KB seedlings! advice please! am I too late?

SharonRossy · April 27, 2014

Hi everyone. I started seeds on March 23. The KB's only gave one seedling and after two weeks, when I was potting into 4" pots, a few more started, but I tossed them, thinking they wouldn't make it. Just a few days ago I decided to try again, putting the pot on my heated bathroom floor, and, voila, I got 5 that germinated. Last year I had zero germination with KB. I know it's late, but we're having a cold spring and the general forecast here for last frost date is probably end of May. The seedlings are under lights. Is there hope? I think what I've learned from this is that I'm putting my trays on the heated floor! They were in a warm room, but it seems some varieties need bottom warmth. And I shouldn't have been so quick to toss the poor little guys out.

Thanks, Sharon

JamesL · April 27, 2014

Sharon,
Bottom heat is a wonderful thing. I have been using it to great effect to accelerate growth on an entire group of late starts as well as to speed up recovery time on grafted plants. Plants on a heat mat or heated floor under lights will catch up to the rest rapidly.
So no, you are not too late!

SharonRossy · April 27, 2014

Thanks, that gives me hope! I need to learn to have more patience!

April 27, 2014	#1
SharonRossy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,140	KB seedlings! advice please! am I too late? Hi everyone. I started seeds on March 23. The KB's only gave one seedling and after two weeks, when I was potting into 4" pots, a few more started, but I tossed them, thinking they wouldn't make it. Just a few days ago I decided to try again, putting the pot on my heated bathroom floor, and, voila, I got 5 that germinated. Last year I had zero germination with KB. I know it's late, but we're having a cold spring and the general forecast here for last frost date is probably end of May. The seedlings are under lights. Is there hope? I think what I've learned from this is that I'm putting my trays on the heated floor! They were in a warm room, but it seems some varieties need bottom warmth. And I shouldn't have been so quick to toss the poor little guys out. Thanks, Sharon

April 27, 2014	#2
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Sharon, Bottom heat is a wonderful thing. I have been using it to great effect to accelerate growth on an entire group of late starts as well as to speed up recovery time on grafted plants. Plants on a heat mat or heated floor under lights will catch up to the rest rapidly. So no, you are not too late!