Transcript Seed Starting Seminar for Beginners

A Harris Seeds Presentation
Dick Chamberlin
Mark Willis
Mark Greene
President
Vegetable
Product Manager
Horticulturist &
Hard Goods Manager
 This program is
designed for home
gardeners with little
to no knowledge of
starting seeds
indoors. It deals
with very practical
and easy to follow
guidelines for seed
starting.
Location
 Day and night time
temperature considerations
 Use area with least amount
of temperature fluctuation
 Pick a location that’s okay to
get a little messy
 Good airflow
 Provides even growth and stockier seedlings
 Different light bulbs provide different light wavelengths
 High spectrum light has best wavelength for best plant
response
 Fluorescent lights are also ok, but wavelength is not as
good as high spectrum
 Lights should be
adjustable to raise
and lower according
to seedling height
 Determine size of
light stand by your
location and
number of plants
you’ll be growing
 Lowers quality of
seedlings
 Seedlings apt to
stretch towards the
light in one
direction, instead of
upwards
 Potential for
burning tender first
leaves of seedlings
 Flowers
 Some require light to germinate and should be sown on top of soil
 Many can be covered lightly to allow some light in
 Some require dark and should be covered completely
 Vegetables
 Most can be covered lightly to allow some light in
 Lettuce – some lots require light so need to be sown on top of soil. Be
sure to read package
 Degree ranges for best germination
 Soil temperature is usually approx. 5° F less than air temperature
 Bottom heat is best
 Ensures consistent, uniform heat to the soil
 Heat mats & cables
 Disease free – seedlings are in a most vulnerable state
 Plug Trays – can start a lot of seedlings in a small area
 Jiffy Products – little to no transplant shock
 Good drainage prevents disease and root rot issues
 Wash down old
trays and pots
thoroughly
 Warm soapy
solution
 1:10 chlorine/water
solution
 Singulates seed, 1 seedling per cell
 Keeps uniform soil temperature when using bottom heat
 Large # of plants in a small area - Make sure you have
enough growing space to grow on transplants
 Domes create nice
microenvironment
for tender seedlings
 Helps retain
moisture and
uniform
temperatures
 Remove domes once
seedlings are well
established
 Use sterile mix to
prevent soil borne
pathogens
 Do not use potting mix –
may contain fertilizers
detrimental to
germinating seeds
 Seed starting mix is
lighter than potting soil
and less likely to
compact
 Promotes good root
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growth
Little to no transplant
shock
Available in different
sizes
No need for further
transplanting
Small amount of
nutrients suitable for
tender seedlings
 Misting provides light,
even moisture for the
tender seedlings
 Watering from bottom
allows roots to soak up
moisture
 Can promote stronger
root growth
 Monitors soil temperature for even and proper
germination and seedling growth
 Start small
 Start with easy to
germinate and grow
species such as:
tomatoes, peppers,
squash, zinnias,
marigolds and
sunflowers.
 Helps keep track of
different varieties grown
 Plastic or wooden labels
 Use permanent marker
so writing won’t smudge
or wash off
 Helps you identify what
you liked and didn’t like
 Seed packet
 Harris Seeds Home Gardening Guide
 Easy and effective way to
maintain uniform heat
 Space cables evenly and
tape to inside of tray
 Can be used
w/thermostat or soil
thermometer
 Internal regulator shuts
off cable before
overheating
 Thermostatically
controlled
 Can adjust the
temperatures based
on what varieties
you’re growing
 Gradually add warm
water until sufficiently
moist
 Do not over-saturate
 Testing for too much
water by squeezing a
handful of soil
 Water shouldn’t run
out
 Soil should be
crumbly, not a solid
clump
 Soak pellets in warm water
 Jiffy pellets will expand at different heights depending on the size
 Biodegradable netting holds peat in place
 Helps reduce transplant shock
 No need to transplant up to larger sizes before setting outdoors
 Use recommended soil temperatures on seed packet for best
germination
 Use soil thermometer to monitor soil temperature
 Use a ¼” thick device of any kind and compress and make
shallow furrows in the soil, about 1” apart.
 Drop seeds into the furrow ½” apart and cover with ¼” of
vermiculite or additional soil, or leave uncovered (see
directions on packet).
 Soak in water until
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expanded
Poke a hole in the top
w/pencil or dowel
Place seed(s) in hole
Cover w/vermiculite
(unless seed needs light
to germinate)
Can sow 2 or more
seeds, then thin out
weaker seedlings once
established
 Try to end up with 1
healthy seedling per
pellet
 Gently remove
additional seedlings and
plant into other Jiffy
pellets or pots, or
 Snip unwanted
seedling(s) at base of
stem
 Keep germinating
seedlings moderately
moist
 Using domes helps
maintain moisture
 Use misting watering
mechanism, don’t over
saturate
 Maintain uniform
moisture levels
 For those species that
require light for
germination, leave on
eight to ten hours per
day
 Auto timers are easy
and convenient for
controlling light
 Seed starting trays should be positioned just below
your light source, only a few inches away to prevent
stretching
 Lights should be adjustable to raise and lower
according to seedling height
 Once your seedlings have germinated, make sure there
is ample light
 Some flowers require up to 14 hours of light; this
information can be found in our free cultural guide
 Damp off occurs when
the seedling is exposed
to fungus living in the
soil that causes the
seedling to wilt
 Avoid oversaturated
soil
 Air flow is important
to maintain healthy
seedlings, minimizing
problems with
damping off
 Touch the soil with your
finger to test for moisture
 Too dry soil causes
crusting, preventing
seedlings from emerging
 Soil conditions should be
slightly moist but not wet
 Wet soil leads to disease
problems
 Use a spray
container that
emits a fine spray
 You can also water
from the bottom
by placing your
seed tray in a few
inches of water
and let the water
wick up into the
soil
 Do not fertilize too often or
too early
 Fertilize your seedlings
once they have started to
put on true leaves
 Follow the mixing and
frequency of fertilizing
instructions – do not over
fertilize
 An all-in-one medium
 Sow
 Grow
 Transplant
 Seed packets inform you
of weeks from sow to
transplant
 A “green” product –
biodegradable peat and
netting
 Gently remove from
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seedling tray
Fill pot or container with
moist soil
Create hole in soil with
finger or dowel
Gently place seedling in
hole, cover lightly with soil
Lightly water in seedling
Be sure to wash hands
prior to transplanting
Jiffy pots are biodegradable
– can be planted directly
into garden
 Hardening off – helps
plants to acclimate to less
than ideal conditions prior
to transplant and overcome
transplant shock
 To prevent transplant
shock, take the seedlings
outside and place on
porch, patio or in a cold
frame for a few hours each
day
Thank you for joining us!
If you have any questions or
feedback, please feel free
to email us at:
[email protected]