Starting Veggies Indoors for Plant killers....

[booker81]

I admit it, I kill houseplants with a fervor. I look at them and they die (expect the kind of messed up orchid I've kept alive at work).

However, this year, I wanted to try some seeds that I can't get in started plant form....thus, I need to try again to not kill green growing things in the house (other than mold).

I have a bit of extra play money, and I could afford to spend a couple bucks on a good plant starting system, but I'm not sure what to look for (the last one I had was homemade - nice, but my ex took it).

Could someone edumacate me on what to look for when I go shopping? I can hit up a variety of stores - Home Depot, nurseries, Meijer, Walmart....I just need something that will give the little dudes a chance.

I briefly throught about growing them at work since that appears to be a sort of safe zone for me and plants, but I doubt they would go for the numbers I am looking at.

Once I can get them outside, we're golden. I can grow most anything that can grow outside without help.

Help!!!

 

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

1. You don't need expensive seeds.
2. What is it you want: winter squash? Carrots? Tomatoes?
3. Jiffy peat pellets and their "greenhouse" tray work great.
4. Place a heating pad (on low) under the "greenhouse" after sowing seeds. Helps germination.
5. Start off with containers if you're doubtful about your soil. Get potting soil.
6. Don't over-water.Don't under-water.
7. Go to library and ask librarian where the gardening section is. Then sit and peruse. Take some home and read!!!

 

[booker81]

Oh, this time I'm just trying some funky fun things - ground cherries are the ones I'm excited about

I like heirloom seeds, and I've gardened a while (years) - with seeds that can be started outdoors here, or started plants.

The garden is only 30x40, but I'm hoping to double it this year. It's gotten pretty intense the last couple years, with what I pack into it. I can a fair amount, but with MI's cottage law that passed, I'd like to get more going to sell.

I just can't grow stuff indoors to save my life. At all. I get it to germinate, and then it dies. I've still not figured out what is going on - too hot, cold, wet or dry.

I want something that takes my black-indoor-thumb out of the picture - and I'd be happy to pay for it!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Different things can kill seedlings.

I think it can be hard to start things indoors, unless you have a grow light. They're often leggy and weak. Even just a florescent shop light hanging from the rafters in my basement worked for me. Window sills don't usually have enough light at my house.

The other thing you can do is start them just a little later indoors and let them go outside on most days, when it's warm enough. Like maybe only start them a month ahead, rather than 6-8 weeks ahead. When it's going to be too cold for them at night, just bring them in. That's worked for me, too. A frost is always bad for plants that aren't frost hardy. Some plants, like tomatoes and peppers can also be stunted by temperatures below 50 degrees, I think.

Another thing that can be a problem is rotting at the surface of the soil. Use a sterile planting medium and make sure they get air circulation. Don't leave a cover on too long or it's too humid for the plants.

Make sure they're getting enough nutrients, too. In the old days, potting soil had nutrients in it for the plants, like in nature. These days, most people just dump chemical fertilizer on their plants, indoors and out. So, some seed starting mixtures and even potting soils are like nutrient deserts. If you use something like that, you need to add fertilizer. Or pick something that has compost and other things mixed in, to feed the plants. There are also potting soils now that have a slow release fertilizer added in.

Whatever you choose to use as a starting medium, just make sure the plants are provided with nutrients. Don't over feed, though, thinking that more is better, as that can also kill them. It burns the roots and then they can't function to absorb what the plant needs

Tiny plants just starting out in tiny spaces are also sensitive to drying out. Make sure they don't die from being dried out. They also don't want to be constantly soaking wet. Plants with their roots totally submerged in water can die from drowning. Grow them is something that has drainage holes. Try for moist, most of the time. A little wetter when you water is okay, if they dry to moist.

Hopefully, something I mentioned sounded like what happened to your seedlings and you can be more successful. Just a good starting medium, water, added fertilizer if needed and light. You should have veggies!

 

[booker81]

I think I had the issue with rotting at the surface, and with wet roots. I got the wet roots the standard way - peat pots in a little bit of water, and the rot opposite - by misting too much instead of using the pots in water. With the covered type kits, I've had the issues with the condensation and then just being too messy and drowning which ever plants got the brunt of the lid lifting and water beading down.

I'm eyeballing the system mentioned in this article:
http://containergardening.about.com/od/reviews/gr/APS_Seed_Starter.htm

I also have enough well composted horse manure (years and years old), to fill a barn, and I can use that to mix over straight starting mix. I usually get a truckload of that and dump it in the garden to till in.

