Return to the Cornucopia Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Starting seedlings
| | |
Posted by bikingchris DulwichHill NSW (My Page) on Fri, Jan 20, 06 at 5:37
I've had recent trouble growing some things from seeds. I think it's because I sit the little containers with the seed on a deck that's too hot. The seeds germinate, but don't seem to do a whole lot more. Even on cooler days, the strong sun on the deck seems to heat the little black pots up too much.
Where do people raise their seedlings? I am considering making a little shelter with shadecloth to sit the seedlings under. Would this be worthwhile? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Starting seedlings
| | |
| In warmer weather I generally start them under 30% shadecloth and after germination, lift the shadecloth off in the mornings and late afternoon, for longer periods until they can handle full sun. |
RE: Starting seedlings
| | |
| The little black pots heat up too much in direct sun, even a mild one. I raise seedlings in semi-shade then harden them off before planting out. Actually, I don't do too much of that as I prefer to sow seeds where they're going to grow. |
RE: Starting seedlings
| | |
- Posted by mabb Melbourne, Aust (My Page) on
Fri, Jan 20, 06 at 17:23
| We start our seedlings in peat pellets, inside. We have a tray with a plastic cover - a mini greenhouse - and we place that in a north-facing window. They stay inside until they're ready to transplant into a small pot. Even after they're in the little pots, if the nights are cold, we bring them inside until they're almost ready to plant out. I think even if we were starting something off from seed now, I wouldn't have them outside for too long - too hot and windy. We have a neat little sprinkler head for a small water bottle that is just right for watering the peat pellets gently. Very easy to keep them moist. I highly recommend the peat pellets. They're cheap and we've had a lot of luck raising babies this way. |
RE: Starting seedlings
| | |
| The Coir seed raising mixture I discussed on another threat has proven to be fantastic - it keeps the seedlings roots cool and that is important as they need a good root system to thrive before the tops grow. I also give them a twice a weekly feed of Seaweed solution or Worm solution or Thrive in desperation. It's important to keep them damp not wet, shaded not dark, with light not sun. Cheers
Linda |
RE: Starting seedlings
| | |
| Excellant- thanks for all that help! |
|
|
|
|
