I have 4 seedlings that were planted on March 9/05. They're 6" tall and in 4" pots. I noticed that Malestrom has seedling that are only 1 1/2 months older and are already going to bloom. I haven't been using the bloom buster fertilizer on these seedling because I thought they were too young. Is that what I should be using or should I use a different kind of fertilizer on them? Should I be fertilizing every 2 weeks like you do with older plants? I read that you quit fertilizing on Oct. 1st. The seedlings are in the solarium for the winter so should I still quit fertizing even though they won't be going dormant?
Also, is a 4" pot too small for seedlings that size? I'm not sure when to put them into bigger pots.
Sandy
More Seedling Questions
I fertilize everytime I water.
I use nitrogen on seedlings to get em going then when they mature a bit, 6 months or so,]
I use bloom booster.
I bring them inside for the winter and keep em going as if it were still spring or early fall.
I never stop feeding as I dont let em go dormant.
Heat and bright light are key. ;)
If they are warm enough that youre not worried about root rot then feedem!! ;)
Thanks for the information Malestrom. The heaters in the solarium are set at 16C (61F). Is that warm enough for them in the winter? The one I grew from a cutting was fine for two winters but this is my first experience with seedlings.
I dont encourage seedlings to slow down.
Theyll probably be fine though.
I like them to keep going all winter long.
So are you saying that a minimum temperature of 61F would slow a plant down?
I keep them no cooler than 75 ;)
Nightowl, I agree with Michael that the warmer you can keep them, the happier they will be.
Michael's seedling that is blooming at an early age is very rare. Usually, seedlings don't bloom until they are 2-3 years old. Also, they say you should give seedlings lots of room by potting up frequently and by never letting them get too rootbound in their containers so that they can grow to their potential. As soon as my baby seedlings get their first set of true leaves, I put them in one-gallon containers. After one year, I potted up all my one-gallon seedlings to five-gallon containers. After one spring and one summer in five-gallon containers, some are ready for ten-gallon containers.
I personally do not fertilize in the winter, but I start first thing in early spring. I have, however, given my seedlings supplements in the wintertime like Superthrive with their water. I have heard that, even in tropical areas where plumerias don't go dormant for the winter, they do appreciate a rest for the winter. I don't know if this is true or not. Even though mine don't go dormant, they do appear to remain at a standstill and do not grow. It does get cool outdoors though in the wintertime. As Michael said, if they are kept warm enough to keep growing, the fertilizer should be fine.
Thanks for all the information....it's very helpful. I won't be able to keep the air temperature at 75F but I could put the seedings on a heat mat for the winter. I will put them into bigger pots. I'll just see how it goes. If they keep growing then I'll give them a bit of fertilizer and if the temperature seems to be keeping them at a standstill I'll just water sparingly.
Sandy
Sounds good, Sandy. You sound like a pro already:-)