This is my garden a couple years ago

I didn't get any pics last year...

 

[Egghead_Jr]

It seems a no brainer system. The price is more than I'd do but just purchasing a tray, greenhouse lid and starter will run you $10 or more so not totally unreasonable at $19.99.

A previous poster mentioned floresent lighting. I hardily agree seedlings are much stouter and heartier with direct lighting. I put my 4' florecents a few inches over the trays, just high enough to evenly light the tray itself. Yupper, few more weeks here and I'll be starting seeds in the basement too.

 

[booker81]

I'm willing to pay for no brainer

I've done the peat kits, the greenhouse lid kits and I just murder the little things when they are about 1-2" tall.

I can get them to germinate no problem, but can't get past that

Totally plan on getting a lighting system -making or buying (probably making, since they are REALLY expensive, and well, the hubby can run wiring, so he could make a light system for me.)

I just want my ground cherries to make it

FWIW, I don't plant "hot weather" stuff here until Memorial weekend - or even after if the weather is being funky (a few years ago, we did have a hard frost on Memorial weekend). I've got time to kill a few off and bug everyone here before crunch time....

 

[Wifezilla]

Dirt: Use a seed starter mix and not outside dirt. You want sterile soil to start with.
Light: Yes, use some kind of light keeping your eye on LUMENS. You want as many as possible, but at least 2000. Anything sold as a "grow light " usually doesn't have nearly enough lumens. A shop light or a 150 watt equivalent CFL is a much better bet.
Air: Air circulation around the seedlings produces stronger stems and helps prevent dampening off. A fan in the room usually does it.

 

[math ace]

Quote:
I have had very little success with the peat kits. . . . I germinated more seeds outside of the peat pellets than in them

I have had my best success with seed trays that you put the dirt in. I use the dirt from my garden . . . Things tend to grow well once they make it to the garden !

I germinate mine in the house. This year I tried a light bulb (low watt - 40 watt) in a brooder heat lamp and clamped it a few feet about the plants. The light was serving as extra heat. A week after they germinate - - - I move them outside on my porch during the HOTTER day time and bring them in at night. After germination . . . you don't need the light bulb any more.

My seedling issues can be traced back to the planting medium used. . .

For the record - - - not all potting mixes are created equal. I have had some true horrid experiences with potting mixes. . .

SO, for those who recommend potting mixes - - -WHICH ones do you like the BEST ? ? ?


It does sound like the previous poster and I are miles apart on our advice - - -- BUT maybe we are not. . . When you use a 2000 lumen light - - - how far above the try are you? When I use a 40 watt light, I am only 2- 3 feet above the tray.

 

[flgardengirl]

I bought a couple little black wire shelves from Target. Added a few shoplights from walmart. I got a powerstrip plugin so I could flip the switch to turn them all off and on easier (5 dollars at walmart). Then you do not have to get 'grow lights'. You can get one cool and one warm florescent light and put them both into the shoplights instead of the growlights. Keep the lights one inch above the plants. They should come with chains so you can adjust them. You might want to get a plant heatmat. You can check ebay or Park seed has them as well. They really get stuff sprouted fast.

When I start seeds I use a seed starter mix or the little peat pellets with the greenhouse thingy. Its important to note to get the top of the greenhouse off once they sprout otherwise they rot. If you use seed starter mix from a bag you should sterilize it by putting it in the microwave in a large mixing bowl for 4 minutes (take it out of the bag lol) or you can put the soil in a pan and put in in the reg. oven and bake it on low for a half hour.

I start several very expensive seeds every year as well as ones I hybridize and also grow out stuff for other professional hybridizers so have learned to always play safe and sterlize the soil.

Now for regular potting soil, like for established plants or seedlings (already sprouted) I just use Jungle Growth from Lowes or even Miracle grow or whatever. I always add more perlite to the mix to make sure there is good air flow and ensure the soil doesn't become impacted in the pots. I vary my mix depending on what it is I am potting up though. Some things like more of a cactus type potting soil, some things like a more acidic soil etc. etc...Always make sure your pots have drainage holes in the bottom or they WILL die. I always throw those stupid saucers away or better yet you can use them for small succulents or shallow rooted small cactus just drill some holes in the bottom.
If they are house plants you can leave the saucers but take the plant to the sink or outside to water and let the water drain, then put it back on the saucer.
Most plants except for bog type plants ( and a few other exceptions) like water going by but not to sit in it or they get root rot. I could go on and on but will shut up now LOL!!