A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Thoughts/Expertise on my Seed Experiment

Hi, folks.

This year I decided to go the seed route. I bought two trays of peat pellets and several packages of seed from John Scheepers. I know I started late. I live in central Indiana - zone 6, I believe.

3 varieties of tomato seeds (Husky Gold, Sweet Cluster, Super Sweet 100 Cherry)
Salad Bush Cucumber
Orange Sun Bell pepper
Jalisco Jalepeno Chili pepper
Rosemary
Garden Thyme
Dukat Dill
Gigante d'Italia Parsley
Sweet Broadleaf Basil

I planted each in the peat pellet according to the instructions on the back of the seed package - most were 3 per pellet except the cucumber. I put the lid on top and have placed a grow light above the "greenhouses". I don't have a sunny window that is big enough to support the trays or that receives enough light. I have not watered them again and no fertilization. There is condensation on top of the clear lids.

Am I even on the right track? Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated. I've been doing research and reading, but nothing replaces personal guidance.

Note: These plants will eventually find their home in containers on my deck. I don't have a "real" garden yet :(

Thanks!

Thats a start..
I use lots of huge flower pots too.

b

going good... I do still mist the pods. The pods seam to dry out even with the condensation on the lids. I started mine the 3rd week of march and there all about 4'' tall now. I also tip them over when they reach the top of the container. This allows another 6 inches of growth and they dont mind. They just grow the towards the window.
GOOD LUCK!!!

when i use the peat pellets, i bottom water daily or every other day as soon as i have leaves.

I think that's really important. You should probably always make sure there's a little water in the tray. Some people have great results from peat pellets, but my one attempt to use them was a disaster. The plants dried out before I realized it and they were gonners. Now I just use "six pack" seed cells and potting mix.

UPDATE!

I have sprouted





Top: Cucumbers
Bottom (L-R) Thyme and Basil

I planted on 4/5/08. The cucumber and basil was scheduled to sprout between April 10 - 15. A day ahead! I was unsure about the thyme, but now I know.

I don't know if you can see on the cucumbers, but a few of them still remain about 1/2 intact seed. Is this normal?

I've been keeping the trays on my kitchen table with the grow light on for 12-16 hours/day. I rotate the trays to try and keep the light even among all of them.

I haven't watered yet, but after reading all your advice, I will do that now that I have greenery.

That is great ..
Now remember if they are in direct sun, you better check them at least 3 times a day.. The sun really drys the little things out fast..

Hope your successful, nice to see another gardner.

I've grown seedlings in Jiffy pellets an d about half were gonners.

How come?

Damping off & hot weather.

It is interesting you mention this. There has been a peat pellet I've been curiously watching the past few days. It is in the dill row. A few of the others have sprouted, but this one seems to have an almost mossy surface to the pellet (circled in pink). I've been keeping the clear lids on since I sowed my seeds. I mist them everyday and there has been condensation collecting on the lid. Should I remove the pellet? Damping off?

When the seeds get a mossy surface, get rid of it.. They will not germinate.

That is the non germinating sign.
SOme are bad seed that does it .