Suzy, I was just thinking about that, too. We'll find it ...
Stoke's Seed Swa-Op Babies!
Eek, the catalog site is now saying that that product does not exist???
Edit .... sheesh, try this: https://www.rhshumway.com/dp.asp?P=%7B0AD685F6%2DF5C8%2D48CF%2DABAE%2D9400E057D6EE%7D
This message was edited Feb 13, 2008 12:37 PM
THAT'S why that looks familiar - I remember you saying you were going to get those Suzy, but I didn't follow through on getting any for myself.
OUR FIRST GERANIUM HAS GERMINATED :)))))))))))))))
I checked at 7:30 am nothing and low and behold soon after that...her little head poked out... we are the proud parents of a baby G
Oh, the Miracle of Life ...
Congratulations, Wind!
Congratulations Wind :-)
thank you! I can't wait to see if the little one gets any siblings!!!!!!
It was 7 days from sowing, without a heat mat. Under the lights is approx 70 degrees F. This is on the new plant rack I got that is in a heated room. Note: our house thermostat drops at 11 pm to 62 deg. F.
That sounds like roughly the same conditions as mine, only somewhat warmer. All of mine germinated, though a couple of them lagged behind. They are my "runts" but I love them just as much as the Big Kidz. It wouldn't be right to play favorites, after all ...
I JUST started mine two days ago (I know, I already posted that, but I am SO excited!), on heat mats in an unheated basement (it stays about 62* down there) under lights. Checking them every couple hours doesn't seem to have any effect on encouraging them to sprout, however :( Guess I'll have to be more patient and wait a few more days...
Happy Valentine's Day :-)
This message was edited Feb 14, 2008 11:34 AM
Hi Seandor - I've not tried that one, but now you have me intrigued so I must go look it up :)
I wasn't sure about that one seandor, I didn't even start it yet...so that is also another one to start early?
I was just looking up the browallia again....going to start that March 1st.
my WS envelope is busting full!!!!!!! I'm going to use leftover clear plastic takeout cake containers I have from my old store and see how those work for containers. I was going to go to the recycling and snoop around, but I'm grossed out by picking up someone else's trash! Sorry LeBug, I guess I'm a whimp compared to you lol. It dosn't help that I'm in a microbiology class now....all I can think of is all the microorganisms!
That's why the gods invented clorine bleach . . . :-)
Hey LeBug, we can use all that trash in our yards for containers. lol (I live on a corner, and everyone throws things in my yard) I am like you tho, wind, I almost have to wear gloves to pick up other peoples trash. I have even found dirty baby diapers...now that's being sorry.
I have five burgundy babies, I just planted them the 12th! That was fast! Three more to go!
Valentine babies! I'm going to leave them in my room over night then take them downstairs in the morning, don't want them to get chilled right away they don't have a sweater on LOL It should be a little warmer down there I do have three more seed trays down there, ypipeee 8^)
Yea! Lil burgundy babies. I have some Nasty babies. : )
LOL Lucy I'm not going to touch that one LOL
Wind and LeBug, Congratulations on your baby Gs! That is so exciting!
I am just thinking it might be time to transplant mine, but I think I'll wait until next week.
Suzy
Do we get more pics of your babies? Do I need to swing by with my camera??
LeBug, LOL, they are Nasturtium babies. I put them in lil plugs, so I have to get them in the ground real soon. : )
I'm excited, first babies of the year and 1,000 to go!
Lucy, I knew what you were talking about just couldn't quit laughing, you are soo lucky to live in such a warm zone!
At least, a 1000 or more, here, also. I'm gonna have to plow the back 40. LOL
Yes, I am lucky, but at least your winter stays cold, mine gets cold a couple of days, then heats up, back and forth. AC, heater, AC, heater, all in the same day.
I hear you girl! LOL I've got the room just don't know how the energy will hold out on those hot humid days, I planted alllll summer last year!
I had two more babies pop their heads up so now just have one more baby geranium to go, they are downstairs under lights soaking up that wonderful sunshine from the plantlight, I got four new plant bulbs for my top shelf just for seeds to germinate under, wish I could afford for all of the lights to be the plant bulbs I really like those the best but the other lights work just as well when they are growing just not as much heat comes off of them as the plant bulbs, as cool as it is in my basement I think the seeds need the warmth.
What kind of fertilizer does everybody use after their seedlings are ready to be fed? Here is what I have been using for years, last year I tried the miracle grow and saw such a difference, the seedlings just seem to exist when I was using the MG, this stuff makes them stockier and the plants looked a lot healthier too! I won’t switch, but I'm curious as to what everybody else uses?
http://www.gardeners.com/Plant+Health+Care+for+Seedlings/Houseplants+8+Oz/31-279,default,pd.html
And here is more information about it, I use what is left over for my seedling outside in the spring it doesn't last for the next year it turns to liquid:
http://planthealthcare.com/HT/Overview
I'm so glad you brought that up - I was wondering the same thing. I've decided I need to get something that has the mycorrhizal fungus in it, but wasn't sure how best to get it to their wee roots. I also read a post yesterday (was that here??) that MG is actually full of nasty things that don't break down well, and also interfere with a plant's ability to take up phosphorous and other chemicals - apparently back in 2000 it was tested and found to be actually BAD for the plants. I have some Peter's that I've used on my houseplants, but now I'm gonna look that up and see if it's as bad as MG.
