When the stems of young seedlings become withered and topple over, they have probably been killed by a soil-borne fungus called "damping off." This fungus is difficult to eradicate once it is present in the soil, but you can avoid it by using a sterile, soilless growing medium, and by providing good air circulation. My seedlings were growing well until all of a sudden they toppled over at the base. The phosphorus content (the middle number on the fertilizer analysis) should be at least 3. If you have been using half-strength fertilizer for the first three to four weeks of the seedling's life, it may be time to increase the fertilizer to full strength. Purple leaves are an indication that the plant is not receiving enough phosphorus. The leaves on my tomatoes are starting to look purple along the veins and on the underside of the leaves. Try again and be sure to provide consistent moisture. If the seeds were old, they may no longer be viable. If the soil was too dry, the seeds may not have germinated or may have dried up before their roots could take hold. If it is swollen and soft, the seed has rotted and you will need to start over. If the soil was cold and excessively wet, the seeds may have rotted. Check the seed packet to determine if all the requirements for temperature and light were met. There are a number of factors that affect seed germination. Frequently Asked Seed Starting Questions Why did only a few of my seeds germinate? A cold frame is a great place to harden off plants. Gradually, over the course of a week or 10 days, expose them to more and more sunshine and wind. If the sun heats up, be sure to check on their water levels - seed starting cells are shallow and will dry up quickly. About a week before you plan to set the seedlings into the garden, place them in a protected spot outdoors (partly shaded, out of the wind) for a few hours, bringing them in at night. You've been coddling these seedlings for weeks, so they need a gradual transition to the great outdoors. It's not a good idea to move your seedlings directly from the protected environment of your home into the garden. Feed the seedlings regularly with an organic, liquid fertilizer, mixed at the rate recommended on the package. But after seedlings get their second set of leaves ("true leaves") they begin to rely on their environment for nutrients. Seeds contain all the energy and nutrients they need to germinate and get going. Containers with holes on the bottom can be set down in a tray and water can be added to the tray - "bottom watering" is an effective way to keep newly formed roots moist without getting upper leaves wet and risking rot. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. WateringĪs the seedlings grow, use a mister or a small watering can to keep the soil moist but not soggy. When you see the first signs of green, remove the cover. This helps keep the seeds moist before they germinate. To speed germination, cover the pots with plastic wrap or a humidity dome that fits over the seed-starting tray. Moisten the newly planted seeds with a mister or a small watering can. After you've dropped a seed in each divot, you can go back and cover the seeds. It's helpful to make a couple divots in each pot to accommodate the seeds. If both seeds germinate, snip one and let the other grow (thin). For insurance, you can plant two seeds per cell (or pot). Other seeds may need to be buried under 1/8- 1 inch of soil. Some seeds require light for germination and should be sprinkled on the soil surface. PlantingĬheck the seed packet to see how deep you should plant your seeds.
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