Post date: Mar 18, 2020 10:20:47 AM
By Uma Shashikant
Seed starting. Videos 1/n. I will take you through the process over the next 6 weeks until these go into the ground. Will highlight common errors as I have noticed.
Lesson 1: Seedling tray.
You can start your seeds in any container that holds medium. Medium means a mix of compost and peat, typically used to start seeds.
If you use a tiny celled tray you can start many seeds easily. But you have to be sure to remember spraying water as they can dry easily.
Larger celled trays and pots are usually a waste of medium. They need too much medium to fill them up. However they won’t dry too easily.
Video below 👇
Lesson 2: Medium
Your seed starting mix must be light, fluffy, and able to hold moisture. Container mix or garden soil won’t cut it. Buy a seed starting mix or make your own with compost and leaf mulch.
The medium should hold water but if it is too fluffy and moist, it can lead to fungal infections of seed and roots and seedling failure.
Add a handful of sand if you wish. That also helps weighing the medium down while promoting root growth.
Video 2 showing these points 👇
Seed Starting 3 of N: filling up the medium.
Do not push or press down. Gently does it. Learn the poking trick. 👇
Seed starting 4/n: Sowing
Sow about 3-4 seeds per cell. Some many not germinate. Some may be weak. You want the best ones by the time you transplant.
Seed depth is approx three times the seed size. Max width. Poke a hole, place the seed and cover.
Seed starting 5 of N : watering
Ensure seeds are completely moist. Water gently. Place indoors for even temp.
That is Part 1. Trays, medium, filling, sowing and watering.
Common errors:
Using a heavy medium. Or too light and fluffy medium. Seedlings fall off.
Pressing the medium down. No germination.
Not covering the seeds well. Sowing too deep or too shallow.
Allowing seeds to dry off. Have to be moist until they germinate. Will fail if they dry out.
Too much water. Seeds rot. Moist not wet is the rule.
Keeping seeds outdoors. They need even temp all day to germinate. And remain warm. Outdoors means cold night.
Keeping seed tray in the light. Most seeds (except lettuce, carrot, coriander) need the dark to germinate.
End of part 1. Pls ask qs. And others in the group with experience pls add your comments and additional points.
Pls refer to a video on moistening peat moss and very dry medium.