The flies are probably there because of the conditions - likely too moist and humid, as that's what they like. A dehumidifier that's creating heat, mixed with wet compost - perfect for them
I think we'd need to see some photos of the condition of the seedlings, as well as what they are. Some plants need cold stratification too, so not everything wants heat.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
To be fair, I used a dehumidifier when I first sowed seeds they take the damp out of the air and blow it out warm, they do dry the seed trays out and I had to spray every day, I’m very lucky now to have access to any empty flat and spread the seeds out on a large table and keep the radiator just ticking over to keep the chill off.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
You'll almost definitely get some Foxgloves flowering next year. I planted a tonne last year for the first time (I'm a bit slap dash, so no skills used!) - it was September when I did it. I had about a million pots as I didn't think it through . Most were in a cold frame, maybe they would have been fine but it did snow quite a bit which might have flattened them if nothing else. Come spring I ended up putting a load on Gumtree as I had more than I could plant. Anyway, long story short, all the ones I kept were loving life and all flowered. Some have even got some new little spikes in flower now.
Great news that there's a good chance of flowering foxgloves next year. And I've ended up giving away plants this year too, and am hoping be doing so again come Spring/early Summer. I have a cucumber plant that a friend gave me as they had extras, so I'm hoping the plant swapping can continue.
As for the seedlings, they're thriving. There's no problems in those terms. I really don't think the humidity is a problem - it's generally kept between 45% and 50%. The flies don't seem to be affecting the health of the plants, I just don't want a house full of flies! It's under control right now, but I have to plans to grow quite a lot next year and I don't have a greenhouse, so they'll need to stay inside a bit longer and I'm worried it'll end up like a flippin horror movie by Spring if I don't get a handle on the flies! What I don't want to happen is to have a bunch of healthy seedlings I end up having to move outside because the fly issue is unbearable and then I end up losing them all. That's why I'm trying to work out the best approach now to hopefully prevent it becoming an issue.
In terms of composting, it's not a big garden and I'm also concerned about rodents, so we were thinking a couple of tumblers/ a double one could be the way to go. Pricey though - hence wanting to do some more in depth research before taking the plunge.
Foxgloves need no protection from any weather, even when small. Sun maybe, but not cold, wet, snow ice or anything else I don't know what the answer is then @YessicaHaircut. I've never had huge quantities of flies inside the house when growing seedlings. They go outside into the growhouse or a cold frame as soon as they're a decent enough size. If they're plants which are only half hardy, it might be better to sow later to avoid having them inside for such a long time. If the weather's too cold/inclement to put them out, that would make life easier.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks, @Fairygirl. Knowing me, I will be keen to get sowing as soon as I can, but it makes sense to start later and minimise the amount of time indoors.
We get endless queries every year on the forum about sowing seed too early @YessicaHaircut . Most of them are from people who simply don't have the room, or the resources, to keep seedlings when they need pricked out and potted on, because they sow in February or similar, and sow too any seeds for their facilities.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
A dehumidifier that's creating heat, mixed with wet compost - perfect for them
I think we'd need to see some photos of the condition of the seedlings, as well as what they are. Some plants need cold stratification too, so not everything wants heat.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
As for the seedlings, they're thriving. There's no problems in those terms. I really don't think the humidity is a problem - it's generally kept between 45% and 50%. The flies don't seem to be affecting the health of the plants, I just don't want a house full of flies! It's under control right now, but I have to plans to grow quite a lot next year and I don't have a greenhouse, so they'll need to stay inside a bit longer and I'm worried it'll end up like a flippin horror movie by Spring if I don't get a handle on the flies! What I don't want to happen is to have a bunch of healthy seedlings I end up having to move outside because the fly issue is unbearable and then I end up losing them all.
I don't know what the answer is then @YessicaHaircut. I've never had huge quantities of flies inside the house when growing seedlings. They go outside into the growhouse or a cold frame as soon as they're a decent enough size.
If they're plants which are only half hardy, it might be better to sow later to avoid having them inside for such a long time. If the weather's too cold/inclement to put them out, that would make life easier.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Most of them are from people who simply don't have the room, or the resources, to keep seedlings when they need pricked out and potted on, because they sow in February or similar, and sow too any seeds for their facilities.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...