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How long should i keep the cover on seedlings with less than 100% germination?

Garry PelkaGarry Pelka Posts: 1
in The potting shed
Hi all, just looking for some quick advice. I have always struggled to get 100% germination when i plant seeds in trays which causes me a problem when they are covered. Most seed packets state to remove the cover when seedlings appear but how long should i keep it on if say, only 50% have appeared. Can i leave it an extra couple of days to see if more appear or does that start to harm those that have already sprouted? Thanks in advance.

Posts

  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    I always leave the cover on until I don’t think anymore seedlings are going to appear.  Not sure if you’re meant to, but it has never caused me any problems 
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    I don't cover my seeds, but I do give them a light spraying with room temperature water several times a day.
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    There is never any guarantee that all the seeds will germinate.  I generally take the cover off after a good number have, to minimise the risk of damping off.  It depends on the seed of course, but I would take the cover off after 50% of, say, petunia seeds have germinated but leave it until most of the, say, cosmos seeds have.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I do as @chicky describes, but it can also depend on the seed you're sowing, and the timing of sowing etc. Some will come through very quickly, and others will be a bit slower, but it won't generally do any harm if you leave a cover on for a few extra days.

    If you're using a 'proper' tray with a lid that has a little opening/vent that you can adjust, that might be ideal.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    As per @Fairygirl the lids with the adjustable vents are more useful. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I tend to sow in pots, apart from later sowings I do in more suitable temps, and I have a stock of little lids from yogurt pots and similar, which fit nicely over a three inch pot.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    The yogurt I buy ( natural/Greek) stopped using lids on their pots some time ago so my lids are gradually wearing out.   I always find those tall yogurt pots work well for doing the likes of Beans and Peas - holes punched in the base and they can do for a while before planting in final spot.
    If forced to buy mushrooms in containers rather than loose, I find the trays, given the same treatment do make handy seed trays. 
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