Look at this, I peeled the seeds and they have been soaking 2 days in plain water (ok, I forgot them) and they're putting out a tap root.
Have Arborea seeds
I have never pealed any seeds before and this might sound stupid but how do you know how much to peal off, I did pick at one and took off the outer shell but there didn't seem to be a lot left and wondered how big of a seed are they suppose to be.
thanks you all
vswilliams,
If you wish to peel your seeds , soak them for a day 'first' ....... ' Then' peel the corky outer layer off.
Soaking softens the cork so it is easier to remove.
Different seeds have different sized beans inside. Some are very small and difficult to peel without harming them.
I don't bother peeling them anymore , I find soaking helps them germinate well enough.
Oh , a 10 minute bath in a 10 to 1 Clorox solution just before planting kills mold spores .
Remember 'clean hands ,utensils , containers and new potting mix ' helps keep the contamination level down and your success rate up.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it ........ lol
Shirley
This message was edited Nov 28, 2004 5:26 PM
WOWZERS, Linda!!! I'm going to 'forget' mine too, LOL!!!
Thanks Shirley I understood that, I do soak and have used the clorox method ..My problem is when they do come up they seem to be so leggy and die..A few I had up to several sets of leaves about 4 in tall and then they died, so I don't know exactly what I am doing wrong..
I am trying all the methods I am learning here, I have been misting the ones I have started under lights with the peroxide/water so I am hoping I can save them, but they are looking sad...
Thanks you all
Leggy seedlings could be caused by improper light values , or it can be nutritional.
*By nature , our first response when we see a plant in stress is to water it , which is not always what the plant needs.*
Keeling over sounds like damping off. Your seedlings need to be warm and the soil tops should be dry.
Some swear watering with weak chamomile tea protects them.
Keeping the top of the soil dry by a layer of sand covering the soil, and bottom watering only when they need it.
Fungus gnats will not enter the dry sand to lay eggs. They like a damp organic soil to feed the larvae.
You can see the adult gnats when you disturb a plant , they look like tiny black fruit flies. The same way you look for white flys.
This message was edited Nov 29, 2004 9:10 PM
I have been misting often since the dirt seems dry but I think maybe I have been over doing..Also what wattage grow light are best..I only have one 20 watt florescent grow light I found at walmart, but now thinking maybe that isn't bright enough and how close to the light do you place them..
Lights should be 1 to 3 " from the plant .
IMHO , the grow lights sold to the layperson are a waste of money.
Get a cheap shop light and put one cool and one warm light tube in each one.
2 shop lights per shelf can effectivly light 4 seed flats, lined up side by side, per shelf.
or one shop light for 2 seed flats place end to end.
Use the hanging chains and 'S' hooks that come with the shop lights to raise or lower the lights as needed.
Plants need 14 hours per day of light. You can use a timer to just add 4+ hours at dusk which is much more economical.
Some top European hybridizers I know use the 4 + light hours system.
* I would suggest you not mist them until they are well on their way with at least a couple sets of leaves.*
thanks i was afraid of that my son told be the same thing but I really didn't think he knew what he was talking about.. he will be pleased and can say I told you so...I had read someplace that misting them with peroxide and water would help with damping off but I guess it did not for me..I will try your method.
thanks so much for the help..
Scoot, are 'we' not growing seeds in our GH because it's too 'slow', in favor of under lights??? I'm going to try growing them (seeds) all kinds of ways, and this time, this project, I'm going to 'just do it' rather than driving myself, and all of you nutz with my whacko crazy question and answer sessions, whew!! If I miss some, so what??!! At least I will learn something,I hope...
Whatever works for you is the best way to do it. I am one of those people who bought the gro lights from the discount store. They work fine for me. I also have 4 ft. shop lights with sun bulbs in them and I can honestly say that I can see no difference. I believe the main thing is to keep the bulbs close to the seedlings. This is just what I use and it works for me.
Poppysue...thank-you! My seeds arrived in the mail yesterday. I peeled them and put them in water . I usually do not peel my seeds, although my germination rate is not great. I will see if this is better with peeling. I am always afraid that I am damaging the seed when I peel. Hopefully not!
If you have some things that are too tall to get the lights down to your seedlings you might try giving the seedlings a boost with soup cans or something under them to get them under the lights close like Scooterbug said. Jeanette