This is probably a really dumb question, but until now I have never tried sprouting seeds. At the fall RU Sheila_FW gave me some small white bowls that have a perforated tray in them. With these and a couple of paper towels, I have successfully sprouted some cherry tomato seeds and some milkweed seeds. Here is the question. How long should I wait to put the sprouts in little pots and is the sprout a root or a plant, therefore, does it go up or down? At this point they look very fragile.
And by the way, thank you for these Sheila. Truthfully, I didn't know if I would ever use them, but decided it might be fun to try sprouting. It's always fun when something is successful.
Seed starting question
You need to go find Gymgirl- she has the sprouting down to a fine art!
Thanks Kittriana. If she doesn't see this and respond I will dmail her.
Can you show us a picture of the sprouts?
Sorry, Frostweed I can't take a picture because Mother Nature answered my question this morning (I think). I decided that I would go ahead and stick them in small pots of soil and when I picked them up, roots had grown through the paper towel down into the water reservoir. So, I took a shot and planted the root down and the sprout up and put them in the greenhouse. This sprouting is an experiment for me, so we will see if I guessed right. Will keep you posted.
Love your fall color. We don't have much. I am looking at that smooth sumac, but my yard is so small that I haven't figured out where to "shoehorn" it in. You and others have opened my eyes to growing natives. I tried to bring some of my Missouri flowers down here and they didn't survive the first summer.
Well then I guess you planted them the right way, I hope they go well for you, especially the milkweed.
They are pretty tough, shouldnt hurt them a bit- chuckl. I direct sow since my time is spent in so many other places. This is Bridgeton, NJ - The Garden State- with and without my windshield. Am soon to be heading west toward Wisconsin and really wish Pennsylvania didnt happen to be so cold...
What you did is exactly what I do....I usually start seeds in a growing medium but when I sprout them the way you indicated I stick them in soil, and I usually wait a little too long..just like you did. Lol Please let us know how they do.
Once they get their first set of real leaves, you can transplant them. Then, you want to watch them and don't let them get leggy. Keep the light source close to the leaves. You'll need to continue to transplant up into bigger cups/containers before it's time to transplant.