|
Posted by Billy on June 16, 2008, 1:28 pm
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
I use a soil that is specifically for germination (high sphagnum (Sphagnum L.)
moss content I think) and it seems to do a good job of germination
but then the seedlings seem to lack vigor. When I transplant the
seedlings into larger vessels with "regular" potting mix, the
plants suddenly become vigorous.
Anyone else have this experience?
--
Billy
Bush and Pelosi Behind Bars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTfcAyYGg&ref=patrick.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo59c7zU&feature=related
|
|
Posted by Jangchub on June 16, 2008, 2:58 pm
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
>I was wondering if anyone else had the same observation as I have.
>I use a soil that is specifically for germination (high sphagnum
>moss content I think) and it seems to do a good job of germination
>but then the seedlings seem to lack vigor. When I transplant the
>seedlings into larger vessels with "regular" potting mix, the
>plants suddenly become vigorous.
>
>Anyone else have this experience?
You are probably not packing the soiless mix hard enough and the roots
are weak from not having any resistance as they develop. I'm not
saying to pack the mix hard or very tight, but firmed in before you
put seeds on it, then cover the mix with the seed and if the seed
needs dark to germinate just press that seed firm into the soil
leaving it out to the light and water lightly. If the seed needs dark
to germinate, still place seed on packed soiless mix and cover it with
either vermiculite or more soiless mix. The mix is more likely milled
vermiculite, not peat, but I don't know what you have there.
As a plus, make sure the mix is moist before you pack it into the
flats or tray you are using. Most mixes have a wetting agent so the
media will absorb better, but don't over water.
|
|
Posted by Bill on June 16, 2008, 3:07 pm
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
> I was wondering if anyone else had the same observation as I have.
> I use a soil that is specifically for germination (high sphagnum
> moss content I think) and it seems to do a good job of germination
> but then the seedlings seem to lack vigor. When I transplant the
> seedlings into larger vessels with "regular" potting mix, the
> plants suddenly become vigorous.
>
> Anyone else have this experience?
My main problem has been getting light to the young plants. My cold
frame helps a lot. Once up I plant outside as soon as possible so I am
latter than most folks about here.
These sites have a bit of what your question is aimed at.
<http://www.gardenersnet.com/atoz/germinat.htm>
<http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ho/ho56/ho56.htm>
Just book marked them myself as I never thought to ask that question
concerning best practice after germination.
Thanks!
Bill
--
Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA
Book "Our Media Not Theirs" Many Stars
|
|
Posted by Steve Young on June 17, 2008, 10:57 am
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
>I was wondering if anyone else had the same observation as I have.
> I use a soil that is specifically for germination (high sphagnum
> moss content I think) and it seems to do a good job of germination
> but then the seedlings seem to lack vigor. When I transplant the
> seedlings into larger vessels with "regular" potting mix, the
> plants suddenly become vigorous.
>
> Anyone else have this experience?
Exactly!
The starter I used, Magik-Moss Seed Starter is excellent, as far as
composition, water retention and working form, but it seemingly has the
nutritional value of shredded plastic. Next year I'll mix a couple of cups
of alfalfa meal and a little bone meal with each bucket. That should green
things up, as compared to the pale starts I was constantly chasing with
nitrogen this year.
Steve Young
|
|
Posted by y_p_w on June 17, 2008, 2:10 pm
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options > I was wondering if anyone else had the same observation as I have.
> I use a soil that is specifically for germination (high sphagnum
> moss content I think) and it seems to do a good job of germination
> but then the seedlings seem to lack vigor. When I transplant the
> seedlings into larger vessels with "regular" potting mix, the
> plants suddenly become vigorous.
>
> Anyone else have this experience?
To some degree yes. After moving to a new home, I've been trying to
establish some new California poppies late in the season. I saw
almost nothing growing from seed this late. I eventually tried
Jiffy-7 "peat pellets" which are primarily sphagnum (Sphagnum L.) moss as well as
square peat pots with potting soil (Miracle-Gro Moisture Control).
The seedlings (germinated indoors) coming out of the pots (soil
moderately packed) come up more slowly and smaller, but they seem
stocky and strong. Most of the seedlings from the pellets are growing
taller, but spindly with long stems sticking out underneath the base.
One reason may have been when I kept them too long indoors. They
seemed to get longer stems because they grew and leaned towards the
sun coming from the window. Another part could be the fertilizer in
the potting soil as well as the resistance to root growth from the
packed soil. I move them outdoors to condition them to the sun, but
some seedlings have died from the heat. I guess that's fine, since
I'm trying to develop seedlings that won't just die when they get
transplanted.
I did have one really nice example growing from a pellet, that I've
since transplanted to a pot. That one I germinated in a different
area, and took it outside as soon as I saw the taproot well
established and before the stem popped up.
I have removed the netting from the pellets before transplanting. The
peat pots I've watered and pulled back to keep the soil around the
seedling intact. I've used plastic seedling pots, but I have a hard
time getting them out without damaging the root. I also tried ripping
the used peat pots into pieces to use as a soil amendment.
Just for fun I'm trying to sprout up some heliotropes from seed in the
peat pellets. I'll see how that turns out.
|
| Similar Threads | Posted | | Seed germination | May 31, 2006, 6:08 pm |
| Pseudolithos seed germination | October 22, 2007, 1:48 pm |
| Brocolli seed germination | June 26, 2008, 1:02 pm |
| blueberry seed germination | June 11, 2008, 7:35 am |
| Eggplant germination question | May 9, 2008, 1:17 am |
| vermi compost for Seed germination? | July 9, 2007, 4:16 am |
| Buying seed germination blankets larger than 4' x 50'? | March 6, 2008, 8:16 am |
| Oak Seedlings | July 23, 2006, 11:51 am |
| lupine seedlings | April 11, 2006, 9:02 pm |
| transplanting seedlings | May 4, 2006, 1:34 pm |
|
XML site map