Always Something To Do

What I love about seed starting is that there is always something to fuss over and tinker with. And what is even better is that there is no urgency with any of these tasks.  There is always some flexibility as to when they need to be done, give or take a few days and sometimes a few weeks. The tasks can be squeezed in here or there, dedicating 15 minutes or up to a couple of hours depending on whatever else is on the day's agend. Today I woke up at 6:00 am eager to fit in two hours of transplanting seedlings and sowing more flower seeds.

Today's projects:

• Transplanted geraniums from 4-packs to their own 3" pots. I will give them a day's reprieve from growlights to adjust to the transplant. 

• Transplanted Sweet Williams to twenty-five 2" pots; will not put under lights today to allow recovery from the transplant.  The remaining Sweet William seedlings (7) have been potted in two 3" pots to grow on as extras. 

• It was also time to give the rosemary seedlings more "leg room", splitting up the seedlings into their own cells. 

• Eight seedlings from the pansy container sown on February 3 were ready to be transplanted into two 4-packs.  I thought I would l leave the remaining seedlings in the 4"x8" container for a few more weeks but instead transplanted them into a 6-pack.  Similarly, I won't put the pansies back under growlights until tomorrow.

• I have had difficulty in past years germinating lavender seeds.  This year I ran an experiment to see which of three methods (traditional, pre-chilling, pressing seeds into mix) would yield the greatest number of seedlings. As of this date, the most effective was the traditional planting of seeds sown 1/4" deep.  I transplanted those eight seedlings from container #1 and one seedling from container #2 into a 3" pot, leaving the remaining seedlings to grow on.  The winner will be declared in a few weeks. 

• The delphiniums looks a bit ill with blotchy leaves that are slightly yellowing.  I hesitate to transplant them in this condition but decided a bit of "tough love" was in order.  I moved the six largest seedlings to their own 3" pots and the remaining seedlings will carry on in the original container for a few more weeks. 

The following seeds were sowed today:

Coleus (Rainbow Mix): Livingston Seeds, 2014.  Planted seeds 1/4" deep in one 4"x8" container. Expected germination time, 7-14 days.  Characteristics: annual, shade, 12-18" tall, blooms in summer. Used as a backdrop or centerpiece in pots or in a mass.  Shades of kelly green, royal burgundy and lemon yellow.  For bushier growth, pinch center stem when plants are 4" to 6" tall.
See: http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/flower-seed/coleus/coleus-rainbow-mix.html

Impatiens (Flavours Hybrid Mix): Burpee, 2015. Sowed seeds in 4"x8" container shallowly. Expected germination date: 18-28 days. Days to maturity, 55-60.  Characteristics: annual, large 2" flowers, white, red, pink, lavender, 8" tall. Space 10" apart.
See: http://www.almanac.com/plant/impatiens

Lupines (Russell's Prize Mix, Lupinus polyphyllus): Livingston Seeds, 2014. Expected germination time, 25-30 days. I did not soak the seeds overnight as recommended on the packet. Planted seeds 1/4" deep in one 4"x8" container. Characteristics: Perennial, sun, 2' to 4' tall, tall stalks bearing large flowers in shades of pink, yellow, rose, red and blue, use as cut flowers or in garden bed, low maintenance, mulch summer and winter.
See: http://www.burpee.com/perennials/lupine/lupine-russell-hybrid-mixed-colors-prod000077.html

Potentilla (Trailing Cinquefoil, tonguei): Harvested, 2014. The seeds were originally received through a seed swap, 2009.  Planted seeds 1/8" deep in one 4"x8" container. Not 100% sure of variety, but most resembles a tonguei by Internet search.  One of my favorite perennial flowers. Over the past five years there has been a decline in the number of plants in the perennial bed.  I hope to add dozen or so more plants to the garden. Characteristics:  perennial, full sun, hybrid, low clump-forming for edging or massing as ground cover. trailing stems, 4-6" tall, small, single apricot-yellow buttercup flowers, bright-red eye, blooms all summer, pinch back spent blooms.
See: http://www.perennials.com/plants/potentilla-tonguei.html

Postscript #1 - Salvia, Scarlett has germinated (seeds sowed February 25, 7 days).
Postscript #2 - I am stratifying Bouncing Bet/Saponaria officinalis seeds for one week in the refrigerator. They will be ready to sow on or after March 11.

Time to Do Some Thinning

The Sweet William container received a second thinning this morning; the seedling count is now down to thirty-five.  Again, the goal is to transplant twenty-five seedlings into the perennial bed.  You may not notice the difference between the "before" and "after" photos, but I did remove about twenty seedlings.

The BEFORE

The AFTER

I've also thinned rosemary seedlings.  It's easier to see the difference between these "before" and "after" shots. I want to add four more rosemary plants to the herb garden.  I might need six if last year's plants don't survive this winter.  Even if this is the case, I will still have plenty to share!

The BEFORE

The AFTER

To Miracle Grow or Not Miracle Grow

The Sweet William seedlings are now two weeks old, 1/2"-3/4" tall, and although they do not have their second set of true leaves, I decided to give them a very dilute feed of Miracle Grow fertilizer. (This is the second time I've used Miracle Grow this growing season; five days ago I fed the geraniums.) Even though I won't use Miracle Grow in the hoop house and other outdoor garden beds, I've conceded to its indoor use. My seed starting mix contains a very small nutrient component and it is the easiest way for me to feed the large number of seedlings I grow under lights.