I also have Osmocote for the established plants, and that seems to work well for them (containers and such). Then again, a little fish emulsion is good too!
Hi, LeBug--(thought of you yesterday as I WSed so many of your Columbine seeds (thanks!)).
Thanks for the planthealthcare link. Looks interesting and good to hear your endorsement. Sounds something like Superthrive or Messenger, doesn't it? (not the same, of course, but vitamins, miccro, etc. with the fert added in too.) I'd like to order some.
I thought this photo was interesting on their site because it showed the 'before and after' increased root system photos using their product, yet the green top of the plant was exactly the same in both pics...?
http://planthealthcare.com/HT/Mycorrhizal
I'd like to try one of these wonder potions on my seedlings this year, too, and would like to hear what everyone recommends.
And I'm so sorry I didn't get in on the Stokes swa-op...it sounds like you're having lots of fun with your seed starting, everyone! And I'm learning a lot about seed starting on the thread, so thanks!~
I've bought some osmocote for my potted plants already this year I was reading about it yesterday and it has a lot of the minerals and such that they need, I've always used miracle grow so I need to find something else for the pots and everyone seems to be happy with the osmocote although it's kind of expensive. I'll use compost tea on my plants in the ground.
Annuals are so much more fussy this is why I haven't planted a lot of annuals in the past, more water, more food, gosh Suzy must spend a fortune on her yard, what do you use to feed your annuals with Suzy?
I have two fish tanks here that I'll be trying to feed my plants with this year too :) I tried rooting plants in them but the fish ate the roots LOL Dumb me didn't put anything in there with them to keep the fish from eating them LOL Didn't even think about it!
Oh tabasco, I hope they all come up for you! Isn't it a shame because they won't bloom the first year I just love columbines and hate the wait! I have some new ones that will bloom this year that I can't wait to see, I just hope they make it thru this wet winter but they are showing green so guess they will be fine :) It's just the wait for the flowers!
I've got the messenger too and didn't really get to try it last year but this year I've got to use it to check the difference out in it.
I think I have that link at the bottom with the other one :) Last year I was trying to save money and not order the PHC and I could really tell a difference in my seedlings I won't do that again I even bought the bigger container for this year!
On the messenger, I think the key is the correct timing for spraying on the seedlings. Others know better, but that's what I concluded from my research online. If the seedlings are past a certain point it doesn't work quite the same (or something like that--just enough knowledge to be dangerous!)
I planted some of the columbine seeds last summer, so I'll have some this year I hope, too! Just love 'em!
I use Osmocote, too. Mainly because it's good for 4 months and then I don't have to remember to repeat feedings (although I use Miracle Grow for quick fixes--like if you decide to come for a visit, I would MG the garden a few days before! (-: Mostly of course, I try to be 'natural'...
I added 4 month Osmocote to my Wintersowing pots and bins because I am a ditz about remembering to feed the seedlings. Probably not the best way to do it, but I'm hoping it's better than letting them starve.
I don't understand what you are saying about fish tanks. Do you use the water from the fish tanks for the flowers? Is that 'fish emulsion'? I thought fish emulsion was the 'silt' or whatever (manure?)...And seed starting underwater is beyond my scope, I think!
Tabasco read this about miracle grow Meridith79 I think brought it to our attention:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/terms/go/2307/
I've always heard that feeding your plants with the fish tank water was good for your plants so I'm getting one of those tubes to suck the emulsions out of the bottom to feed my plants with this year, I use it already to put in the butterfly dishes with sand and add a little salt, I know you like the flutters :)
I just thought the fish tank would be a good place to root plants if the emulsions were good for feeding the plants and with the bubbling action from the filter, so I tried to start some clematis in the tank but the fish ate them, guess next time I'll have to put some sort of cage in there to keep them from the roots lol No seeds I was just trying to root plants :) I don't want to get into it in here but here is a link to the bubler system which is kind of the same as putting them in the fish tank:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/617812/
I'm not going to put the messenger on the seedlings, myself, until I put them in the ground :) I do understand you can do it.
Yes, the organic gardeners are quite vocal about Miracle-Gro and they do have a point. I try not to use it as often as I might.
Will check out your bubbler link.
It can be difficult to strike a happy medium between "organic" and "inorganic" chemicals - I was very surprised to read that MiracleGro actually inhibited the uptake of other nutrients...but then, that chemistry is beyond my abilities :) I can remember my Grandpa saving his fish heads for putting around his rose bushes - and lemme tell ya, his roses were SOMETHING! I don't think he used anything else. I'm planning on putting some roses in this year, and I think I'm going to stick with fish emulsion for them.
LeBug - when I had freshwater tanks I would save the, er, results from cleaning and feed it to my houseplants - they never seemed to mind!
I thought about doing that Robin but was afraid it would smell the house up, can you smell it? LOL
Only while you're first cleaning the tank and using it - but then, you always get that smell when cleaning the tank, so what the heck? It percolates down to the roots (well, it better!) so it's not something like a side-dressing :)
Oh, ok thanks, the house plants (all four of them lol) will start new growth pretty soon I'll try that.
All I managed to snap was the geranium. This is from a few days ago. You can see that the two runts on the left are waaay behind the others.
