Lilies: How I grow seedlings, 1 by declfi

declfi wrote:
My way is not necessarily the right way. Like they say there more ways than one to skin a cat (or something like that :-).

1) I soak my seeds for 24 to 48 hours and changing the water at least 4 or 5 times. This takes a week or two off the germination and I believe a better germination rate.

2) I use a soil less mix.

2 parts miracle grow potting soil
1 part vermiculite
1 part perilite
1-part pine bark fines
1 tablespoon of 17-17-17 /6-month slow release fertilizer (per container)
This has worked the best for me holds moisture but aerates and drains well.

3) I use 14 inches long X 8 inches wide X 5 inch deep plastic shoeboxes. You can buy them at Lowes for about $1.28. They come with lids. After they seed germinate I use the lids as saucers. I use a packing slip sleeve and an aluminum label for each container that will follow them to the garden.

4) I use a natural fungicide Called Root shield and a product called Mighty Myco a mycorrhizal product. I have had no Damping off and better root systems.


5) I place the soil mix that I mix in a 10 gallon plastic bucket in the shoebox with the fertilizer. About a ½ inch from the top. I sprinkle a tablespoon of Mighty Myco then
I the place the seeds using an eyebrow tweezers about ½ inch apart. I cover this with ¼ to ½ inch of pine bark fines. I water in with the root shield fungicide.

6) When the seeds start germinating I place under 2- 1000-watt Hi intensity lights that I run from about 6:00 pm till 6:00 am. Cost about $20 to $30 a month. I fertilize with ¼ strength miracle grow.

The picture below was taken today. The seeds were planted October 6th a little over 7 weeks ago.