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SEEDS
marilyn5
Posts: 14
I am trying to grow plants from seeds this year but not having much success. I have planted trays of seeds in seed trays, with seed compost topped with vermiculite. My seeds have all germinated, but before the true leaves form they all fell over. I am growing them indoors in a warm sunny bedroom. What am I doing wrong. HELP
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Possibly too warm for the type of plant - what are you growing?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Hi marilyn, it sounds like damping off. This is caused by high humidity and over wet compost. How often are you watering your seedlings?
I watered the soil before sowing the seeds, then misted them after about 4/5 days. Should I have left them to get very dry?
Could probably be the misting that's caused the problem.
Don't let them dry out, I always water from underneath, if you cover your trays with a propagator lid remove this from time to time to allow fresh air in.
If it is damping off which is a fungal disease you may lose the lot
There are lots of articles on this site about he problem and a video, just did a quick search myself to check out my advice before I gave it.
Are they getting enough light?
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Thanks very much Kitty 2, I think you are right it is damping off. I will watch the video and perhaps have another go.
It is also worth considering the type of plants being grown - if they're hardy perennials they don't need to be in the warm.
Too much warmth and not enough light will cause the seedlings to become etiolated and drawn and that is why the stems are too weak and they flop over.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
More light , good ventilation , damp compost and they will do fine I was mother cuddling mine with bad results changed the way I was doing and now they are doing good .
I wouldn't grow them in a warm room or a sunny one. You do want bright light, but not direct sunshine. The temperature depends on the type of seed - the packet should advise - and once they germinate, they usually need to be cooler. Indoors, behind window glass can be very chilly if there is not double glazing and baking hot during the day. Hardy perennials and hardy annuals should be OK outdoors now: half hardies need warmth to germinate and then shelter in a greenhouse or cold frame. Everyone gets damping off sometimes - better luck next time!
I was trying to grow Tagetes, Cosmos and Antirrhinums, but will try again with the half packet of seeds left. I will get this right!!! Thanks for all the replies.