"Jeremy Lunn" wrote in message
...
SNIP
I'm thinking that the best way would be to raise the seedlings in a seed
tray then transplant them. For the moment I just filled the base with
potting mix, then added a thin layer of seed mix, along with the seeds
and 2mm of mix on top of that.
Generally raising them in a tray would give you more control, more in mixes
below.
Unfortunately seed mix seems expensive and I can't find it in anything
more than 5 litre quantities. In the past (when I was a kid) we'd fill
the trays up completely with the seed mix. Though if I have a lot of
seeds to raise, that won't be efficient. It would still be nice to be
able to use some cheaper mix or produce my own. What have people done
in this regard? I've heard that fire ash can be good for raising seeds,
perhaps a bit of saw dust (assuming the wood isn't treated) and perhaps
some of the raw ingrediants that they add to the seed mix? Perhaps I
could source some of our finest compost as well?
Not sure on fire ash and sawdust would only be a good addition if it was old
and broken down.
A mix of 4 parts coarse sand, 1 part peat is a good seed raising mix, and
it's relatively cheap to make. Peat is quite cheap if you buy a peat brick,
which for around 2.50 to 3 bucks makes approx 8litres of peat, so nearly a
bucket full. Then if you can get river sand, or coarse sand you are set.
That peat brick when mixed with sand will give you about 40litres of seed
raising mix.
Also how important is it to space the seeds apart? Or should they just
be scattered and then separated as they are more mature and ready for
planting?
If you can get some old "cell" punnets from a nursery (they should nearly
give them to you) put 2 seeds or 3 seeds in each cell. All you need is one
to come up in each cell.
If you use a tray, try scatter the seeds sparingly, then as they come up
"thin" them out. This does waste seeds however.
How about watering and feeding? I have a little trigger sprayer that
cost 73 cents at kmart, though if I do this more often I think I may
need a pressure sprayer. Once they sprout, what do I feed them with?
Water the mix thouroughly before sowing seeds, put seeds in, then give a
light sprinkle of mix over the top. Even a sieve is a good way to sprinkle
mix over the seeds.
Then use the mist bottle to water, about 3 times a day. You want them
moist/damp at all times, but not wet. You won't need a pressure sprayer
unless you have a lot of seedlings. Even then, one of those water nozzles
that click on the hose with a mist option will do the job.
Have the seeds on a window sill or in the sun/filtered sun, just not full
shade. Before the shoots come to the surface they don't need sun, but rather
the heat.
If you use the cell planting method, get the seedlings into the garden when
roots start showing at the bottom. If you use a tray, transplant them out no
earlier then 2-4 true leaves appear.
This is general sowing options, but check the seed packets for varying seed
depths
Good luck
(In this instance I am sowing Alyssums).
Any advice appreciated,
Jeremy
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Jeremy Lunn
Melbourne, Australia
Homepage: http://www.austux.net/
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