Principles of seed sowing

Thanks Peter

I'll sow a few now and see how I get on! Got some begonias and lupins which I might do some early trials with!

 

If you don't pm me, I won't know. Can't read everything

 

We're watching you BM

 

??? drifting off subject Zigs?

 

I always thought admin were high level beings and are omnipresent

 

An excellent description of what is basically a simple gardening technique that is often misunderstood and creates concern to some people!

Well done! And thanks...Tg

 

Will this: http://www.bayergarden.co.uk/en/data/Products/f/Fruit-and-Vegetable-Disease-Control.aspx

help get rid of the damping off disease that is affecting my leek seedlings? Is it too late if its already set in or can i fight back? Some have already fallen over so should I just chuck 'em?

 

You sure its damping off?

From memory they grow with a "hook" initially, might that look like they are falling over?

I would see if any survive and also sow some more (plenty of time left - I haven't sown mine yet, although its on my calendar for "a week ago"

 

white mould like fluff at base as well. Some extra pics:

 

Leeks are very hardy plants, as such they dont like warm close conditions.
So a good air flow around the seedlings and a minimum of 10C should be OK.
They dont look to bad to me, just maybe a bit leggy?

 

i've started leaving the window slightly open near them now, so they get a cold draft all day. its the same room as where we dry clothes so it gets warm and humid.

oh the shame!

 

They look OK to me too. Some have probably germinated on the surface and not got their root into the compost - that happens, they'll dry out and die , the rest will be fine.

I suspect the "Mould" is just something harmless developing on the surface of the compost. Could be something sinister, but I think the odds are good that its nothing to worry about.

 

Thanks for the info, I've nipped out the few that had mould/fluff on so hopefully this will help a bit. In the future I'll be soaking all my compost in boiling water. I wasn't aware that this might be necessary.

 

Indeed :( it shouldn't be necessary (but will do no harm, and will warm the compost for when you sow the seeds, which some/many will show their appreciation by germinating a day or so earlier

However, it might just be that that mould has come in from somewhere else - on the Leek seed for example - so even hot-water treatment might not have helped.

Either way, I don't think its going to impact your seedlings.

On your photo the plants looked a little sparse - or did you sow them a half-inch apart so they could grow on in that container for "quite a while" (which is how I sow & grow my Leek seedlings until final transplanting)

 

Yes that's the plan, Mrs. Frost wouldn't be too keen on trays and pots taking up all horizontal surfaces so I'm trying to minimize the the space that I use. Carrots are getting sown tonight, just need to find somewhere to put them now. Hoppefully they like it a bit chilly!