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Easy questions about HA seedlings

ph1109ph1109 Posts: 32
in Problem solving
Hi
Please bear with me, I am completely new to this. I just could not find an answer to this online!

I have sown hardy annuals in the autumn under cover: salvia, euphorbia, scabiosa, echinops, and Chamomile (which is a perennial). A month ago I have also sown gypsophilia, carnation, Godelia and Cynoglossum.They came on very well, and they are currently under cover (polytunnel), where I also have Bellis and Viola which I have bought als plugplants in the autumn and which I hoped would be flowering in winter - that was what the description said when I bought them :-)

The temperature over night in the polytunnel is just below or around zero, during the day temperature is about 5 degrees on overcast days, and on rare moments when the sun is shining temperature is in the twenties, even thirties.

The problem is: al the plants have all stopped growing. The ones that I have sown last month remain tiny, they have only just germinated. The others had grown earlier on, in autumn and maybe early winter untill 5 or7 cm but they have now stopped. Is this normal? Do they need more warmth? Will they e entually grow quick enough to be able to go outside on time (end of May, I believe)
And what about the violas and Bellis that were suppose to flourish and flower during winter?

Also, I just can't decide if I need to water  them. I just can't tell if they are too dry, or too damp. Do they need water at all if they are sleeping?
I believe you should never  fertilize scabiosa, chamomile and echinops (correct me if I am wrong), but what about the others, should I feed them, would that be good for them at this moment? (eg 1x/week)

Any tips most welcomed!
Thanks.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It's cold.  Plants don't grow when it's cold.  Other than spring bulbs which are programmed to grow early and have underground energy stored in their bulbs, most plants just hang on till it's warm enough to grow again.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    They also need enough light.  Seedlings which germinate in the autumn just sit there until spring... fertiliser isn't needed until they start growing.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • ph1109ph1109 Posts: 32
    And do they need water?
    What about the bellis and viola's, they were supposed to flower in the winter, when it is cold?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Did you pot your plugs up in decent compost and grow them on?  Even so they'd need some warmth to get them to size for this winter and yes, they'd need water too but not enough to drown them.   Even so, they'll sulk when it's really cold and only flower on bright sunny days in my experience.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    The bellis won't really get going until the weather warms up. You might get some flowers in autumn and in any mild spells, but it's a few weeks yet until you'll see the best of them. The same applies to the violas.
  • ph1109ph1109 Posts: 32
    Thank you.
    One last question. What is TOO cold and would kill my seedlings?
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Good question. Have a look at this and see if it helps. 
    http://theseedsite.co.uk/wintersowing.html
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Also look at the RHS website they  list hardiness ratings for a wide range of plants and seeds.  Most plants stop growing below a soil temperature of 5 C as mentioned if they are hardy they will grow again as soon as conditions are right. 
    AB Still learning

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