Re: which do you think will work better ??
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: which do you think will work better ??
- From: B* R*
- Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2001 11:00:17 -0000
- List-Archive: <http://www.mallorn.com/lists/pumpkins/> (Web Archive)
>... The idea of starting indoors has many drawbacks LEGGY, CROWDED >ROOTS
>etc. On the other hand starting outdoors of course has its >problems too.
Kevin, you won't have leggy seedlings if you keep them just an inch or two
from a good light. Legginess comes from them reaching for stronger light.
When they are close to the light, you need to check them frequently so they
don't come in contact with the light as they grow. I put a stack of thin
books or my son's wooden blocks under each pot, then remove one at a time as
the seedling grows. I have always have wonderful sturdy seedlings.
And crowded roots won't happen if you don't let it get potbound. That means
keep it inside no more than a week to ten days. I usually plant outside
when the first true leaf is just getting started. The first true leaf is
the third leaf you see - the first two are 'seed leaves' or cotyledons.
Germination happens ideally at 85 degrees F. There are lots of good ways to
achieve this - fridges, gas ovens are great as Barb and John mentioned. I
usually use a cooler with a heating pad set on low in the bottom, the lid
cracked slightly open, and the seeds raised up on (again!) wooden blocks or
something. Some folks use a cooler with a small lightbulb inside. It IS a
good idea to monitor the temperature. 85 is perfect, but much over 90 could
be too hot. I always start finetuning the *incubator* a few days before the
seeds will go in, and monitor the temps so I've got the distance up from the
heating pad and the lid crack just right.
The problem with starting outdoors is your germination rate will not be
as good, and the seeds that do germinate will take longer. For most us,
when we have worked hard to acquire prized seeds, we don't want to sacrifice
even one to less than ideal germination conditions. I have exactly ONE
Holland 903. You think I'm gonna put that baby outdoors and take my
chances?? Not on your life!
Beth
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