14 to 16 hours each day.
Temperature.
Most annual plants
and vegetables prefer night temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees.
Cool-season vegetable crops (cabbage, broccoli) and flowers (pansies,
snapdragons) prefer night temperatures no higher than 55 degrees. An
unused bedroom or basement is suitable. Day temperatures may run 10
degrees higher.
Fertilization.
Do not fertilize seedlings until they have developed their first set
of true leaves. Use a soluble house plant fertilizer at 1/4 to 1/2 the
recommended strength.
Thinning
and Transplanting. After seedlings have developed their first set
of true leaves, thin them to one per individual container by cutting
off extras with a scissors. Extra seedlings may also be transplanted
to other containers. Handle them carefully by the seed or cotyledon
leaves, not the delicate stem.
A
few annuals and herbs-allysum, lobelia, chives, dill, and parsley -
don't mind being crowded and may be transplanted into the garden as
a clump.
Moving
Plants Outdoors
Plants
that have been growing indoors can't be planted abruptly into the garden
without danger of injury. They must be "hardened" off prior
to planting outdoors. Start two weeks ahead of desired planting date.
When first put outdoors place plants in the shade, then gradually move
into the sunlight for short periods each day. Do not put tender seedlings
outdoors on windy days or when temperatures are below 45 degrees.
Allisonville Nursery
garden
center, garden gifts, landscaping
11405 Allisonville Road
Fishers, IN 46038
Phone
317.849.4490
Fax 317.849.5948
We are not
a mailorder nursery. Plants and products are
available for pick-up at our Fishers, Indiana location.
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