A question on planting seeds
I'm just wondering if anyone knows whether it matters too much if I happen to put too much of a layer of soil over the seeds when the packet specifically says that there should be a "very fine sprinkling"? I have put about half a centimeter of soil over the seeds. Will the seeds still come through?
Also, the packet says that I should put the container into a sealed polythene bag, but I have put them into a propagator instead. Does this matter too much? Many thanks, Joseph |
A question on planting seeds
In article ,
Joseph P wrote: I'm just wondering if anyone knows whether it matters too much if I happen to put too much of a layer of soil over the seeds when the packet specifically says that there should be a "very fine sprinkling"? I have put about half a centimeter of soil over the seeds. Will the seeds still come through? Normally, the seeds are covered with soil to a depth of 1 and a half times the diameter of the seed. Also, the packet says that I should put the container into a sealed polythene bag, but I have put them into a propagator instead. Does this matter too much? Many thanks, Joseph -- - Billy http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/ http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/...acegroups.html http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth...130964689.html |
A question on planting seeds
On Feb 11, 2:10*pm, Joseph P
wrote: I have put about half a centimeter of soil over the seeds. Will the seeds still come through? but I have put them into a propagator instead. Does this matter too much? 1/2 cm shouldn't matter. propagator? If you are talking about a nursery flat w/ a propagation/ humidity dome or plastic wrap, you should be fine with that also. Just watch to ensure it does not get too humid nor too dry and every once in a while circulate fresh air. I use a light dusting of cinnamon on my flats. It has been reported to have anti fungal properties as has tumeric and chamomile tea. The cinnamon seems to help me but I also use Neem and fans quite a bit in my GH. |
A question on planting seeds
On Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:10:21 +0000, Joseph P wrote:
I'm just wondering if anyone knows whether it matters too much if I happen to put too much of a layer of soil over the seeds when the packet specifically says that there should be a "very fine sprinkling"? I have put about half a centimeter of soil over the seeds. Will the seeds still come through? It's going to be tougher, as I'm guessing these seeds are small and so the seedlings will be small. It's a race to get tall enough to reach the light before running out of stored nutrients in the seed. If the soil is loose, it will probably be ok. Also, the packet says that I should put the container into a sealed polythene bag, but I have put them into a propagator instead. Does this matter too much? They're trying to prevent the seeds from drying out during germination. If your propagator has a high relative humidity (better yet, a mist system!) it's even better. Seedlings in plastic bags have a tendency to damp off. Having high relative humidity and good air circulation leads to healthier seedlings. I typically grow seedlings under an intermittent mist in an area with good air circulation -- sometimes I help the air circulation out with a fan. Plain sand as seed cover (or sand and milled sphagnum mix) is also useful in improving germination. |
A question on planting seeds
In article ,
Kay Lancaster wrote: On Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:10:21 +0000, Joseph P wrote: I'm just wondering if anyone knows whether it matters too much if I happen to put too much of a layer of soil over the seeds when the packet specifically says that there should be a "very fine sprinkling"? I have put about half a centimeter of soil over the seeds. Will the seeds still come through? It's going to be tougher, as I'm guessing these seeds are small and so the seedlings will be small. It's a race to get tall enough to reach the light before running out of stored nutrients in the seed. If the soil is loose, it will probably be ok. Also, the packet says that I should put the container into a sealed polythene bag, but I have put them into a propagator instead. Does this matter too much? They're trying to prevent the seeds from drying out during germination. If your propagator has a high relative humidity (better yet, a mist system!) it's even better. Seedlings in plastic bags have a tendency to damp off. Having high relative humidity and good air circulation leads to healthier seedlings. I typically grow seedlings under an intermittent mist in an area with good air circulation -- sometimes I help the air circulation out with a fan. Plain sand as seed cover (or sand and milled sphagnum mix) is also useful in improving germination. Kay, I'm glad to see that you are still looking over us. ----- Creative Propagation by Peter Thompson and Josie Owen (First Edition, 1992) http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...stripbooks&fie ld-keywords=Creative+Propagation&x=15&y=21 (Available from better libraries near you.) ANNUALS AND BIENNIALS FROM SEED Standard Method of Sowing Seeds .. . . problems can be avoided by sowing seeds in ways which are much easier to manage. The simplest method is based on the principle that a seed compost should consist of two parts: a lower layer which provides space for the roots to develop, and a reservoir of water and nutrients to support their growth, and an upper layer to accommodate the seeds and provide them with ideal conditions in which they can germinate, and seedlings can become established. Any good quality potting compost can be used for the lower layer, but this should be free-draining, and contain high proportions of fibre to enable it to hold water like a sponge, and yet drain freely to dispose of surplus water. The upper layer must consist of a material which is porous and water-retentive, but free-draining and very stable. Loams and peats do not match these requirements and are unsuitable in any form. Grits and sands dry out too rapidly and are not very satisfactory. An ideal material is a porous grit (similar in consistency to the debris of heavily crushed clay flower pots). Crushed clay pots have been included in recipes for potting composts from time to time in the past but are not available to many of us today. Alternative materials which are easier to obtain include: (a) Calcined clay minerals of the kind that are used for cat litter, or soaking up oil spillages from garage floors, or marketed from time to time for horticultural use. (b) Horticultural vermiculite or perlite. (c) Crushed brick, marketed as a dressing for hard tennis courts. (d) Crushed tufa, sifted to remove dust. All of these have the right consistency, they are stable materials which retain their integrity for a long time and are easy to manage, they are inert, they hold water and yet drain freely, and produce an environment for seeds which is moist, well-aerated, and easily penetrated by the emerging plumules and developing roots. -- - Billy http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/ http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/...acegroups.html http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth...130964689.html |
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