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How to keep seeds moist

guttiesgutties Posts: 224
in Plants
Apologies for this really boring, but practical question.

I have just sowed some seeds and I gave the compost a good soaking from the bottom after sowing.
I have brought the seeds into the house so they get the necessary heat to germinate.  However, I'm not really sure how to ensure the seeds retain the necessary level of moisture over the next few weeks.

Should I mist them with a fine spray every couple of days or give them a good soaking again in a week's time?
I have sowed cosmos, penstemon, helenium, zinnia, rudbeckia and Nicotiana.

Any advice appreciated.

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Posts

  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Are they covered? I find seeds do best in a covered tray as the moist air is kept inside reducing the danger of drying out. I mist them as soon as the compost looks dry, but only water from the bottom maybe once or twice a week until they germinate.  Then the lid comes off during the day and they are base watered every other day, with the odd misting on hot days.  Hope this helps.🙂
  • guttiesgutties Posts: 224
    edited March 2019
    No I don't have lids, so they are uncovered.  Hopefully the lack of covers aren't likely to cause me difficulties?

    Based on what you have said I will probably mist every couple of days and then base water again next weekend. 

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    If you have sowed in pots, you can cover the pot with a plastic bag with an elastic band holding it in place, similarly put a seed tray in a large plastic bag and tuck it all around it. If you have given them a good soak to start with, there should be enough moisture in there until you see the first leaves peeking out. Then you can take the plastic bags off. Better to water from the bottom then, to avoid damping off. Little seedlings can die off with too much water from misting, you want the compost just moist, not wet.
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  • guttiesgutties Posts: 224
    So, if they were covered, should it be the case that no further moisture would be needed for the next couple of weeks (even if they are indoors where it's warm)?
    I hadn't realised that!
  • guttiesgutties Posts: 224
    They are in a seed tray, so can I assume that using cling film across the top of the tray would do the same job as a tray cover, or would that not be advised?
  • HazybHazyb Posts: 336
    Yes, covering them conserves moisture.

    Some of them  might germinate in a couple of days, especially Zinnia. Most of my seeds have germinated in less than 7 days.
  • SlumSlum Posts: 385
    Are they above a radiator? How warm is the room? Are they getting lots of direct sunlight? What growing medium are you using? These will all impact on how often they’ll need additional water. As well as looking at and touching the surface, pick the seed trays up so you can feel the weight. These tests will tell you if they need water. 
  • guttiesgutties Posts: 224
    Thanks @Slum, to answer your specific questions I have them above a radiator on the window sill, so I guess it'll be around 21 degrees or so.  They are sowed in Westland seed compost and have either been covered by a light dusting of seed compost or vermiculite (depending on what the instructions said).
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think that you have sown some of those seeds too early.
    Zinnia for example can't go out until May / June time and you may find it difficult to keep them growing well inside, until then.
    I do not sow Zinnia until the end of April.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • guttiesgutties Posts: 224
    @Punkdoc, this is my first time sowing seeds (only got interested in gardening last year) so I expect to make plenty of mistakes!  In saying that I did follow the instructions from Chiltern on the timing as for the Zinnia it said:

    When to Sow (indoors): March, April

    But I did guess that I may be on the early side so I only sowed about half of each my seeds so I can have another go in a month's time if needs be.  However, it was a wet and cold day today and so I was happy enough to spend an hour in my garage sowing those seeds today.

    If need be, I'll look at it as practice for the real thing :):smile:


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