Re: [CH] V7 #298 When to start seedlings?
Cameron Begg (begg.4@osu.edu)
Wed, 07 Feb 2001 08:51:21 -0500
Hi CH's,
A few people seem concerned with this, so here are my thoughts from N. America.
1 - You should not start seeds more than 6 weeks prior to the last
probable day for frost in your area if you plan to plant them
outside. Even then, the plants will not perform well until the soil
has warmed up.
2 - If you are going to keep them in pots, at least until the soil is
warmed, you might think of starting the seeds a couple of weeks
earlier and shuttling them in and outside when the weather permits.
3 - Sufficient indoor lighting is a consideration. The closer you can
get them to fluorescent light tubes for 12h per day the better. I use
a light fitting that takes four 4' tubes. It is raised on wood blocks
as the plants grow and the starter trays slide in and out for
watering. A mixture of warm white and cool white tubes is as good as
expensive "Growlux" tubes.
4 - Use only water and a sterile seed starting mixture. Just cover
the seeds and water with a mister at first. Germination is much
improved and hastened by heating (pads) to up to 90degF. Do not apply
fertiliser of any type until the plants have at least one pair of
true leaves. (Not the cotyledons or "seed leaves" that come through
first.) Tomato fertilizer is fine for chiles. Use at the maximum
dilution in place of straight water.
5 - Plants need to be blown around a bit to develop strong stems. If
you have your lights on a timer, consider hooking a fan in there too
to create a gentle breeze. Remember that this will greatly increase
water use.
6 - Other stuff I've forgotten, but I'm sure the other CH's will
offer plenty of advice. Also check out the archives:
Back issues of the Digest are available at:
http://chileheads.netimages.com/archives.html
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Regards, Cameron.