Hello

I'm beginning to think that this years seedling will go the same way as last
years.....

I've planted a couple of trays of seeds (Cosmea/Cosmo ?) and they've shot up
to 2-3 inches tall in the space of 1-2 weeks. However, some are now
starting to topple over and a couple of them have withered at the base.
They are planted in 3cm square plant trays

This happened last year as well, when I had a couple of trays of weedy
(horizontal) seedlings. What am I doing wrong?

TIA

David

'DP',

I think that you are starting the seeds too early with probably too much
heat and not enough of light and ventilation. In those conditions they
become leggy and weak.

Last year I started my Cosmos Sonata Mixed on the 11 April in moist
compost with clingfilm over it and they germinated in about four days in
a temperature of just over 70°, as recommended on the packet.

I watched them closely and removed the clingfilm promptly as soon as the
first seedlings appeared. Then I exposed them to maximum light and
ventilation in a temperature of about 50°. Turn the tray daily so that
maximum light is shared by all. I gradually hardened them off and
potted them up when they formed their second pair of leaves.

I intend to do the same again this year, weather permitting.

You have more than ample time to start again and that is what I
encourage you to do, using the above strategy as a guide. By all means
use the plant trays.

Regards,
Emrys Davies








"DP" wrote in message
...
Hello

I'm beginning to think that this years seedling will go the same way
as last
years.....

I've planted a couple of trays of seeds (Cosmea/Cosmo ?) and they've
shot up
to 2-3 inches tall in the space of 1-2 weeks. However, some are now
starting to topple over and a couple of them have withered at the
base.
They are planted in 3cm square plant trays

This happened last year as well, when I had a couple of trays of weedy
(horizontal) seedlings. What am I doing wrong?

TIA

David

'DP',

I omitted to say that you need to cover the tray with newspaper or the
like until the first seedlings appear then discard it. That helps to
prevent the compost from drying out. Make sure that you spot the
seedlings as soon as they are breaking the surface, then act.

Good luck,
Emrys Davies.



DP" wrote in message
...
Hello

I'm beginning to think that this years seedling will go the same way
as last
years.....

I've planted a couple of trays of seeds (Cosmea/Cosmo ?) and they've
shot up
to 2-3 inches tall in the space of 1-2 weeks. However, some are now
starting to topple over and a couple of them have withered at the
base.
They are planted in 3cm square plant trays

This happened last year as well, when I had a couple of trays of weedy
(horizontal) seedlings. What am I doing wrong?

TIA

David

Emrys

Thanks for your tips

I think that you are starting the seeds too early with probably too much
heat and not enough of light and ventilation. In those conditions they
become leggy and weak.
Last year I started my Cosmos Sonata Mixed on the 11 April in moist
compost with clingfilm over it and they germinated in about four days in
a temperature of just over 70°, as recommended on the packet.

I watched them closely and removed the clingfilm promptly as soon as the
first seedlings appeared. Then I exposed them to maximum light and
ventilation in a temperature of about 50°. Turn the tray daily so that
maximum light is shared by all. I gradually hardened them off and
potted them up when they formed their second pair of leaves.

I intend to do the same again this year, weather permitting.

You have more than ample time to start again and that is what I
encourage you to do, using the above strategy as a guide. By all means
use the plant trays.

I started them a week last Sunday and placed them on top of a wall unit in
the utility room (which contains the boiler, though it's unlikely to be
70deg ) with a sheet of thick black plastic on top. After about 4 days, I
noticed them popping through and removed the plastic. I kept them up there
for a couple more days until they had all broken though and then placed them
on the dinning room table (!) I rotate and spray them daily.

It seems by initial temperature may not have been high enough and I waited
too long before exposing them to maximum light.......back to the garden
centre it s then :-(

Thanks

David

On Tue, 11 Mar 2003 13:20:14 -0000, "DP"
wrote:

I've planted a couple of trays of seeds (Cosmea/Cosmo ?) and they've shot up
to 2-3 inches tall in the space of 1-2 weeks. However, some are now
starting to topple over and a couple of them have withered at the base.
They are planted in 3cm square plant trays

This happened last year as well, when I had a couple of trays of weedy
(horizontal) seedlings. What am I doing wrong?

This sounds like "damping off", a fungus that grows on the
surface of the soil and attacks the succulent stems of young
seedlings. That's why they fall over.

While there are preparations you can use to combat this (one sold
here in Canada has the name "No-Damp"), it is better to prevent
it from happening in the first place.

Suggested rules:

1. Use pasteurized soil for your seeding.

2. Be sure that flats and pots are scrupulously clean. If they
are not new, wash them well with dishwashing liquid and hot
water, and give them a final rinse in a dilute solution of
chlorine bleach.

3. Avoid overwatering.

4. Make sure the flats are well-ventilated, esp. after the
seedlings first emerge.

5. Sow very thinly so the seedlings are not at all crowded.


--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

This sounds like "damping off", a fungus that grows on the
surface of the soil and attacks the succulent stems of young
seedlings. That's why they fall over.

While there are preparations you can use to combat this (one sold
here in Canada has the name "No-Damp"), it is better to prevent
it from happening in the first place.

Suggested rules:

1. Use pasteurized soil for your seeding.

2. Be sure that flats and pots are scrupulously clean. If they
are not new, wash them well with dishwashing liquid and hot
water, and give them a final rinse in a dilute solution of
chlorine bleach.

3. Avoid overwatering.

4. Make sure the flats are well-ventilated, esp. after the
seedlings first emerge.

5. Sow very thinly so the seedlings are not at all crowded.

Rodger

1. ! ?
2. Oh, they've been sitting outside for the past year.
3. I think this has put paid to a few of them.
4. Flats?
5. They're one seedling per 1" square pot at the moment.

Thanks for your ideas

David