Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Covering seeds up.

Nicola BalfourNicola Balfour Posts: 13
in Plants
 I am currently growing Rudbeckia seeds and I would like to know if I have to continuously have to cover them up all the time? Or can I take off the cover to let air round in order to grow? How does germination work as I'm very new with bringing on seedlings.  Many thanks.  

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They'll need light, so you'll need to get them more than they have in the site you have them in the pic.
    Ideally, you would cover them with a clear lid to give them a bit of warmth, but at this time of year, a sunny windowsill would probably be enough. It just depends on your general conditions.
    Keep turning the trays too, so that they grow evenly. When they're big enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on, before hardening off for outdoor conditions in another month or so.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited May 2020
    Sorry - I just realised - I should have said that you only cover them until they germinate, and then keep the lid off, or at least move it, or open it, for a few days before keeping it off completely.  :)
    Also - don't over water- a misting is better from a spray bottle of some kind. If you don't have one, you can use a plastic drinks bottle or similar, with some holes punched in the lid. Too much water causes problems. You have to just judge it on a daily basis too when they're tiny  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Nicola BalfourNicola Balfour Posts: 13
    Brilliant advice Fairygirl, I'm going to move the trays inside the house, covered up and on my window sills until the seeds pop up through the soil. I haven't got a greenhouse so the only indoor space outside is the photo I showed you. Now I first sat all three trays in water until the soil was moist is this right? I haven't watered them since.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @Nicola Balfour- apologies, I completely forgot to reply!
    Yes - that's a good way to initially water the compost, as it's easier to get the compost dampened. 
    Just wait until the compost is slightly drying out, before misting, as it can be easy to water all the seeds to one side of the tray etc.
    If you're unsure, lift the trays up and you'll be able to tell if they need a drink, as they'll be very light. The time it takes for that to happen will depend on the conditions they're in.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sign In or Register to comment.