Long-term use of synthetic fertilizers, such as Miracle Grow, in the garden is detrimental to the health of soil. The accumulation of ammonium phosphates over time destroys the organisms in the soil which are vital to a healthy garden. Instead, I fertilize with loads of compost and use other natural sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In addition, I don't apply insecticides; rather I cover crops with fleece and netting, pick off insects by hand, and spray off insects with soap and water. In regards to herbicides, I hand pull weeds, smother weeds with thick layers of mulch and, on rare occasion, use a white vinegar solution.

We should "feed the soil, not the plants" and "work with nature."

Postscript #1 - Today the following seeds have germinated:

• Pansy, Swiss Giants (sowed February 16, ten days)
• Rossa di Milano onions (sowed February 19, seven days).
• Lobelia, Crystal Palace (sowed February 17, nine days)
• Delphinium (pulled out of refrigerator February 17, nine days)
• Verbena (7 more)
• White Hibiscus (1 more)

Two-Week Checkup

Time for a two-week checkup!

I'm happy to report that many more geraniums, delphiniums, pansies, lavender, rosemary and Sweet William seedlings have emerged! Also four varieties of onions show signs of germination: Walla Walla, Copra, Ringmaster and Toyko Long White Bunching. These seedlings germinated early, in six days (maybe 5 since I didn't look closely yesterday), and now they join other containers on the kitchen table under growlights.

Nineteen geraniums - almost ready to separate the seedlings into their own cells.

Nine delphiniums slowing making their way into this world.

Eight pansies looking pretty!

Surprised myself by how many rosemary seedlings emerged - 27!

Sweet William seedlings need to be thinned soon, over 100 and counting!

Wet wipe containers come in handy!  Recycle and reuse, I say!

Rosemary Was Quick to Follow

Five rosemary seedlings made their appearance today.  I planted a total of 64 pelletized seeds, eight in each cell. I am curious when others will appear given that rosemary seeds have a low germination rate. I've decided to put both 4-packs under lights to get those early seedlings off to a good start.

Another two lavender seedlings also made a showing today in the container in which the seeds were covered. The "uncovered" container still has just one seedling.  I decided to move it from the bay window and put both lavender containers under growlights.

And we mustn't forget to mention that one geranium seedling made its debut today.  It's taking its time, however, unfurling its head ever so slowly.

The sweet potato on the right is really producing roots and has one sprout.  The other one, however, has many short roots but no sprouts to boast about.

Let the Seeding Begin!

I started seeds today knowing perfectly well that I am very early even for these varieties:

Delphiniums (Pacific Giant, Delphinium elatum): Seeds purchased from Livingston Seeds. Planted these seeds 14 weeks before last frost; 10-12 weeks were recommended.  Seeds were chilled in the refrigerator for a week prior to being sown.  Sowed two 4"x8" containers, approximately 50-55 seeds in each one, 1/4 inch deep (darkness required).  As part of an experiment to determine if continued chilling assists in germination, one container was placed in the refrigerator for two weeks while the other was not. Expected germination time: 25-30 days. Characteristics: perennial, full sun, 4-5' tall (back border), blooms in summer, pastel pink, lavender, white and blue spires, staking may be needed, thought to be difficult to sprout. See http://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/Flower-Seed/Delphinium-Seed/Delphinium-Pacific-Giants-Mixed.html#.VNDdv9X3-iw.

Pansy (Swiss Giant Mix, Viola wittrocklana): Seeds purchased from Livingston Seeds. Planted pelletized seeds 14 weeks before last frost; 10-12 weeks were recommended.  Sowed one 4"x8" container, approximately 80 seeds, 1/4 inch deep (darkness required).  Expected germination time: 3-9 days since pelleted, most generally 14-28 days. Characteristics: annual, full sun, 6-8" tall (front border), blooms in spring, rainbow of colors, fragrant, large blooms, compact plants for use in containers. See http://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/Flower-Seed/Summer-Flowering/Pansy-Swiss-Giants-Mixed_2.html#.VNDqH9X3-iw.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Seeds purchased from Livingston Seeds. Planted pelletized seeds 14 weeks before last frost; 8 weeks was recommended.  I will likely have to "pot up" before planting out in the garden in mid May. Sowed two 4-packs, approximately 8 seeds each cell, planted 1/4" deep (darkness required). Expected germination time: 5-7 days since pelletized; most generally 14-21 days. Characteristics: tender perennial, evergreen shrub, full sun, plant in containers or in herb garden, fussy to sprout. See http://www.johnnyseeds.com/p-8172-rosemary.aspx.

Lavender (Vera, Lavandula vera ):  Livingston Seeds. Planted seeds 14 weeks before last frost; 6-8 weeks were recommended.  Sowed three 4"x8" containers, approximately 45 seeds each.  The seeds in one container were pressed into the seed mix (surface sown, light required).  The seeds of the second container were covered 1/4" with seed mix as suggested on the packet.  A third container was placed in the refrigerator for a few weeks; a few sources had recommended chilling. Expected germination time: 14-21 days or up to a month. Characteristics: perennial, full sun to partial shade, 18-24" (mid-border), bushy/hardy variety. See http://www.everwilde.com/store/Organic-Vera-Lavender-Herb-Seeds.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiAgMKmBRDMjo_F9OfUubABEiQAp8Ky140ONtaXwjOF7Z5Q4JO-xuLxfkt1K9H14SOMgRCkLpcaAluO8P8HAQ.

TIP OF THE DAY!!  Collect clean water as you sow seeds.  Simply place a basin under the faucet as you rinse your hands, tools, trays, etc. This water may be used to wet potting mix or water seedlings.

Postscript #1 -  Small white roots in both sweet potatoes have emerged.