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How To
Start Your Plants From Seed
Seed startin' is controversial at
best. Ask 10 different seed starters how to do it 'the right way', and
you'll get 10 different answers. Ask 100, and it would be the same thing.
Therefore, I do not claim to do it 'the right way', and only claim to do
it 'my way'!!! But, to keep the information 'standardized', I'm going to
give general directions from 2 seed starting books, which I highly
recommend for anyone who's interested in starting their own seeds. Seed
starting is an art, as well as a science, which is why I can only give
basic, general instructions. There have been huge tomes written on the
subject, but hopefully these guidelines will get you going. Specific hints
and tips for specific plants will be given at a later date.
In my humble opinion, the very best place to start most seeds, is in a
temperature controlled greenhouse. I had two, awesome greenhouses back in
Texas, but don't have that luxury here in New Mexico........yet!!! So, I
had to figure out a way to start seeds here, and achieve an amount of
success that was satisfactory to me, and the only thing that really
changed was the location of where I started the seeds.
Well, this house happens to have a really large loft, with a massive bank
of tall, south-facing windows!!! I think the original builder meant for
those windows to be sort of a passive solar way to get heat into the loft
during the winter. And, believe me, with the intensity of the New Mexico
sun shining through those windows for the better part of the day, he did
achieve that goal!!! Which, makes it PERFECT for starting seeds!!!
So,
Rule #1!!! You need a GOOD,
actually VERY good light source for seed starting, especially immediately
after germination, unless the seeds you're wanting to germinate require
darkness, after which, they will require good light anyway. There are some
rare exceptions to this, but here, I'm just talking about general veggies,
herbs, flowers, and of course, chiles!!! A south facing, or southeast
facing window is best. A north window won't provide enough bright
sunlight, and a west facing window can fry those little seedlings real
quick.
A good light source can also consist of overhead grow lights, flourescent
lights, and other lighting devices which are available on the internet or
at real-life nurseries, home building supply stores, etc. Using artificial
lighting avoids the need for frequent turning of plants grown on a
windowsill. Generally, the seedlings will need about 10-12 hours of light
per day. If seeds are started in a sunny window, they may have to be moved
back from the window at night in cold climates, and replaced to the window
sill the next morning when the sun warms the area back up.
Rule #2. Now you wanna pick
out your pots, flats, trays, or whatever you can use to start the seeds,
that's suitable for putting the germination mix into, that will let excess
water drain, but keep the mixture moist, and not soggy. Over-watered,
soggy soil, is a sure death sentence for seedlings. Several years ago, I
started using the APS Growing Systems from Gardener's Supply, and haven't
used much of anything else since. They provide a constant supply of water
through wicking material to the bottom of the seed starting cells, and a
nice clear plastic cover for the little seedlings, to maintain humidity.
For the first time, or novice seed starter, I really would recommend using
seed starting units such as these, or others that are available in various
seed catalogs, nurseries, and garden supply stores. They make the process
much easier, and some even come pre-filled with germinating mix. Recycling
containers in and around your house is a good thing, but, sometimes they
require a little 'surgery' to make them suitable, plus, it's not always
easy to control optimal soil moistness and drainage. I seriously recommend
using a unit that has individual cells. If you use a flat without
individual cells, scattering the seeds around, you're going to have to
prick out the seedlings later on, and transplant them into individual
containers anyway. A flat can be used to hold planting containers, peat
pots, etc., though.
Rule #3. Good seed starting
soil is a must!!! You can't just go out and buy a big bag of regular
potting soil and expect good results. The particles are too big, and most
seeds will just fall down into the nether regions of the soil, never to be
seen again!!! I've used a product called coir the past couple of years and
have gotten awesome germination. It's the short fibers from the coconut
shell, and can be found at Garden's Alive, on the internet. This isn't to
say other seed starting mix isn't at least satisfactory, but, I really
like coir!!! I have several recipes for mixing your own seed starting, and
potting soil mixes, but will save those for later. Use a very finely
milled mix specifically meant for germinating seeds. Some brands include
Jiffy Seed Starting Mix, and the seed starting mix from Gardener's Supply,
or, any other brand that states it's used specifically for starting seeds.
Germinating mixes can be found at nurseries, and department stores that
have nursery and garden related sections, such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot,
Lowe's, etc. A good germinating mix will generally consist of some, or all
of the following components: spaghnum moss, peat moss, vermiculite,
perlite, and or, other types of medium. Sometimes when you buy your
germinating mix, it will already be sorta moist. But most likely, you'll
have to make it more moist. Usually there's directions on the back of the
bag as to how to moisten the mix, but, really, just pour a couple cups of
warm water into it and fluff it around for a minute or two, and either add
more water if it's not moist enough, or leave it be!!! You want moistness,
NOT a wet, soggy mess. When it 'feels' right, (akin to a wrung out sponge)
ladle it into your seed starting containers, then kind of bang the
containers on the table to settle the mix. You may have to add a little
more dirt. Once the soil is all nicely settled and lightly packed, but not
crammed, into the containers, smooth off the top with whatever implement
is laying around, like, well, just anything with a flat edge. A ruler
works well. You want a smooth surface to put the seeds into.
