How I grow seedlings

My way is not necessarily the right way. Like they say there more ways than one to skin a cat (or something like that :-).

1) I soak my seeds for 24 to 48 hours and changing the water at least 4 or 5 times. This takes a week or two off the germination and I believe a better germination rate.

2) I use a soil less mix.

2 parts miracle grow potting soil
1 part vermiculite
1 part perilite
1-part pine bark fines
1 tablespoon of 17-17-17 /6-month slow release fertilizer (per container)
This has worked the best for me holds moisture but aerates and drains well.

3) I use 14 inches long X 8 inches wide X 5 inch deep plastic shoeboxes. You can buy them at Lowes for about $1.28. They come with lids. After they seed germinate I use the lids as saucers. I use a packing slip sleeve and an aluminum label for each container that will follow them to the garden.

4) I use a natural fungicide Called Root shield and a product called Mighty Myco a mycorrhizal product. I have had no Damping off and better root systems.


5) I place the soil mix that I mix in a 10 gallon plastic bucket in the shoebox with the fertilizer. About a ½ inch from the top. I sprinkle a tablespoon of Mighty Myco then
I the place the seeds using an eyebrow tweezers about ½ inch apart. I cover this with ¼ to ½ inch of pine bark fines. I water in with the root shield fungicide.

6) When the seeds start germinating I place under 2- 1000-watt Hi intensity lights that I run from about 6:00 pm till 6:00 am. Cost about $20 to $30 a month. I fertilize with ¼ strength miracle grow.

The picture below was taken today. The seeds were planted October 6th a little over 7 weeks ago.

Thanks dec! I really appreciate the inclusion of all the particulars. When I was looking at you previous photos, I was thinking you were using a ziplock or glad containers. And I said to myself: "isn't that a bit shallow?" Thanks for clearing up that misconception. Pretty healthy offspring there too.

Rick

Thanks for all the great info. Question about the shoe boxes. Did you cut holes in the bottom and, if so, what did you use to do that. I assume that the shoe boxes are rigid plastic. Do you keep the boxes covered with the lids until most of the seeds germinate or do you take the lid off when the first few germinate?

What is pink bark fine and where do you get it?

One more question. I guess I've heard that not all lily seed is started in the same manner for whatever reason. Do you start all lily seed the same way?

I cut at least 8 or 9 holes in the bottom using a 1/2 inch auger bit, make sure the plastic has been in a warm area or you may break the bottom out . The only place i have found the pine bark fines has been Ace Hardware. But you can crush regular pine bark down to 1/2 inch or smaller and it will be the same. Yes I plant Hypogeal and epigeal seed the same way except under the table for 3 months then the refrigerator for 3 months and finally under the lights. I do not take the lid off until I see apprx. 30% of the seed germinated.

Up date on my seedling planted October 6 . I have a little browning Probably a bit of salt build up from fertilizer(most common reason for tip burn) or burning from the 1000 watt lights. Very healthy besides that. Happy Holidays Dennis

This message was edited Dec 24, 2006 8:59 AM

They look really great. :)

thanks for the info dennis. your lilies are looking goooooood. :-)

do you cross pollinate your own lilies outdoors, or do you just let nature take its course and go from there?

thanks for sharing your knowledge.
debi z
oh yes, where do you get vermiculite. i can't get it anymore, they don't sell it. what could be substituted?

hi Deb_z
I do both hand crosses,Open pollinated and I buy seed. Ebay is a great place to buy vermiculite. I think any soil mix is good as long as it is sterile and drains well.
Dennis

new pictures of the Babies:-)

Those look marvelous!

Asiatic seedlings TETS First Lady X Mixed 4n pollen
4 months from seed From BuggyCrazy(Lisa Hunt)

Wow!
How often do you water?Do you transplant right from the tub to the ground? Do you have any trouble with them after transplanting, stunted growth yellowing of leaves? Have you had any bloom the 2nd summer?

