I tryed to post before but it would not go thru. I have several seeds that have sprouted but it looks like a white organism on the roots into the pellets. I am so new at this that I need all the help I can muster. Thanks John
seedlings
I bet they are just tiny feeder roots, John. They can look really weird, like mold. Can you take a closer pic of them?
BTW, your set up looks just great.
Here is close up of mine. Does this look similar? The first time I saw these, I did a double take myself. I thought mold.
Kell that is for sure what it looks like. Thank you, Thank you . John
Oh great. I know how hard it can be when you think something maybe wrong.
Do you have a dome to put over that to keep it moist in there? Those roots dry out real fast.
Yes , Kell I have a dome, I was just following the instructions that came with the pellet kit. It said upon first seedling to remove dome. I dont know what I am doing!!!!!! John
I do have a dome should I put it back on ? John
Yes. I do not use those pellets you have there so maybe someone who does will come along with different advice. But I leave mine enclosed till they are about 4 inches. I want them to get a good start and have good roots so they are not so fragile and have a better chance to make it.
The germinated ones would probably live fine, but they would need to be closely monitored. What is so great about keeping them enclosed is you do not have to water them much if at all (my method I do not have to water for weeks) and so the chances of killing them by mistake are low.
I am a lazy gardener, no muss no fuss. I bag mine and then ignore them!! I try never to open the bag for then you introduce germs, maybe fungus. So the less you mess with them the better.
You are doing just great, John. These are not as hard as we all may make it seem. These are pretty sturdy plants with a great will to live. They take a lot of abuse.
By next year, you too will be a so called expert!
Here are some I have now. They need to be moved into dirt but I have been dragging lately. See how tall they are? See how wet. In fact the earlier pic I showed of the close up of the roots, is of this pot a couple of weeks ago. They have grown!!
OK you have sold me on the dome. It now in place. these are some seedlings from karokie I think they are ok John
John, I see you are using Kells famous red plastic cups...lol...and your seedlings look great..the pellets you are using dry up very fast so I would leave the dome on and if it gets way too wet I would tip it up abit to get rid of some of the moisture...I have had rot from not lifting it before...good luck and hope to see some nice blooming brugs this summer...Judy
I thought the cups were called Kells Kups.... John
I use rockwool and never have had a seedling rot in it but Judy knows the medium you are using better so watch them and do what she says.
I think I also do not get rot because I never open my bag and always use clean/new things. And I always wash my hands very well before I start. I am a nurse so it come naturally to me.
Those seedlings from seeds from Doris look great. She was new too just a short while ago, John and now she knows more than I do. She even got into the newspaper, she grows her brugs so well!
You guys, LOL!! Kell's cheap Kups. I use them because I am cheap and lazy. Not really great traits to be known for. LOL
Excellent pics. Shows exactly how they should look. I never have too dry of conditions, always too wet and they mold/rot. I watch for this couple days after planting seeds, have to lift the lid, until they start to get dryer.
Kell, do you have a post about your bag method? I've read so much my head is spinning and some nice sole is sending me seed and I don't know what to do with them. I want to have success and I don't have rooting pots, or a heating mat. What all do I need, just the basics, to get started?
Kell, do you have a post of your method? I am lazy too! I am new, new, new and some kind sole in the brug forum is sending me seed and I want to try and have some success with them. I have no IDEA what I am doing. I really want to try an easy method because I don't want to have to go out and buy a lot of stuff I have to order and wait for it to come - plus I really can't afford some of the methods some folks use. I need any advice you can give me !!!!
Gloria, what medium do you use for your seeds? Those peat pellets, too? As you can see by the pic of my bag, mine are soaking wet 24/7 and they just do not rot. I have no clue why. Yet give me a glass of water and a cutting and mush!!
Hi Libby! You do not have to buy anything special at all. I am always trying new things because I am old and have been gardening for so long, I need a cheap thrill once in awhile. And that is the truth!!
The first year I germinated seeds, we all had no clue what we were doing. Susie was out leader or at least mine and she led the way. I would take peeled seed and soak in 10% bleach for 1 minute, then put them in a damp paper towel, in a plastic bag then tape it to the side of my computer for warmth. I got maybe 30 to 50 % germination and that was plenty!! Now I try for 100% just for some excitement. Yes, my life is that boring.