Rule #4!!! Now it's time to
plant them thar seeds!!! Kewl!!! First of all, check the back of your seed
packet to find the right time to start seeds in your zone.
Again, take whatever 'tool' that's laying around, such as a pencil, a
toothpick, or anything that will make a small hole. The size of the hole
will depend on the size of the seed. The general rule of thumb is to plant
the seed about a quarter of an inch deep. Well, I reckon that's probably a
good rule, but, I just make a little depression in the surface of the soil
and cover the seed up using dirt I scrape from the sides or corners of the
container, or cell, I just placed the seed in. Some seeds require light
for germination, and will say so on the seed packet, and those you just
wanna scatter around on the surface of the soil and lightly press them
into it, but you don't want them to be big time submerged. With big seeds,
say like, moonflowers, I just take my index finger and push that big boy
down into the soil, and cover it up. Most seed packets will tell you how
long the seeds take to germinate, whether they need light or darkness, and
how long from germination to the time you can transplant them. I know from
experience, these are probably the outside parameters, because a lot will
depend on the care of your plants, what you use to fertilize them with,
the germination soil, the age of the seeds, and other factors. I've grown
plants that were well ready to transplant before the time the seed packet
suggested.
You may have to mist the daylights out of the top of the soil to get it
nice and moist. If you're using growing units that come with a plastic
cover, cover 'em up!!! If not, you can use saran wrap. The germination mix
must be kept moist throughout the germination process, but again, not wet
and soggy. Watering from the bottom is way far the best way to go, but if
for some reason, that's not feasible, misting is an option. What you don't
want to do, is pour a steady, or heavy stream of water into the surface of
the mixture.
Most seeds germinate well at a temp anywhere between 65 to 80 or so
degrees. That's a very broad statement. Most seeds have an optimum temp
for germination, but, it will generally fall between those temperatures. I
go by 'room feel'. If it's comfortable to me, I figure the seeds can
handle it!!! I do set some of the seeds on a heat mat for quicker
germination, or for seeds that REALLY like warm germination temperatures.
Most often, this is optional, and a heating pad works almost as well if
you don't want to invest in a seedling heat mat. Bottom heat is a good
thing, but not necessary in most cases, if the ambient room temperature is
warm enough.
In my south facing windows, I actually have to crack them open a little
even in the winter cause it gets so hot up there. Generally, try to
maintain a temp of 70+ during the day, and 65+ at night.
Rule #5. So, now you want
to put your seeds in some light. Actually, most seeds will germinate in
the dark, even if they don't specifically require it, BUT, the very second
they germinate, they NEED a strong light source. Say you put your seeds on
a nice, warm, hot water heater. Nice place to germinate seeds actually.
You forget about 'em for even one day, and that's the day most of 'em
decided to pop up!!! The next day, when you remember to check on 'em, they
will be all spindly, weak, and lank looking. Not a pretty sight. And
sometimes, they don't recover well. So, I like to just put the seed trays
in the light to begin with, and not have to worry that I might forget to
check on them in a dark place, which I probably would!!! Once they
germinate, they will need to be turned frequently to keep them growing
straight, especially when they're young. They will grow towards the light,
and when young, can become really 'leggy', (spindly looking) really quick
if not turned regularly. I turn my seedlings at least once, if not twice a
day.
Rule #6. Sometimes, using a
cover over the seeds, either before they've come up, and, or afterwards, a
lot of moisture will collect. I've found that it's good to take the cover
off, and get rid of the excessive accumulated moisture. When using rigid
plastic covers, I just take them off, and shake the water out. Or, you can
prop the cover up a little which helps to avoid a big moisture build-up.
I've noticed that keeping things moist, but not wet, helps avoid a problem
with seedlings, called damping off. Another subject for another time!!! If
you used new germination mix, and clean, clean, clean containers, you
probably won't have a problem with it. I keep the rigid plastic covers in
place until the seedlings become too tall for it. If you've used saran
wrap, it will have to be removed right after germination. This usually
isn't a problem, but, you may want to mist the babies a few times a day
until they get a few inches tall.
I use a very dilute fish emulsion/seaweed solution to water them with a
week or so after they've come up, and keep them moist, but not what???
LOL!!! Soggy, of course!!! You can keep seedlings from growing too fast by
only using the fish/seaweed emulsion for every other watering. Also, if
you've had to provide supplemental heat for the germination process, the
plants can now grow and be okay at a lower temperature. For warm season
plants, I wouldn't let the temp go below 65, either day or night, but some
folks say it can go as low as 60.
In 4-8 weeks, maybe longer depending on the plant, you'll have some
gorgeous transplants all big, strong, and healthy, and ready to
transplant into the garden, after hardening them off for a week or so.
It's just soooooo much fun!!! You'll absolutely love growin' your own
transplants!!! And the varieties you'll have to choose from are HUGE, as
compared to the limited varieties offered at local garden centers. I've
enjoyed doing this for years now, and I still get just as big of a kick
out of it, as when my first 'homegrown' seedling came up!!!
Give me a holler if you have any questions or comments!!!
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