Seed Starting

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Seed Starting

with Jen Lopinski

Growing from Seed

A seed is an embryonic plant just waiting to burst into life. Although seeds have their own food

supply, growers must provide sufficient light, warmth, and moisture to turn the seed

from dormancy into a beautiful living plant.

Seed Types:

Open-pollinated – non-hybrid. Seeds saved will produce plants similar to parents.

Heirloom - Open-pollinated seeds have been passed down from one generation to

another by gardeners and farmers for at least 50 years. Prized for appearance, fragrance, and

flavour.

Hybrid - First Generation (F1) – The offspring of a cross between two distinct parent lines.

Seeds saved will not produce plants with characteristics equal to the parent.

Dressed Seed – Coated with fungicide or pesticide.

Foil Packed – Vacuum sealed for improved viability.

Coated or Pelleted seed – Clay or polymer coated seed makes the handling of tiny seed easier to manage.

Plant Categories:

Hardy Annual (HA) – Plants will complete their life cycle in one year. Plants in this group do not need to be raised

indoors and can be sown directly into the garden where they are to flower.

Examples: Calendula, Sweet alyssum, Corn flower, Poppy

Half -Hardy Annual (HHA) – These plants will also complete their life cycle in one year but require a longer

period of growth than HA and should be cultivated indoors. Plants are frost tender and should be planted

outdoors until all risk of frost has passed.

Example: Zinnia, Cosmos, Nicotiana, Cleome, Celosia

Biennial ( B) - These plants will only produce vegetative growth during their first year and will bloom and

die at the end of their 2nd growing season. Usually grown indoors but can be sown outdoors.

Example: Foxglove, Campanula, Wallflower, Sweet William, Hollyhock

Hardy Perennial (HP) - A plant that lives longer than two years or more and can withstand freezing temperatures.

Can be sown indoors and outdoors.

Example: Delphiniums, Cone flower, Lily, Bee Balm, Shasta Daisy, Lupines, Iris, Hosta

Half-Hardy Perennial (HHP) – A plant that lives more than two years but cannot survive temperatures

below 1 degree C or frost. Usually sown indoors but can be sown outdoors.

Example – Geraniums, Dahlias, Begonia

Growing Seeds Indoors

All seeds can be started indoors however it is the seasoned gardener who works

with nature and learns which seeds are best sown outdoors.

Containers - A variety of propagation containers and peat pots can be used to germinate your seeds in, but a shallow growing tray is recommended.

Disinfect - Soak all growing containers and trays with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) for 20 minutes or a vinegar solution (equal parts vinegar and water). Spraying trays with 3% hydrogen peroxide, letting sit for 20 minutes is also effective.

Soil - Fill trays with a soil-less mix (vermiculite, perlite, peat moss) specifically made for seedlings. Soil less mixes help prevent damping off. Damping off is a soil borne disease which causes seedling to suddenly fall over and the soil line and die. A sprinkle of cinnamon can help prevent damping off.

Planting - Once trays are filled with pre-moistened soil, thinly sprinkle seeds on top of the soil. The rule of thumb is to plant seeds at a depth equal to two or three times their width. It is better to plant seeds shallow than to plant seeds too deep.

Tiny seeds: Fine seeds such as Petunia, Begonia, and Foxglove seeds should only be covered with a light dusting of fine vermiculite. Seeds can be mixed with fine sand to distribute seeds more evenly.

Moisture: Once seeds are planted, trays may be lightly sprayed to further moisten soil. If growing tiny seeds, water seed from the bottom so that seeds are not dislodged. Cover seedling with plastic or use a propagation dome to increase moisture. If trays are placed in direct sun, prop dome slightly to prevent overheating. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.

Germination: Monitor seed trays closely for signs of germination. As soon as seedlings start to emerge, remove propagation dome.

Pricking Out – A seedlings first leaves are the seed leaves (cotyledons), usually oval in shape. Once the seedling has grown its first set of true leaves (resembles plant) the seedling can be gently pricked out into its own container. Using a tapered stick, gently scooped the seedling out of its container, careful not to damage the tiny roots, and plant into new container, gently firming soil around seedling. Water gently to settle soil around the base of the seedling. Keep tray out of direct sunlight.

Fertilize – Seedling can be fertilized with a 50 % strength of standard fertilizer such as 10-10-10.

Hardening Up - Once seedlings have reached an appropriate size, it is time to harden the seedling up so that it can be planted successfully outside. Harden the seedling up by placing the plant outside in a sheltered location, out of direct sun for short periods of time, starting with two hours and doubling time each day until plants are sufficiently hardened up. Slowly increase the seedling's exposure to direct sun.

Germination: Monitor seed trays for signs of germination twice daily. Once signs of germination can be seen, remove propagation dome.

Lighting: Unless your growing space has significant natural lighting similar to that of a greenhouse or a conservatory, it is recommended that growers use artificial lighting such as florescent or LED lighting to prevent seedlings from getting leggy.

Darkness - Some seeds require darkness to germinate such as Calendula, Delphinium, Gazania, and Nemesia.

Stratification (Cold chilling) – Some seeds require chilling to break dormancy. Moistened seeds trays may be placed in the fridge under cover for the prescribed time.

Temperature – Most hardy annuals will not require bottom heat and will germinate well at a temperature between 65 F – 70 F.

Heat Mats - Other seed types may require a much warmer temperature and require the use of a heating mat to achieve germination temperatures of 75 F or higher. Seeds such as Petunias, Salvias, Zinnias, Lisianthus, Celosia, Rosemary, Impatiens

Ventilation: Increased Ventilation can help reduce fungal diseases during seedling growth. A small fan blowing gently on newly emerged seedlings will reduce fungal diseases at soil level.

Flowers

· Verbena

· Nicotiana

· Lisianthus

· Ageratum

· Marigold

· Petunias

· Impatiens

· Zinnias

· Celosia

Vegetable and Herb Seeds

· Peppers

· Tomatoes Brussell Spouts

· Eggplant

· Celery

· Cauliflower

· Cabbage

· Rosemary

· Basil

Seedling - Direct Sow Outside

Is best to plant all seeds destined to be planted outside after all risk of frost has passed except

seeds that like cold stratification such as Poppies and Cleome.

Site Preparation: Amend soil, adding organic matter and loosen top 6 inches of soil, raking evenly.

Planting: Using a stick, create rows, depending on depth required. Thinly sprinkle seeds along rows and lightly cover with soil. Lightly tap down freshly planted area to secure seeds.