Over Easter weekend (almost 2 months ago) I started several containers of seeds. I started some Arkansas Traveler tomato's, Roma's, and bell peppers. I also started some basil and a few small marigolds. 2 Weeks later, I started some black beans and some chick peas (hey, I'm experimenting, no one grows these!). Anyway, the garbanzos are nearly 10 inches tall now, and the Blean beans are about 6 inches tall and have 6 really big leaves on them, they look great, and will be going into the ground very soon. I'm just about ready to start planting (I know, late start), and the peppers and tomatoes have TINY leaves on them. The leaves are just slightly bigger than the seed leaves. I would average the entire leaf cluster at about the size of a quarter, and the average height it maybe two inches. This is the first time I've planted my own garden, and the first time I started seeds. They've been under a flourescent light in my garage, and have been kept watered fine, except possibly one 4 day weekend I was out of town, and my wife was watering them. Did I do something wrong, or am I just not waiting long enough?
i would THINK putting them in a window that gets around 3 hours of sunlight a day would make them grow a lot more than a little fluro light, or putting them outside on your porch or something... might want to do it gradually so they dont get shocked and wilt from all the new bright light...
throw them suckers out in the real world and nurture them,, ya may lose a couple but just baby them like kids an they will be fine..
Definatley don't give up on your seeds, keep experimenting and getting advise. They are are more tricky to grow at first but once you get the hang of it your plants will be much healthier and stronger and yummier. Keep your own planting journel for use in the future, so you know will know what techniques, sun exposure, planting times etc etc work for your area and yourself. peace! August x
Like hippiehillbilly suggested, put them in the ground once they were an ok size. It's going on winter here and I transplanted some snow peas recently in amongst some that I had started in the ground which had already sprouted. The transplanted ones are just a healthy if not more today, so I'd suggest it too.
hi does anyone know how or has grown melons or oranges from seeds that they got when eating an orange or melon and then planted them i heard you need to have them outside so that they can be germanated but i dont no i live in scotland can anyone give me any advice id like to be under the sea in an octopuses garden in the shade
Most melons from the store are hybrids that will not breed true. Meaning the plants may be different than the fruit you got the seeds from. If you buy organic, nonhybrid melon seeds, you know exactly what you will get.
Thanks everyone! I am going to let them keep growing, and if they end up okay, I'll probably just plant them later than everything else. Thanks again!
Something that could have happened involves the lights you used. A typical fluorescent light does not have the best combination of wave lengths for plants. If you want or need to use artifical lighting, get the bulbs made for plants. The light they give off looks about the same to you and me, but not the same to plants. Even then, it's suggested you put the bulbs close enough to almost touch the tops of the plants. Another thing I've done, but I don't remember where I learned it, is to put a small oscillating fan (set on lowest speed) so it blows gently, back and forth, on the seedlings. It'll simulate wind and makes the seedlings develop stronger stems. Peace, poor_old_dad
my seeds went wonky this year too.... or maybe it was that my evil cat friend chose to hop up on my flat of romas and cilantro seedlings, and take a big poo before she dug them all up into a pile. but i'm only getting good seedlings from about 30% of my seeds. good luck!!!!!
What I do for baby plants. They NEED "hardening off." Meaning, adjusting to being outside. Put them out side,in their growing tray, in diffuse sunlight, for a few hours a day, increasing the amount each day, take them in at the end of the time period. At the end of a week or so, they will be able to withstand wind and sun ect. I make "caps" out of water jugs. I take off most of the bottom of the jug, leaving a "tab" from one side of the bottom. Then, once they are in the garden, at night or on a cold day, I place the Cap over the plant and use the "tab" I left to put soil over so the wind doesn't blow them over. If it gets a little warmer, but still cool, you can take the lid off of the jug, and they can get more air. Check them during the day, if you leave them on, because if it gets too warm you can cook you plants. After a week or two of this I take the caps off and they are on their own.
