On 05/05/2017 09:53, Chris Hogg wrote:
On Fri, 05 May 2017 09:30:09 +0100, Stephen
wrote:

On Wed, 03 May 2017 10:10:26 +0100, Chris Hogg wrote:

Seed compost doesn't contain much in the way of fertiliser.

What fertiliser do you recommend and how often?

A general fertiliser in the water, such as Phostrogen, Miracle-grow or
Baby-bio. Plenty to choose from in your local garden centre. Probably
best made up at half the recommended strength, and applied once a
month, between normal waterings.

Are they overcrowded?

Possibly.

Have you pricked them out into separate pots?

No, I shall do this. Any pointers?

Keep the pots small this first time; one seedling per pot; handle the
seedlings by the leaves not the stems; be gentle with them when
loosening from their existing soil, i.e. try not to just rip them out,
and after a year where they are they are likely to have tangled roots.
Some root breakage will be inevitable though. Pot up in say John Innes
No.1 compost, possibly with extra grit, say 20%. You will probably
find you have far more seedlings than you need or have space for.
Don't be afraid to be brutal and throw quite a few away.

Clay pots dry out faster than plastic ones. Do you water the compost
regularly?

I have used clay pots as they look prettier than plastic and I do
water them daily.

Daily watering is probably too often. Twice a week might be better.
Better still, when the pot feels light, but that takes experience.
Herbs often like gritty free-draining soil and daily watering is going
to keep the soil too wet and will encourage root-rot.

Do you have them in a well-lit position

Yes.

Thanks for your help!



If you are new to growing herbs then I would start with plants, once you
are able to grow them well and have learned what conditions and
treatment they like, then is the time to try growing from seed.
David @ a sunny side of Swansea Bay