Once germinated I would put in a plastic McDonalds Salad cup. Do you remember those salad they had in the tall cups? They had clear caps, then I put them on a sunny though not hot, windowsill. And I got brugs!!!
Everyone here that has been around the block twice, has their own way to start seeds. The main points for better than average germination I THINK is to use very clean things. Peel your seed esp if older. I never soak them but you can if you want in 10% bleach for 1 minute at most.
Take fast draining soil and some how (can use that cheesecloth) pour boiling water thru it to sterilize it. I would use the clear plastic cups you can buy at your dollar store. A friend of mine, takes one (I think 8 oz) , fills with dirt, presses seed (1 or 2 per cup) in it, then take another cup and inverts it on top to enclose the seed. It works great. then when the seed germinates, you can take the top off and let it grow in the cup as is. Very easy!
Or you can take a clean tupperware like container and put in the sterilized dirt. Press your seed on top (put seed about 1 inch a part) so they are still showing. You can put them in a clean bag you took from the veggie department of your grocery store. You can use a twist tie to securely shut the bag. Then place them in a sunny window, but not a hot one that may steam cook them.
The bag or the inverted clear cup makes a mini greenhouse which supplies humidity and keeps germs out.
Maybe someone else has some good suggestions too. I guarantee if you put 10 of us in a room, you will get 10 different but great techniques!
Good luck Libby! And please keep us all informed with how it is working.
This message was edited Feb 22, 2006 9:38 PM
Kell, can you give more info on the rockwool?..I was doing a search online and it seems to be a nice thing to use but a health hazard if you dont use a mask when handling this product...what are the benefits and are you using the loose stuff compared to the cubes or slabs?...more info please...Judy
I love rockwool, Judy. I use the small blocks. Grodan Multiblocks 1.4x1.4x1.5 Sheet of 98. It usually is under $10.00. I put maybe 3 seeds per little square.
Let me first say, I do no care what anyone uses. I hate to do a hard sell on this. I know others have great luck using soil or perlite or what ever. This just happens to work best for me, I really like it. I have read where others hate it. I think people should experiment till they find what works best for them.
I do not believe it is a health risk at all. But if you are more comfortable using a mask or not using rockwool, that is your decision!
I have read lots and lots about it. There are a few websites that say you need to wear a mask but if you research it, that is not true. Even people who work with it 8 hours a day does not have to wear masks unless it is flying all over. It is classified as an irritant not a carcinogen. Even if you breath it in, your body will get rid of it. I read that some people are allergic to it and will rash. Others itch from it. I have never had a problem but I only have it in my hands for about 10 seconds.
It has been used extensively as a thermal & building insulation material for many years. In 1969 Grodan, http://www.grodan.com/sw55201.asp
the best known manufacturer started making it as a substrate for plants. It is made from spun volcanic rock. It is ideal for it holds so much water yet still is full of air so it is ideal for growing roots. Also it is disease free!!
Here is the Material Safety Data Sheet on rockwool:
http://www.rockwool.co.uk/graphics/RW-GB-implementation/datasheets/MSDS-RW-GB-aug04.pdf
With that being said, I am also very careful with it. I am not into tempting fate. But it is not a crumbly material. It is a tightly spun together. I do not see a lot of stray fibers with it. It isn't dusty like perlite is.
I wet it down immediately which keep the fibers from getting airborne if there are any that want to. I also would not hold it over my face when I break it apart. But it has been used for many years now in building and no one is dying or even ill from it. It is used all over the world.
Europe produces over 50% of all their greenhouse grown vegetables using it.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ozone/conference/lisboa/tomato/10.pdf
I love it because it is so fast, so easy, so clean, and the seeds need little follow up. And most of all because I get great germination.
My procedure is so fast and easy!
I only use clean or new things. I wash my hands well. I break off a piece of the rockwool cubes depending on the number of seeds I have to plant. I place the rockwool into a Tupperware type container. I take to the sink and run warm water over it for about 10 seconds, I turn it over and drain it out. This all takes about 10 seconds. I place on counter, and usually make more holes with a pencil so I can add more seeds.
