under the lights

To get an early jump on spring, some of us need to get those little babies growing in the house. I have lights in two of my bedrooms. Think I may have to get these pansies out first chance.

Show us what you have growing under your lights.

Started these in January. Only feed them Schultz 10-15-10. The first ones to bloom are Endless Love.

Some more of the lights

your pansy's are lovely

echoes & here I was so sure you'd grown them outside under the blinding prairie sun!!?!!

One of my fav colours BTW.....I'll have to keep an eye open for Endless Love. So far I've only seen the mixed antique ? pansies.

Can we see a picture when it's fully open, please please?

Thanks Linda

Cheryl, of course you'll see a picture when it opens all the way. I just couldn't wait to show it. But I'm starting to feel like I'm hogging the forum.

Sure Pam, there they were, just tucked under the snow. Endless Love is a freebie from Plants of Distinction last year. It is a mix of soft colours. I started some Snow pansies with them, Red Shades, white and blue.

This message was edited Mar 14, 2006 11:20 PM

Nice echoes. Pansies are hard to grow. Well, maybe not for you. :)

I tried to grow them this year and even though I did get about 10 of them to grow out of the entire package, it was a challenge.

Did you put yours in a dark container untill they started growing? The directions I had told me to do that. So, I put them in the tray, misted them, and then put them in a black garbage bag for a couple weeks. I was surprised they grew, to be honest.

They're only now getting their first true leaves.

Darrell

Geez I'm way behind, I haven't started any seeds yet. Echoes your room lights makes me want one of my own! I've really got to get off my butt and do some work. BTW, glad you are starting threads, it's good to see lots of activity here.

Linda, I am way behind on everything this year, and I didn't go away on a trip. I look at all the packets of seeds sitting there and a definite feeling of panic sets in. Then I try and remember this is for fun.

Darrell, yes the pansies were covered with black plastic till they started to germinate ( a few days, not weeks). Did great on the germination and transplanted them to cell packs when they were well on their way. Seeds had been stored in the fridge.

Here's a couple of pics of the first two blossoms, not great, because I couldn't get a close up for some reason (due to malfunction of mental facilities) so waited for DH to take them. The first one was already fading. They aren't very big.

The second one.

Love those colours!

Here are some Hibiscus shortly after they had sprouted. They are coming along great.

Started some Red Cardinal seeds the other day and they have sprouted - still getting bottom heat but will be weaned off that shortly.

Potted up some Caladiums today - Fancy Leaf Kathleen - pink with green edges. Almost did some Dahlias but think I will wait till we're into April. I'm running out of space. LOL

Joan

I have some Yellow Hibiscus on a heat pad and under lights. Nothing so far. How long did it take you for germination, Joan?

Those are pretty.

Germinating those seeds......was I suppose to put them in the refrigerator first? lol

Don, after soaking the Hibiscus seeds for 24 hours, then planting them, they sprouted within the next few days, and then I had a stray come up about a week ago. I believe the soaking is important - gives them a good head start, and I planted only the sinkers. Mine are yellow too.

Good luck

Joan

Ok, that explains it then. I neglected to soak mine. Thanks anyway, Joan. I'll continue keeping them damp and warm and pray fro the best. Ü

Don

Under the lights I've got Brugmansias on the top shelf and the rest are mostly annuals. The bulk of the perennials I winter sowed for the first time.

Here's something else I'm trying for the first time under lights. Starting hostas and daylilies from seed. I was so excited to see them come up! This is a nice looking variegated hosta. Five weeks old.

Sandy

I am trying to start some Abutilon as well as some brugs, passifloras and sweet hibiscus. along with some more easy/ordinary things. We went and bought a heating cable and got everything all ready. Covered it with sand. Nada. So back to more innovative methods. I didn't get around to any winter sowing this year.

I've got so much planted, I have a rotation system. While one group is under the lights for 12 hours, the other group is under black plastic for those same 12 hours. When the time has passed, they get rotated.

Planted are:

Salvia - Fire
Salvia - Purple
Baby's Breath
Abutilon
Pansies
Petunia's
Coleus
Sweet Peas
Marigolds
Geraniums


Broccoli
Cauliflower
Bell Peppers
Salsa Peppers
Tomato
Swiss Chard
Onion
Chives (Regular)
Chives (Garlic)
Thyme
Rosemary
Parsley

Want to see a picture?

Darrell

Heck-yeah!

Darrell, need you ask?

I have some Catalpa seeds sprouting under lights. While this may not be very exciting - or even very desirable - for many , one of them will become a memory for me. My father is very ill and must go into a nursing home for what remains of his life. When I went to help clean out his apartment my DH picked a couple of seed pods off of the Catalpa tree outside Dad's building for me. As the chosen tiny tree grows in the years to come it will be a visible and tangible memory of my Dad.

Success, finally! my Yellow Hibiscus finally popped up through the soil yesterday. I guess they were just waiting for Spring! Ü


I will remember to soak them next time though. Thanks Joan.
Don

I'm so happy for you Don. Good going.

Joan doing the happy dance.

Edited March 21 to say that this picture belongs to Lilypon and was saved by me quite some time ago for use on a small Canadian forum but never used. Sorry Pam ~ Joan

This message was edited Mar 21, 2006 9:12 PM

Don, I have two yellow hibiscus popped through too. Still waiting on some more. I did soak, so fingers crossed.

Joan, cute birds. Have I seen them somewhere before?

Thanks Joan. :)

Yes you have Brenda. It's a scene from Lilypon's window sill. The explanation is above. Joan

Scotia Tomatoes, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Coleus in the pots

Swiss Chard and under the plastic is Thyme

wrong picture

Coleus on the left and Broccoli on the right

That's quite a set-up you have there DarrellR. I envy you having this much space. Joan

On the green rack, (top), up toward the lights, (looks like grass), is Reg. Chives and Garlic Chives
Center top Cabbage & Broccoli
Top front is Big Beef Tomato, Clasica Tomato

Under the lights is Blushing Beauty Bell Pepper, Garden Salsa Pepper, Orange Sun Bell Pepper. Sorry the light is so bright and you can't see them. Maybe if I take some pictures during the day, they won't glare so bad.

Salvia. Fire (red) or Purple. Not sure from the picture.

More stuff under the lights

Petunia's in 10" baskets

last one