Merry meet all,
This post tells you how to sustain your indoor seedlings until it is time to transplant them. I was out in my garden this morning. I’m delighted to see so many plants come up, thumbing their green noses at winter. Lady’s mantle, chives, raspberry, mullein, tiger lilies, my haskap berries, lavender, sage and red clover. These are just a few. I live in zone 6. It is not time yet to transplant the seedlings yet (how I wish). It’s hard to keep them going but this post will share tips on how to grow them to their very best potential.
The first tip I want to mention here is not to overwater them. This is why it pays off big time to do your research on plants. Sage, lavender, thyme, oregano and rosemary may originate from the Mediterranean. They like hot, arid conditions. I mist the plants with a spray bottle once to twice a day. That is it. If you do drown your plants, that can cause root rot or damping off. Then the seedlings die. Mist them, get the surface of the water wet or maybe a little more. I water them in the morning.
Make sure your plants get lots of access to sunlight. You can use a grow light if you wish. This is almost more important than the plants getting water. The natural sunlight encourages the strong plant and root growth vital for them growing so strong. Plants can turn and stretch to reach the sun. This is why you hear people telling you to turn the pots. Plants reach toward the sun.
Good soil is the next point here. My seedlings are healthier this year because I used good quality soil. I mentioned this in a previous post. I am sure it is because I used good soil instead of poor soil from the dollar store. The bad soil lacks the nutrients.
While we are at it, get good seeds too. I ordered a package of mystery seeds from Green Witch co. I am so glad I did. I have never had such good luck with seedlings as this spring. I am sure it is a combination of the watering techniques, the soil and the seeds. Plus, I don’t use peat pots. I prefer the plastic starter pots over peat pots. This is a big tip. The peat pots don’t hold water the same way as peat pots do. I also have McKenzie heirloom seeds and organic seeds.
Some people rush in using potting soil to start their seeds in. Nope, you need a good seed starting mix to grow seeds in. When they outgrow the starter pots and need to be transplanted into bigger pots, then you can use potting soil. You can even mix the two soil types together.
Be gentle with the seedlings. Transplant them gently into their new pots. Be careful with the seedlings and they take over from there. Plants are living beings and have a mind of their own. Fertilize them when they are in their new pots placed on a window ledge where sunlight streams in. Watch them grow beautifully. It is amazing how plants work.
The last point to make here is to have patience with the seedlings. You were a baby once too, and your mother was patient with you. Treat your plants the same way and they will grow into beautiful strong plants. Save the strong plants. I am not too happy that not all my seedlings have survived. I just do what mother nature does. I encourage the strongest seedlings to grow.
Store the seeds you are not using in paper envelopes or very dry jars. Seeds will last a long time that way. Be sure to label and date the containers.
If you follow all these tips, your plants may make it to transplant time. Never let the soil dry out, keep it moist. Place them in sun or under grow lights. Good luck planting!!
Blessings, Spiderwitch
The Paranormal Quill 