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DaleP6 Sarasota, FL(Zone 9b) Jan 19, 2003

OK..thanks for all the good advice! Now if I get to this point what? If I wait until the morning glories have 6 true leaves won't they need support by then? So far so good. When does damping off usually happen?

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lupinelover Grove City, OH(Zone 6a) Jan 19, 2003

Damping off usually happens right before or after the first true leaves come out. That is why it is so heart-breaking!

Yes, the MGs will definitely need support by the time they have 6 leaves. It seems to be best to put in stakes when they are transplanted, either into a bigger container or into the ground. It helps prevent disturbing the roots to do it immediately, rather than waiting until the plant is "big enough". Also it is easier to train to support as it grows.

Keep the air circulating around the plants! Run a fan in the room day and night. Besides helping to prevent damping off, slight air movement makes the seedlings much sturdier, less likely to break off when they are transplanted.

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DaleP6 Sarasota, FL(Zone 9b) Jan 21, 2003

Someone said to transplant them only when they had 6 new real leaves...so should I try to give them some sort of small support when they are still in their little seedling trays??

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lupinelover Grove City, OH(Zone 6a) Jan 21, 2003

Are the seedling trays big enough to support a stake? That would be my best answer. I usually start MGs in peat pots that have the stake inserted immediately after germination (that way I don't spear the seed). Or else I start some directly sown outside a little later in the season to take over when the early ones tire out.

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DaleP6 Sarasota, FL(Zone 9b) Jan 23, 2003

They are just your basic black plastic 2" squares but I could use small dowels. But then I guess that would create another problem when I go to transplant them. I know I could sow these directly into the ground but there is just something about starting seeds in flats! Makes me remember my years up North...and tonight it will be like up North...it is supposed to get down to 27 in Sarasota inland and 35 out here on the barrier island I live on. This is going to be a horrible freeze. We haven't had one for about 10 years. Things always look so pitiful afterwards. Most come back but alot is killed.

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farmgirl21 Hempstead, TX(Zone 8b) Jan 23, 2003

wooden shish k bob dohickies work great for temp stakes i buy a bag from walmart for under a buck and have no problems at transplanting time.
sorry about the freeze i am not looking forward to tonights deep freeze here either.

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