Re: [tomato] Seed starting advice - Thanks Chuck!
Orchid (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Tue, 2 Mar 1999 18:33:55 -0500
>>. If you want to use my system please
>>don't tamper with it and then wonder why you don't get good results
I wasn't trying to tamper Chuck, only learn. Thanks Again
Pete
-----Original Message-----
From: ChuckWyatt/Md/Z7 <ChuckWyatt@compuserve.com>
To: INTERNET:Tomato@GlobalGarden.com <Tomato@GlobalGarden.com>
Date: Tuesday, March 02, 1999 6:08 PM
Subject: [tomato] Seed starting advice - Thanks Chuck!
>
>
>>>1. Do you think the clear polycarbonate tube guards will affect seedling
>growth?<< THey will probably degrade the results by cutting down the light.
>
>>>2. Seed manuals and yourself mention that after true leaves appear, it is
>time to put them into bigger pots, such as 4" pots. Other than shelf
>space,
>is there any reason why seeds should be started in small containers and
>then
>transplanted to larger ones? Is there any reason why I couldn't start the
>seeds directly in the 4" pots and skip the transplanting altogether (how
>about jiffy pots & expandable disks? One pamphlet hinted at proper root
>growth as a reason, but then again, seeds started directly in the garden
>have all the room in the world to grow, so how does that affect their root
>development?< Note that I say bury the seedling all the way to the
>cotyledon when potting it up. This important as roots will grow on the
>stam. Also there is a small amount of fertilizer in Pro mix that is about
>exausted after two or three weeks. If you want to use my system please
>don't tamper with it and then wonder why you don't get good results.
>
>>>3. Is Pro-mix BX used for seed starting or repotting, and what is the
>brand
>name and a good national chain to find it?<< Both. The brand name is Pro
>Mix BX. Jiffy mix or ready mix are also satisfactory.
>
>>>4. Do you think coating the white inside of the shop light with
>reflective
>material (tin foil, reflective Mylar?) would increase light output and help
>seedlings? <<It might help some.
>
>>>5. Are some tomato seedlings more delicate than others? My Santa F1
>(grape
>tomatoes) seem to grow slower and be more leggy than others (with my new
>lighting system, I'm hopeing to prevent this)<< See Margaret's answer re a
>fan.
>
>Good gardening,
>Chuck Wyatt
>