No more lanky seedlings. Here's the basics for seed starting indoors to get the healthiest seedlings

#shorts #short #seedstarting

SEED STARTING BASICS: Starting your own seeds can save you money and here’s one way you can guarantee healthy strong growth for your seedlings.

WHAT SOIL TO USE:
Seeds starting soil needs to be light and loose which makes it easier for seeds to push through and sprout. Seeds starting mix are widely available, but if you prefer to start your own. You can use any of this combination: Coir, Peat, Pertlie, Worm Castings, Compost. Remove any hard solid pieces like wood chips.
I use a simple blend for mine which consist of 2 parts coir and 1 part worm castings

To make it easier, presoak your soil blend with water. This will reduce seed disturbance.

CONTAINERS:
Depending on your seeds, you may opt in to use a bigger container. For example, I use smaller size for peppers and tomatoes and then up pot to a bigger container. They sprout and grow at a much slower pace. For squash, use bigger containers since they are fast sprouting and require much bigger room to grow.

WHAT DOES A COVER DO?
By covering your seed tray with a dome, it creates humidity which makes an optimal environment for seeds to sprout. I’ve sprouted both with and without a cover, the covered ones always have the best germination rate. As soon as the seeds sprout, covers can be removed.

LIGHTING:
There’s no need to keep seed tray under the light if they have not sprouted yet. At this stage it is more important to place your tray in a warm location.

When they do spout, it’s time to expose the seedlings under the light.
Either using a grow light or near a bright window with at least 6 hours of sun exposure. Rotate the tray every day for even exposure.

Grow lights help prevent lanky growth. It’s a good investment if you plan on seedling a lot and yearly.

MOVEMENT:
To strengthen your seedlings, move them around. Gently brush your hands through the seedling from time to time or place a fan nearby.

UP POTTING:
When you’re seeding plants indoor, plan to have room for up potting. Keep an eye on roots exiting the bottom of the seed tray. It’s a sign to up pot to a bigger container.

Hope you have an amazing gardening season and happy planting

[holisticheritagehomestead]

Great tips!
Another tip: To prevent spindly, lanky seedlings is to expose them to moving air and/or brush them lightly with your hand sometimes. This mimics wind that they would be exposed to naturally and signals the plant to be stronger. If you have a grow room with a strong enough fan to get your plants to move lightly that will work. Also, good air flow can help prevent other problems with plants. Be well, everyone!

[coleen]

For fungus gnats I use oscillating fan/couple drops lemon scented soap in spray bottle w/water- spray plant & soil early on/& if bad, use little hydrogen peroxide in water- drench soil. Best way to avoid gnats is don’t use real soil, only coco coir/soilless mix indoor potting “soil”.

[ElleL]

Keep the light as low. The reason for leggy seedlings is they are stretching toward the light, so keeping the light as low as possible will prevent seedlings from getting leggy/ lanky. Lower light = shorter legs/ seedlings. Also make sure the seeds are planted deep enough. General rule is for depth, plant 2x the size of the seed.

[EmmelenePillay-ppmd]

Thank you for sharing.i use all your ideas an it works very well❤

[thecanningbandit]

Show us your shelf set up with reflective cover! Include warming mats!

[cosmicseeker]

seeds doesn't need soil nutrients.all they need are darkness, high soil humidity, right temperature (preferably warm). so summary- jus cocopeat/ Coco coir is enof

[jbland]

I use that mix and o make sure it's mixed wet before putting it in the trays. To keep the seeds warm and prevent drying out I place a layer of bubble wrap over them.

[ericasmith]

It looks like you didn’t cover the holes you made to put the seeds in. You don’t have to cover the seeds with soil once you put them in there?

[scottttym]

Yeah, it's way more that that. Did the same. Good light, everything got too tall...

[CanelaDetailing]

What grow light do you use & how high?

[taylorknoll]

Is a grow light absolutely necessary? Some say natural light isn’t enough. Beginner here

[tachnicalfunny]

At what degree temperature does seed germination take place?

[thanhthanhtran]

How about what are you using for your soil mix?

[karli]

Does the light always have to be a few inches from the plants? I ask because I have a 10, 000 lumen light with 6000k. Would that need to be farther away like a few feet or so or should it be right on them? Thanks ahead of time

[bleh]

Wait I thought you were supposed to cover the seeds😢

[shake_shells]

My seedlings always get mold and damping off 😿

[britishbiatch]

Once a week damn !! I'm over watering 😭😭😭

[c.s.]

I'm trying my hardest not to overthink but I'm not sure if I'm suppose to keep the seedlings indoors & covered with minimum lighting until they sprout or can I place the seedlings outside uncovered. It's so much information out here that will literally have a beginner confused. I'm just looking for the correct information.

[eko]

How do you prevent gnats? I always get an insane amount of fungus gnats that kill my seedlings :(