![]() This can be a commercial houseplant food diluted to 50% weakness with extra water, or a fish and kelp emulsion organic food (note: this will smell “fishy” for some hours after use). When the seedlings have grown their first set of true leaves (which are the 3rd and 4th to emerge), they should be fed with a diluted liquid feed. Check often as soil mix dries out quickly in heated indoor conditions. Lightly water when the soil feels dry to the touch using water at room temperature. Keep the seedlings warm during the day hours (70º) and reduce the temperature to 60º at night. Turn the light on for up to 16 hours per day and then let the plants rest during 8 hours of darkness. A sunny windowsill may have to suffice, (remember to turn the seed trays every other day), but ideally a pair of low-cost fluorescent shop lights should be suspended on chains about 2 to 4 inches above the growing tops of the seedlings. Once the seedlings have emerged, light becomes extremely important. Seedling heating mats with thermostatic controls may be purchased. A warm spot in the house, such as on top of the refrigerator, will provide the heat. In addition to requiring a soil medium and water to grow, seeds also require warmth and light. Remove it immediately after the first seed germinates. Place the whole container in a clear plastic bag or under a sheet of plastic wrap. Having planted your seeds, take care not to overcrowd them very lightly press a little more soil mixture on top and lightly mist with water. Remember that in nature most seeds just lie on the surface of the ground before germinating. For instance, this means that small seeds like tomatoes should barely be a quarter of an inch below the surface of the soil. Very important note: most seeds should be buried to a depth of one or two times the diameter of the seed. You don’t want them to fall down to the bottom of the container and not germinate! With a stick or pencil, create a little trench in the soil or punch a small row of shallow holes. Fill your containers with the moistened mix and press it down into the container so that you have a firm bed for the seeds. Plastic bags or wrap will keep the moisture in your seed trays and aid in faster germination. Moisten all mixes before planting the seeds. Garden soil (dirt), in addition to being too heavy, contains many microbes, including some disease bacteria which may attack your young plants, causing early death. Potting soil used by itself is too heavy and packs down easily. ![]() Good soil-less mixes can be made from 50% peat moss with 50% vermiculite, or buy bags of potting soil and add 50% peat moss: that is 1 quart peat moss to 2 quarts potting soil. For “soil” buy bags of seed starting mixture (note to Organic Growers – may contain chemical fertilizers read the bag carefully) or make your own. Egg cartons are too shallow there should be about 3” of soil medium in the container to encourage proper growth of the young roots. Containers can be anything from yogurt cups to purchased flowerpots, but all should have drainage holes in the bottom so there is adequate drainage for your seedlings. You will need pots or other containers, soil medium, and plastic bags or wrap. Collect the necessary materials for starting seeds.
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