• Do you need help identifying a 🌶?
    Is your plant suffering from an unknown issue? 🤧
    Then ask in Identification and Diagnosis.

seeds Tending to seeds being germinated

reddwood691

reddwood691

I just started my seeds and am curious as to how often y'all open the cups and or water the seeds?
I checked the cups today and found that about half had dry dirt on top but the others are still damp. There is a heating pad under the tray that the cups sit on. And around 175 w cfls above .
Any ideas or tips are appreciated.

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
 
a80c93aa6b22a83dea33cb83db44611d.jpg


Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
 
Edmick said:
You really don't need any light at this point unless you're using it for heat. Keep the soil damp but not soggy. You should check them daily though to make sure they haven't sprouted. Once they sprout, move them to light.
Click to expand...
Is it a better idea to just run a heating pad at this point?
As for when they sprout how much Light would be enough and to much in watts?

Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
 
It's really all they need. Heat and damp soil and you're good. When i'm starting seed all I use is a heated propagation mat and a plastic hood. The lights not gonna hurt anything though other than your electric bill but it's not doing any good at this point. A little heat, moisture and patience is all it takes.
 
Red solo cup, I fill you up, lets have a party...singing while finishing this post
 
IMHO heat control is the most important thing when germinating seeds...after moisture of course...I do not water on a schedule...I use weight to determine when water is needed...the way I do this is fill the container with soil/seeds, pick it up and "feel" the weight, then I deep water....pick up the tray to find out how much heavier it is...based on the weight delta, Later when I pick up the container and feel the weight, I either water or don't water...
 
a "perfect" germination temperature is a CONSTANT 80F...and as was mentioned above, you want the soil moist, not wet...
 
another thing to watch for is that even if the top 1" of soil is bone dry, the bottom of the container could be pure wet mud...not good for peppers...of course planting depth is also important...in my experience 1/2 inch planting depth is deep enough for the seeds to shed their helmets...shallower in dry soil will prevent the sprouts from shedding their headgear....deeper planting depth will either take the seeds forever to break the surface....
 
just remember, my post is talking from my experience...you have to find what works for you...trial and error is the best teacher...
 
I wrote a germinating guide (how I do it) a long time ago on here and don't know whether it is still around or not...
 
I only use 72 cell seed starting trays and a really good seed starting soil that is very light weight and very clean....
 
I tried every method to start seeds it seems when I first started growing and have found the trays with the light weight starting soil worked best for me...
 
I will ask why you have them covered?
 
AJ
 
AlabamaJack said:
Red solo cup, I fill you up, lets have a party...singing while finishing this post
 
IMHO heat control is the most important thing when germinating seeds...after moisture of course...I do not water on a schedule...I use weight to determine when water is needed...the way I do this is fill the container with soil/seeds, pick it up and "feel" the weight, then I deep water....pick up the tray to find out how much heavier it is...based on the weight delta, Later when I pick up the container and feel the weight, I either water or don't water...
 
a "perfect" germination temperature is a CONSTANT 80F...and as was mentioned above, you want the soil moist, not wet...
 
another thing to watch for is that even if the top 1" of soil is bone dry, the bottom of the container could be pure wet mud...not good for peppers...of course planting depth is also important...in my experience 1/2 inch planting depth is deep enough for the seeds to shed their helmets...shallower in dry soil will prevent the sprouts from shedding their headgear....deeper planting depth will either take the seeds forever to break the surface....
 
just remember, my post is talking from my experience...you have to find what works for you...trial and error is the best teacher...
 
I wrote a germinating guide (how I do it) a long time ago on here and don't know whether it is still around or not...
 
I only use 72 cell seed starting trays and a really good seed starting soil that is very light weight and very clean....
 
I tried every method to start seeds it seems when I first started growing and have found the trays with the light weight starting soil worked best for me...
 
I will ask why you have them covered?
 
AJ
Click to expand...
Found this helpful. As I have several sprouts that failed to lose the 'helmet' . and they subsequently died. Next round I will pay better attention to my planting depths.



Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
 
I always germinate using wet paper towels in tupperwear elevated about 1-2" over a heat mat with a few pieces of scrap wood.
 
I tried germinating in soil one year and it was a crap shoot.
 
 
 
 
 
reddwood691 said:
 I have several sprouts that failed to lose the 'helmet' . and they subsequently died. Next round I will pay better attention to my planting depths.

 
Click to expand...
 
Yes, proper planting depth will go a long way to prevent "helmet head". But just so you know, helmet head doesn't have to be a death sentence if you act quickly. A couple drops of water to soften the seed casing, then clip around the "seam" of the seed with nail clippers to free the seedling. It is slow and careful work, best done with magnification and under good lighting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top