watering your seeds

Hello again all

I have just come across an article about caring for your seeds, upon i read this " Don't use rain water on seedlings, as it contains fungal spores which may cause them to collapse or damp off" i have used rainwater for years

 

I don't use rainwater on small seedlings, and I only water from the bottom (stand in a tray of water until the compost has soaked up enough). The rain collects all sorts of muck as it runs down the roof and gutters ...

For seeds that get away like a rocket (most veg. etc.) its probably not going to make any difference, but for things that take a while to germinate the risk of fungal infection causing rot before the seed actually manages to germinate is much higher

 

Do you use tap water then Kristen? a friend of mine uses one of those britta water filters, he swears by it.

 

I use tap water but leave it to stand overnight to get upto room temp,either greenhouse or bedroom!
Also this gets rid of the chloride gas.

 

I buy Distilled water for Batteries at £2.65 per Litre from Halfords

I only used 28 litres last year and I grew six fabulous Iceberg Lettuce

Jack McH

 

For very young seedlings I don't water for some time, but just spray with a dilute copper solution. This does two things - waters gently and is an antifungal.

I always water indoor plants, over the winter, with warm water.

 

I to let the seedlings get as dry as I dare to then water from the bottom with luke warm tap water. If I think on I also let water stand overnight to get to room temp. A light spray not to often with a weak copper solution. Seems to work Ok I am in a very soft water area , does hard/soft water make any difference to seedling growth ?

 

I do like Lazydog and JWK - stand the water to allow chlorine to escape, and to get to ambient temperature. I water seed trays / seedlings from below, never on the surface.

Once they are bigger they get whatever is available! If its from the hose its cold and chlorinated ... if its from a water butt (which is my first choice unless it is empty or too far from the plants) then its rain water.

 

Well I do not really pay £74.20 for 28 litres of distilled water to produce 6 iceberg lettuce

Jack McH

 

We knew you didn't pay thet Jack . It was obvious to us that with buying that amount you would have got the bulk buy 15% discount , paying only £63.07 Which makes it a mere £10.50 per lettuce :D