Indoor Seedling Assistance
I'm a dolt. For the last two years I have been doing something wrong as once my indoor seedlings come up they almost all die at the same time. Last year I thought I over watered and that was the problem ... so this year I was very careful in watering once the seedlings emerged. All of my Swiss Chard came up and over the last three days they just fell over and withered. I have spritzed them with a water bottle in the morning and again in the evening. I am using a 140W grow lamp with the closest plant about 18" away and can't believe they are wilting from the heat yet here I am again with dying plants.
Please help as there is still time before I plant outside.
Thanks
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So frustrating... (post #16451, reply #1 of 5)
I, too, had all kinds of issues when I tried for years to sow seeds indoors. while I can not offer an fix to your current problem, I can share that soemthing called "wintersowing" has totally changed my success with seeds!!! Check out the discussion forum on the GardenWeb site for lots of support for growing seeds in a much easier. less frustrating way!
What you are having a problem (post #16451, reply #2 of 5)
What you are having a problem with is something called damping off disease, a common problem with indoor seed starting. For starters, what are you using for a planting mix? If you are using regular potting soil or soil from outdoors, there is your problem. You can treat your soil in various ways, but the easiest thing to do is purchase "seed starting mix" available at most garden sections of the big box stores. Also google 'damping off disease' and you will likely find all sorts of articles about the problem and what to do about it. Good luck.
Spring seedling problems (post #16451, reply #3 of 5)
I started very early this year, planting my peas outdoors eagerly. Then the weather got snowy again, and the soil was very moist. Some pea seeds have emerged with the tiny first sprouts, and are now sitting and waiting for warmer weather, or something. The temperatures have been getting higher by the day though, so I am still waiting to see more germination, before I start all over again. I almost hate peas because they are so fussy until they get going.
On the other hand my greenhouse salad mix is still doing fine, and held up throughout the winter. A trip to Ace Hardware got me to pick up a nice eggplant and several broccoli and brussels sprouts. As I get older and can't squat so long, I prefer well started plants for easier living!
Success with seed starting (post #16451, reply #4 of 5)
I've been using the Jiffy heatated greenhouse system for over seven years now and love it. I have an area in my basemment with lights on chains so I can adjust the light as they grow. Many others recommend using fans for air circulation which might help prevent the damping off. One year I had ten flats going with great germination and plant development. This year just one flat so far. I purchased the greenhouse kit at Lowes and the refill flats have been $5.50 at Walmart this year.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000KL76S8/gardensnob-20
Flee~~Zone 5 Mid-Michigan
Swiss chard problem (post #16451, reply #5 of 5)
Swiss chard likes cool conditions. I suspect they got too warm under lights and that caused the flop. They are touchy babies. Raising up the grow lights would help, cools the soil. As soon as chard has 3-4 sturdy true leaves it can survive outdoors in a light shady spot. As the plants get more robust they can be transplanted outdoors as the weather warms and there is no longer any frost in the early morning. Once you get chard started it will survive some winter weather, try letting a group winter over some time. You may never again have to re-plant, and they are sturdy growers and good early spring eating.