|
|
|
Starting Plants From Seeds Indoors -
A lot of plants have longer growing periods and they will
not fruit or flower if they do not get an early start indoors.
|
|
- Although plants do not
have to be started inside, they will develop sooner, and will be
bigger and bloom longer when you start them early.
- Plants
with small seeds are sheltered from sever weather.
- You have
more control over insects, disease, and weeds.
Seed Selection and Preparation: Prior
to planting, make sure to see if the type of seed you are planting needs any
particular type of handling. A number of seeds sprout faster if you saturate
them with water before planting. Do not saturate them too long, because a number
of seeds can become waterlogged and will rot. A number of seeds with harder
outer shells will sprout sooner if their shell is slightly cracked. Lightly use
a file, sandpaper, or knife to crack the exterior, without cracking the plant
embryo within. A couple of annuals that have to be started inside are Coleus,
begonia, impatiens, geranium, certain marigolds, pansy, verbena, and petunia. A
number of vegetables that require longer growing times in order to produce
include brussel sprouts, celery, cabbage, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, and
cauliflower. Seeds should be started approximately five to seven weeks before
you anticipate planting them outdoors.
 Containers and Soil: Before
starting seeds indoors, it is essential to have a sunny window that is exposed
to the south or a few cool-white fluorescent lights. Wooden or plastic nursery
trays will hold a large number of seeds, but you can use any type of foil pan,
pot, plastic cups, or Styrofoam cups and milk cartons. Make certain to cut holes
underneath so that water can drain away. There are also seed starter kits that
contain both soil and pots. If your pot has used for plants before, clean them
carefully and allow them to dry by placing them in the sun. This will get rid of
any fungi from prior plantings. If your containers are made of any absorbent
substance, you should give them a complete soaking in water before planting
seeds so that your container will not draw moisture out of the soil. It best to
use a store bought potting soil, you can also make your own mixture of soil. To
make your own mixture use one part peat moss, one part clean sand, and one part
good topsoil. Add some vermiculite to help keep the soil loose for new root
growth. Do not use garden soil it
can have fungi that can cause your plants to
decay.
Planting Seeds: Place your soil in trays or pots to within 1/2" from the
top. Smooth your soil with a board. Spread your seeds out uniformly. Push your
seeds into your soil. Plant two times as many seeds as the amount of plants you
need, since a few of the seeds might not sprout, or will be lost in
transplanting. Place soil over your seeds; they should be placed to a depth of
roughly three times the seeds diameter. Press small seeds into the soil gently.
Read the seed package for detailed planting instructions. If you did not moisten
your soil, set the containers into water and let it pull up water from the
bottom. This method waters your seeds more evenly than top watering, and does
not disturb the seeds. Label every container so that you do not forget what it
is. Next, cover your trays or pots with plastic. This will
keep the humidity up, so less watering will be needed. Keep your containers in
a warm spot, but not in directly in sunlight.
Germination: A few seeds
will require extra light for germination. Do not cover them. Read your seed
package for specific instructions. Inspect your containers every few days to
make certain it is not drying out. It should take approximately one week for the
seedlings to appear from and push through the top of the soil. When seedlings
appear, uncover them and place them in full sunlight or place them under a grow
light.
|
|
|
|
|
Seedlings need to be kept
moist, but take care when watering them, so that you do not disrupt them.
Watering from the bottom is best, though a delicate mist spray works well
also.
Acclimating and Transplanting Seedlings:
As soon as the plants have grown two complete pairs of leaves, repot them in
separate containers to give them space to grow and build up their root system.
Plants that already have separate containers will not have to transplant. When
you transplant your plants, hold them by the leaves, not by the stem. A few
plants do better if you pinch them back. This causes them to become more dense
and colorful. Pinch your plants back if your plants are getting too tall and you
are not ready to plant them outdoors. When it's time to plant outdoors, set the
plants outdoors
for a couple of hours per day for about a week, increase the amount of time
each day. This will get them used to being outdoors. When you are prepared to
plant them, water the plants and the soil where they will be planted. It is
better to transplant your plants on an overcast day so that the warmth of the
sun will not wilt your plants. Water your transplants once a day for
approximately a week. If your plants start to wilt, cover them or place them in
the shade until they recover.
|
|
|
|
|
|