Questions, questions :*)
Andrew

This message was edited Feb 9, 2007 7:10 PM

Those look very nice. I'm surprised they are so big. Is this what my little scale bulblets will look like at the end of the summer? If so, I better plan a little more space than I was planning. When do you plan to plant them out?

Hi
I water once a week with fertilizer. I use miracle grow / miracid and a magcal . Growing under high intensity light there is very little transplant shock(So yes from tub to garden). The picture is last year seedling Straight into the garden(Started in late December planted in April 4 months old). I started 2 month earlier This year. So they will be 6 or 7 months old when put into the garden. I am hoping to have quit a few bloom from last years crop and maybe with the extra start a few from this years. I plant them out in April/May depending on the weather.

I used the same tubs this year as you have. Have you had any issues with untangling the roots, or do you find that having the soil near the top provides enough depth that they stay away from each other?

Great seedlings!
Andrew

Hi Andrew
I use a very course loose mixture. I just dump the container out and shake them loose. Here is a picture of last years bulbs(4 month olds)
Dennis

Thank you so very much for taking the time to start this thread and post the wonderful pictures.

Judy

I was wondering about where you purchased your HID lights. Locally or over the net? Brand etc.

Thank you

Hi
I bought Most of My components off Ebay. I have also purchased from Wormsway(My reflectors) $69 about $100 if you add a glass lens and flange kit. My cooling fans are inline duct fans I bought from Home Depot. Just add a cord and a clamp. Here is a Ebay 1000 watt system for $149.00 with shipping about $200.00. I have bought from this guy several times and he is Excellent. Just place this number in search and the item will come up. 180083918557

The sticker shock on lights just because they are labeled "grow lights" was quite large... I'll see what the ebay person has.

Thanks again

The price of Lights is Inflated because of there Illegal uses. The Sad Truth)-:

This message was edited Mar 2, 2007 8:30 AM

Ahhhhhh, me understand.

Hi
6 month update on my seedling. A couple of them are starting to put up stalks . In about 2 weeks I will set them out in the shade and 1 more week will plant.
Dennis

Thats interesting that the first year a stalk would grow. Are those the tetras?


Andrew

Dennis, tell us what varieties you have there. Please?

Hi
The above picture is First Lady X mixed 4n Pollen.(Buggy Crazy Seed)
And the below picture is Mabel Violet Seedlings (Buggy Crazy Seed) . I have aleast 50 flats that include OT -tet trumpet-tet asatics- martagons - asatics and 8 or 9 species

Wow, you must have a lot of lights in that place.

I have 3- 1000 watt lights. I have 2 Metal halides on light movers and 1 High pressure sodium that is station over the other 2. The combination give the plants a broad spectrum of light. I find this is the best for growth.
Dennis

Thats a lot of kilowatt hours! I get charged 11 cents/kilowatt. Running 3 1000 watt lights 12/day would cost me around $120/month :*)

You have to run them at night. The rates drop drastically . It cost me about $30 per month. I run them 12 hours 6:00 pm to 6:00am.
Dennis

Hi All
Ready to plant my seedlings this year. Here the final results before planting.

I had 1 surprise, This is a open OP tet asatic Lily. Going to bloom out of the boxes (-:

My wife thought I was addicted to lilies until I showed her your photos :*) Do you have room for all of those?

Andrew

yes . I have plenty of room . I have a neighbor with a large corner lot. He had a large bed in back that went wild . He let me have it, If I took care of it so I have several hundred square feet of perfect lily area . A sloped east exposer . With a soil with high organic content.

Here is the size of the bulbs I planted from this year seedlings started under High intensity light. These are fire truck tetra X mixed 4n pollen from buggy crazy. Started November 1rst 2006. Planted today May 2nd 2007.

Wow, looks like you did an awesome job!

Mine look good, I think but not that good. I can't believe the size of those bulbs already.

i'm impressed with the number of leaves on each bulb. from what i see outside, the first year they have 1 leaf. i guess mother nature has a lot to learn from you. :)
debi z and franklin

Those look great and you sure can be proud of them !!!

I will use your method when I try them this coming winter/spring.Keep us posted please.How long does it take for some to flower for the first time ?