what is the best time to remove seeds from a propogator
i have a propogator that takes seven individual trays after sowing seeds i
always seem to get long stragely plants
i know that i have left them in the propogator to long
question is when do you open the vents ie after first seedling appears
when do you remove trays from heated propogater
ps propogater as no thermostat just a constant heat
i know its all try and error but any advice would be welcome

In article , terry
writes
what is the best time to remove seeds from a propogator
i have a propogator that takes seven individual trays after sowing seeds i
always seem to get long stragely plants
i know that i have left them in the propogator to long
question is when do you open the vents ie after first seedling appears
when do you remove trays from heated propogater
ps propogater as no thermostat just a constant heat
i know its all try and error but any advice would be welcome




Personally I would take them out of the propagator as soon as the first
leaves appear as most plants that need high temperatures for germination
would then require slightly lower temperatures to grow on. However it
will all depend on the seeds and the type of plant etc.

If you have them crowded and pushed for space they will becomes as
etiolated (good word learned from RHS course!) /too long as those that
don't have enough light.

It should say on the seed packet the temperatures that are needed, if
not try the internet for information as most seed companies now publish
the conditions for individual seeds.

Try sowing fewer seeds per tray and take out when the first pair of true
leaves appears if you think the plants need more warmth.

Of course if you are attempting to germinate seeds in the winter then
low light levels will also affect the seeds as will lack of light from
placing the propagator on the window sill.

If you keep them too humid cooped up in the propagator then you may also
get them rotting/damping off which is a fungal (I think) condition.

Some annuals especially hardy ones and things such as lettuce, don't
need high temperatures at all, and some plants are better grown under
harder conditions.

There are several experts on this group (Sacha, Janet B., Janet G., Kay
etc who could put it more succinctly but I thought I'd just throw my
fourpenn'orth in.

Most libraries will have at least one or two books that you could borrow
to look up plants and propagation and there are two that are
particularly good. The RHS book and the Which book of propagation.

Janet
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk