Seed Starting Seminar

8/7/2019 Seed Starting Seminar

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y This program isdesigned for homegardeners with little

to no knowledge ofstarting seedsindoors. It deals

with very practical

and easy to followguidelines for seedstarting.


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Locationy Day and night time

temperature considerationsy Use area with least amount

of temperature fluctuation

y Pick a location thats okay to

get a little messyy Good airflow


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y Provides even growth and stockier seedlings


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y Different light bulbs provide different light wavelengthsy High spectrum light has best wavelength for best plant

response

y Fluorescent lights are also ok, but wavelength is not as

good as high spectrum


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y Lights should beadjustable to raiseand lower according

to seedling height

y Determine size oflight stand by your

location andnumber of plants

youll be growing


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y Lowers quality ofseedlings

y Seedlings apt tostretch towards thelight in onedirection, instead ofupwards

y Potential forburning tender firstleaves of seedlings


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y Flowersy Some require light to germinate and should be sown on top of soil

y

Many can be covered lightly to allow some light iny Some require dark and should be covered completely

y Vegetablesy Most can be covered lightly to allow some light iny Lettuce some lots require light so need to be sown on top of soil. Be

sure to read package


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y Degree ranges for best germinationy Soil temperature is usually approx. 5 F less than air temperature

y Bottom heat is besty Ensures consistent, uniform heat to the soil

y Heat mats & cables


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y Disease free seedlings are in a most vulnerable statey Plug Trays can start a lot of seedlings in a small area

y Jiffy Products little to no transplant shock

y Good drainage prevents disease and root rot issues


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y Wash down oldtrays and potsthoroughly

y Warm soapysolution

y 1:10 chlorine/watersolution


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y Singulates seed, 1 seedling per cell

y Keeps uniform soil temperature when using bottom heat

y Large # of plants in a small area - Make sure you haveenough growing space to grow on transplants


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y Domes create nicemicroenvironmentfor tender seedlings

y

Helps retainmoisture anduniformtemperatures

y

Remove domes onceseedlings are wellestablished


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y Use sterile mix toprevent soil bornepathogens

y

Do not use potting mix may contain fertilizersdetrimental togerminating seeds

y

Seed starting mix islighter than potting soiland less likely tocompact


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y Promotes good rootgrowth

y Little to no transplant

shocky Available in different

sizes

y No need for further

transplantingy Small amount of

nutrients suitable fortender seedlings


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y Misting provides light,even moisture for thetender seedlings

y Watering from bottom

allows roots to soak upmoisture

y Can promote strongerroot growth


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y Monitors soil temperature for even and propergermination and seedling growth


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y Start small

y Start with easy togerminate and grow

species such as:tomatoes, peppers,squash, zinnias,marigolds and

sunflowers.


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y Helps keep track ofdifferent varieties grown

y Plastic or wooden labels

y

Use permanent markerso writing wont smudgeor wash off

y Helps you identify what

you liked and didnt like


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y Seed packet

y Harris Seeds Home Gardening Guide


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y Easy and effective way tomaintain uniform heat

y Space cables evenly andtape to inside of tray

y Can be usedw/thermostat or soilthermometer

y Internal regulator shuts

off cable beforeoverheating


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y Thermostaticallycontrolled

y Can adjust thetemperatures basedon what varieties

youre growing


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y Gradually add warmwater until sufficientlymoist

y

Do not over-saturatey Testing for too much

water by squeezing ahandful of soil

y Water shouldnt runout

y Soil should becrumbly, not a solid

clump


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y Soak pellets in warm watery Jiffy pellets will expand at different heights depending on the size

y Biodegradable netting holds peat in place

y Helps reduce transplant shock

y No need to transplant up to larger sizes before setting outdoors


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y Use recommended soil temperatures on seed packet for bestgermination

y Use soil thermometer to monitor soil temperature


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y Use a thick device of any kind and compress and makeshallow furrows in the soil, about 1 apart.

y Drop seeds into the furrow apart and cover with ofvermiculite or additional soil, or leave uncovered (see

directions on packet).


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y

Soak in water untilexpanded

y Poke a hole in the topw/pencil or dowel

y

Place seed(s) in holey Cover w/vermiculite

(unless seed needs lightto germinate)

y Can sow 2 or moreseeds, then thin outweaker seedlings onceestablished


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y Try to end up with 1healthy seedling perpellet

y Gently remove

additional seedlings andplant into other Jiffypellets or pots, or

y Snip unwanted

seedling(s) at base ofstem


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y For those species thatrequire light for

germination, leave oneight to ten hours perday

y Auto timers are easy

and convenient forcontrolling light


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y Seed starting trays should be positioned just belowyour light source, only a few inches away to preventstretching

y Lights should be adjustable to raise and loweraccording to seedling height


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y Once your seedlings have germinated, make sure thereis ample light

y Some flowers require up to 14 hours of light; this

information can be found in our free cultural guide


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y Damp off occurs whenthe seedling is exposedto fungus living in thesoil that causes theseedling to wilt

y Avoid oversaturatedsoil

y Air flow is importantto maintain healthyseedlings, minimizingproblems withdamping off


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y Touch the soil with yourfinger to test for moisture

y Too dry soil causes

crusting, preventingseedlings from emerging

y Soil conditions should beslightly moist but not wet

y

Wet soil leads to diseaseproblems


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y Do not fertilize too often ortoo early

y Fertilize your seedlingsonce they have started toput on true leaves

y Follow the mixing andfrequency of fertilizinginstructions do not overfertilize


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y An all-in-one mediumy Sow

y Grow

y Transplant

y Seed packets inform youof weeks from sow totransplant

y A green product biodegradable peat andnetting


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y Gently remove fromseedling tray

y Fill pot or container withmoist soil

y Create hole in soil withfinger or dowel

y Gently place seedling inhole, cover lightly with soil

y Lightly water in seedling

y Be sure to wash handsprior to transplanting

y Jiffy pots are biodegradable can be planted directlyinto garden


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y Hardening off helpsplants to acclimate to lessthan ideal conditions prior

to transplant and overcometransplant shock

y To prevent transplantshock, take the seedlingsoutside and place on

porch, patio or in a coldframe for a few hours eachday


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Thank you for joining us!

If you have any questions orfeedback, please feel free

to email us at:

[email protected]

Documents

Seed Starting Seminar