Searting seeds my way !

mensplace · February 23, 2018

I don't have a warmer to go beneath the seeds and I don't have overhead lights. Since my longhaired calico of 15 years died recently, I resorted to her fairly new, deep and large, plastic cat box that was always kept spotless and full of cedar. I cleaned it with Clorox, then filled it with Jiffy Mix seed starter soil to a depth of four inches. Then, I add. I then added half a gallon of very hot water.

Next, I carefully plotted the rows and marked each with plastic row markers. After carefully spacing the seeds in, I covered it all with a white plastic garbage bag and pulled the end tight. I kept the whole planter inside next to a heater for three days. Then, the outside temperature rose to into the eighties with plenty of sunlight.

The seedlings have been on the front porch for several days inside the trash bag. With it so warm today, I peeked inside and was amazed to find virtually every seed sprouted and about an inch tall. They are in indirect sunlight now. Later, I will move them to full sun...after they have adjusted. Total cost; around eight dollars. When living on a very tight fixed budget, you just have to make do sometimes.

Rajun Gardener · February 23, 2018

You gotta do what works for you, I'm glad they all sprouted. I hope you took the bag off and you can leave them in full sun and not worry about them besides keeping them watered. They adapt to the sun easier when just sprouted than any other time.

rhoder551 · February 23, 2018

I have one of those warmer things but have found that watering the soil with warm water works almost as well... Doing things your own way and having it work out is very satisfying.

Salsacharley · February 23, 2018

Sorry for your loss of your family member. Best wishes for good life coming from the box.

mensplace · February 23, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajun Gardener

You gotta do what works for you, I'm glad they all sprouted. I hope you took the bag off and you can leave them in full sun and not worry about them besides keeping them watered. They adapt to the sun easier when just sprouted than any other time.

I have always thought that seedlings need to be introduced to the full sun over time to prevent sun scalding. Maybe I've been taught wrong.

Rajun Gardener · February 23, 2018

NOPE, I start mine inside and they go straight to the greenhouse when a few are sprouted. No hardening off is needed. These seeds grow as volunteers in full sun. It's natural but if you grow them inside then yes you need to harden them off.

kath · February 23, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by mensplace

I have always thought that seedlings need to be introduced to the full sun over time to prevent sun scalding. Maybe I've been taught wrong.

Yes, what Rajun said- that's one of the great things about being able to start seedlings when the weather is nice enough for them to be outside, at least during the day...no supplementary light really needed, no fan, no hardening off...

Sorry about your kitty- so hard losing pets.

edweather · February 24, 2018

Glad you're putting your kitty's box to good use. I didn't hear you mention drainage. Did you poke a hole or two in the bottom?

mensplace · February 24, 2018

Probably a good idea. Thanks!

From my Alzheimer's I can't remember when to first fertilize to boost sturdy plants ... or what would be the best alternative to miraclegro that can't harm the young plants and is affordable.

Heck, nowadays it takes forever to type entries here and then correct them a few times

kath · February 24, 2018

If you already have Miracle Grow, you can use that 1/2 strength when they have a couple sets of true leaves. Some people don't feed at all until well after they're transplanted into the garden. Keep it simple.

kath

mensplace · February 24, 2018

After the many times I have come back to this post, I just noticed the mistake in the title which should have been "Starting". Guess it is what it is, my fingers do well now to find the correct letters.

Thanks for your suggestion. You are probably right, and I don't want to risk damaging these. Maybe later I can cut the Miracle-Gro.

Have a blessed week next week!

ChristinaJo · February 25, 2018

Hi
I know it sounds " redneck", but I've put my seeds in the spare bedroom,with the electric blanket on....worked fine!

Goodloe · February 25, 2018

Dang, that's beautiful! Wish I'd thought of it....

ginger2778 · February 25, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajun Gardener

You gotta do what works for you, I'm glad they all sprouted. I hope you took the bag off and you can leave them in full sun and not worry about them besides keeping them watered. They adapt to the sun easier when just sprouted than any other time.

I agree with every single word of this post.

February 23, 2018	#1
mensplace Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,013	Searting seeds my way ! I don't have a warmer to go beneath the seeds and I don't have overhead lights. Since my longhaired calico of 15 years died recently, I resorted to her fairly new, deep and large, plastic cat box that was always kept spotless and full of cedar. I cleaned it with Clorox, then filled it with Jiffy Mix seed starter soil to a depth of four inches. Then, I add. I then added half a gallon of very hot water. Next, I carefully plotted the rows and marked each with plastic row markers. After carefully spacing the seeds in, I covered it all with a white plastic garbage bag and pulled the end tight. I kept the whole planter inside next to a heater for three days. Then, the outside temperature rose to into the eighties with plenty of sunlight. The seedlings have been on the front porch for several days inside the trash bag. With it so warm today, I peeked inside and was amazed to find virtually every seed sprouted and about an inch tall. They are in indirect sunlight now. Later, I will move them to full sun...after they have adjusted. Total cost; around eight dollars. When living on a very tight fixed budget, you just have to make do sometimes.

February 24, 2018	#8
edweather Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Southeast GA, USDA 9a, HZ9, Sunset Z28 Posts: 396	Glad you're putting your kitty's box to good use. I didn't hear you mention drainage. Did you poke a hole or two in the bottom? __________________ You'll be surprised what you'll never have to do, if you put it off long enough.

February 23, 2018	#2
Rajun Gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tomato Cornhole Posts: 2,550	You gotta do what works for you, I'm glad they all sprouted. I hope you took the bag off and you can leave them in full sun and not worry about them besides keeping them watered. They adapt to the sun easier when just sprouted than any other time.

February 23, 2018	#3
rhoder551 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 219	I have one of those warmer things but have found that watering the soil with warm water works almost as well... Doing things your own way and having it work out is very satisfying.

February 23, 2018	#4
Salsacharley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,052	Sorry for your loss of your family member. Best wishes for good life coming from the box.

February 24, 2018	#10
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	If you already have Miracle Grow, you can use that 1/2 strength when they have a couple sets of true leaves. Some people don't feed at all until well after they're transplanted into the garden. Keep it simple. kath

February 25, 2018	#12
ChristinaJo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NE Texas Posts: 425	Hi I know it sounds " redneck", but I've put my seeds in the spare bedroom,with the electric blanket on....worked fine!

February 25, 2018	#13
Goodloe Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Steens, MS 8a Posts: 410	Dang, that's beautiful! Wish I'd thought of it....