Seed Starting
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Seed Starting
- From: l*@teamzeon.com
- Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 09:12:55 -0500
Valerie Lowery@ZEON
12/29/98 09:12 AM
Lorraine:
If anything, the one thing you can do to get great seedlings is to keep
that light on! I keep my shop lights right above the seedlings for 10 - 12
hours a day. They not only benefit from the intense light, but the lights
also give off a little heat. Since they are adjustable, I move them up as
my plants grow. As a result, I get stocky, deep green little plants. I
plant in peat pots (those little things that you planted marigold seeds in
when you were in kindergarden for Mother's Day) because I'm a little lazy
about watering. These keep moist longer than regular potting soil. After
my seedlings have at least four true leaves, I start to water with a very
diluted water-soluable fertilizer.
Don't give up on trying to grow things from seed. It is one of the most
satisfying ways of getting new plants (I think getting free stuff from
friends is THE best!! Just reciprocate when you do...). Start with some
easy stuff; annuals like zinnias, sunflowers, marigolds, salvia, etc. work
very easily for me. Get a mental lift from these and you'll be able to
tackle the tricky stuff in no time.
Val in KY
zone 6a (who doesn't own a greenhouse, but turns her basement into a
nursery come February)
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