Search results for: 'Seed'

Tip #1: Preparing your soil.  Before you put your potting mix in the container where you will be germinating seeds, put the mix in a large bowl and add hot water. Work the soil in your hands until it's all mixed.  Add more hot water if necessary to keep it moist but not too moist!  See video. This is the consistency you want.  Whenever I've had difficulty with germination or with fungus growing on seeds it's because there was too much moisture in the potting mix. You can control this better if you add t...

When I took a propagation course at The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, NY, I learned that the best medium for indoor seed starting is one with little or no actual soil in it. At the time it seemed counter-intuitive to place my seeds in something as lifeless as a ‘soilless’ mix. Even though ordinary garden soil contains both organic and inorganic matter, I learned that organic matter can bring with it pathogens that provide an inhospitable environment for seeds germinating indoors in an other...

Moving young seedlings (and houseplants) that have been growing inside your home to a garden outside can be a traumatic experience for them. Outdoor environments bring fluctuating temperatures, rain, wind and humidity. If the plant isn't prepared for conditions such as these, they may not survive their new outdoor environment.  The good news is that you can harden off plants beforehand to make the transition smoother and less stressful. Start Early Ideally, you should begin hardening off your seedling ab...

Transplanting young seedlings that were grown inside your home to a garden outside can be a traumatic experience that places their health and well-being in jeopardy. You have to realize that outdoor environments bring fluctuating temperatures, rain, wind and intense humidity. If the seedling isn't prepared for conditions such as these, there's a good chance they won't take to their new outdoor environment. The good news is that you can harden off seedlings beforehand to make the transition smoother and less...