I think part of your problem is the soil level There's a huge gap between the soil and the edge of the tray. Any seed would become etiolated in that instance. The level should be right up near the top of the tray. The soil mix also looks very solid. If you do them again, get that perlite or grit into the mix. I do around half and half with seed if it's a plant that needs good drainage
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'm going to get some seed compost and some perlite. The soil was just what I had left over. It isn't the best I will say that. Will take advice and post later with second batch.
I wouldn't use fine sand. Gritty sand is ok - but mixed with some compost. Seed compost is pointless at this time of year. Ordinary multi purpose is better.
Seed compost is mainly for autumn sowing as it contains hardly any nutrients, because you don't want loads of soft growth over autumn/winter with young plants.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Can you sow them on base of fine sand and cover with perlite. Would that work?
No - just do as before when the sun is a bit stronger and as Fg says fill the seed tray higher with compost with some perlite or vermiculite. The seedlings you have may be ok anyway!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Ps - don't go searching for seed compost - few places stock it. Ordinary multi-purpose compost with some added perlite or vermiculite is fine. Fill the seed tray nearly to the top and press it down very lightly with your palm. Give the compost a spray with a little hand sprayer just to dampen it a little, sprinkle some seed thinly on the compost then cover with a light sprinkle of perlite or vermiculite, give it another little spray then put in a plastic bag and keep somewhere ideally a bit over 20C. When they start to germinate, remove the plastic bag and keep them in good light - but don't let them get an overnight chill on a windowsill
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Posts
There's a huge gap between the soil and the edge of the tray. Any seed would become etiolated in that instance. The level should be right up near the top of the tray.
The soil mix also looks very solid. If you do them again, get that perlite or grit into the mix. I do around half and half with seed if it's a plant that needs good drainage
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks again.
Seed compost is pointless at this time of year. Ordinary multi purpose is better.
Seed compost is mainly for autumn sowing as it contains hardly any nutrients, because you don't want loads of soft growth over autumn/winter with young plants.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The seedlings you have may be ok anyway!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Ordinary multi-purpose compost with some added perlite or vermiculite is fine.
Fill the seed tray nearly to the top and press it down very lightly with your palm.
Give the compost a spray with a little hand sprayer just to dampen it a little, sprinkle some seed thinly on the compost then cover with a light sprinkle of perlite or vermiculite, give it another little spray then put in a plastic bag and keep somewhere ideally a bit over 20C.
When they start to germinate, remove the plastic bag and keep them in good light - but don't let them get an overnight chill on a windowsill
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.