WATER OR NOT

A few weeks ago i sowed some seeds in the greenhouse, salvia,sweetpeas which some are now starting to show but on checking it seems the compost is getting very dry so would it be ok to give all the plants a light watering or just the ones starting to show, any advice appreciated.

 

hi

i can't help with the others but i myself have just grown some sweetpeas from seed ,

mine too dryed out and i gave them a slight watering just to stop them completly drying out and they have been fine .

it does say soak and then leave to dry out ,

but it also tells you to not soak the seeds before potting and then others say soak them so its really up to you but mine were fine if thats any help.

lisa

 

I'd give them all a watering if they are starting to dry out robbo. One of the worst things you can do is let seed dry out once germination has started, as you say a light watering, and as long as the pots or trays have drainage holes it should be fine.

 

Gave them a watering and left them uncovered, have just checked them and found that some of them look in distress ie the stems look ok but the petal or petals that were on the top have shrivelled up,is that because i left them in direct sun, should i have placed them nearer ground level. advice appreciated.

 

Direct sunlight through glass is getting pretty strong now, and any newly emerged seedlings are easily burnt if close to the glass without a bit of airflow around them.
Ventilate whenever it seems too warm in the greenhouse.

 

When mine get a bit stressed like that, after gentle watering with a bottle top spray, I put them in the shade for a couple of days and they usually recover.

IMHO

 

Just remembered reading (but can't remember where) that the worst thing you can do to a plant that's dried up, is to give it a good watering...almost certain death!

So perhaps it would be even better to very slowly introduce some moisture....anybody?

 

Not heard that DAG.
They do say that you shouldn't water plants that are in full sun, but you should wait until the sun goes off of them.
Well I think if a plant is dry you should water it as soon as poss, avoiding getting it on the leaves if you can.

 

I agree with Pete - if a plant is dried out, it needs water - but not if it's in full sun. I'd put it somewhere out of direct sunlight and give it a light water, and keep checking on it and repeating, particulalry if it's something that has recently been planted or potted on, when it's at its most vulnerable