I place seeds in holes and just gently press them so still on top. I take clear plastic bag, wet the inside, shake it out and place the Tupperware like container in it. I then close it with a Velcro tie and place it under my lights. This entire process might take 1 minute.
I do NOT open the bag again till the seedlings are about 4 inches high. There is no need to water them again. NO FUSSING over them!!
When big enough, I gently separate them. I also tear off any excess rockwool. I then plant them their own pot with soil. I bury the rockwool under the dirt.
I know all the sites say you must use a conditioner to adjust the PH of the rockwool before use. I have NEVER used a conditioner and my plant growth is just great. I use plain water.
And here is the bottom of those seedlings.
how do untangle them? That is more roots than I would even dream of. John
Kell I have one seedling that is bumping its head against the dome what do I do? John
Good morning, John! They pull a part so easily, John. I just gently tug. Now I plant even more seeds per cube, so I try to separate them a bit earlier.
Just take that plug out and pot it up in a 16 oz cup or 4 inch pot. Do not over water it though till it gets its roots going in the new pot. If you have a problem with rot, use a 2 in pot. I have read where others take off that stuff on the outside of the plug before potting it up.
I sometimes gently spray the foliage to add humidity once they leave their humid bag or dome.
Thank you Kell, I will pot the tall one up and see what happens. John
Kell, I have used rockwool, seedstarting mix, vermiculite, plain soil/perlite(scald soil first). I have about 25% germination. Have in plastic box/lid. Under florescent lights, close as possible for heat. I have used a heating mat, they were white goo!
I am now trying Coir, which has nurients in, loose and not supposed to stay too wet. Out of 43 seeds, I have 5. The rest molded. Think I need to start in summer or when it is warmer someplace. I may move to California, or Hawaii!
I have tried to edit my above post. No luck.
I have approx. 50% germination. Have more of those 43 seeds still coming up!
I wonder if your seeds are old? I can't remember which I sent to you but the dates should have been on the packs. A friend just got some of my seeds and she is using a heating mat for the first time and they came up in 3 days. Of course they happened to be so fresh!!
Do you think it is the water??
Come on out, Gloria. Today the birds were singing so loud, it was so clear and crisp. A perfect day!
Possibly the well water. Will keep working on growing them little "devils". I know I can do it. Have two of yours up Kell.
We still have cold weather here, very little sunshine.
Good luck Gloria!!
Talking about safety, I just came across this about vermiculite. I had hear this before about always wearing a mask i fyo handle it but I ddin't realize it had asbestos naturally in it.
Vermiculite and Asbestos
During the summer of 2000, reports began to surface warning of asbestos contamination in vermiculite. Most of the nation's vermiculite originates from a mine near Libby, Montana, where the ore naturally contains about 2 to 3% asbestos fibers. Apparently, all sources of natural vermiculite contain some level of asbestos.(24) The principal danger comes from inhaling the asbestos fibers, which are known carcinogens.
As of July 2001, there has been no action by the federal government to recall, regulate, or enforce safety labeling on vermiculite products. The Environmental Protection Agency, however, has advised commercial growers to find substitutes for vermiculite in potting media.(25)
If vermiculite must be used, work with it only in well-ventilated areas, wet the material as soon as possible, and blend it with materials that help reduce dust levels. Wear a dust mask and gloves as added protection.
Asbestos contamination has not yet made vermiculite a prohibited substance in organic production, but that is a possibility in the future. Until that time, each producer should weigh the risks before using this material.
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/potmix.html
Which just goes to show the producers are allowed to get away with anything if the public doesn't know about it! Big business and governments go hand in hand.
kell I have never used vermiculite, my organic mix of leafy compost and gritty river soil with Moss peat does all the jobs of holding moisture, free draining, and proving good nutrients.
Sounds like you have a great soil mix, Janet. I have been trying to buy leaf mold myself to add especially to my lapageria. I guess I should go on a search exhibiton in people's yards because it is no longer offered anywhere around here.