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Rhode Island

this is not as easy a hobby as one might think. its not as simple as putting seed to soil then water @ watch it grow.
im sure most of you know this but in case you need a reminder here are a few of abby pappys dos and donts.

do - practice germinating before the season actually arrives.build a nice heated chamber (maintain a steady 85-90 degrees). sand seed edges lightly, soak for 4-6 hrs then plant tip down 1/4 inch below pre-moistened seed starter mix.(before filling peat pots add a pinch of mico,kelp meal and humic acid to moist seed starter mix if available)

do not - try germinating seeds in a sunny window or on top of an appliance that generates a moderate amount of heat.do not over water peat pots either, the seed will rot.

do - after germination put new seedling under floresent grow light ( one inch above seed leaves )for 12 hr on 12 hr off lighting for at least 5 days. after that supply sun or light in the day time and harden off in cool garage at night.water only as needed to keep moist .do not over water.

do not - put yound plants or seedlings out into the garden unless properly hardened off as noted above. the shock could kill the plant and if not definately will set it way behind.

do - when setting plants into garden use some sort of greenhouse type closure around new transplant.in-ground soil heating cables reccommended if you have electricity available. a small hoop shape made of wire fencing laid over the plant and covered with a heavy towel,etc, on really cold nights is also recommended.

do not - take a lazy attitude toward protecting your plants. if you do? your season will end sooner rather than later.this message could relate to just about everything you may need to do throught out the season as well.

3/28/2011 10:28:32 AM

Rhode Island

do - place a plastic ring around seedlings stem just after planting so as to protect from cut worms. old plastic pot tops cut 1@1/2 inches high and buried even with the ground works well. soil line and cut worm ring should be almost touching the seed leaves.tilt the plant in the direction the main will fall. it helps the main grow more in a downword direction then if planted straight up.

do not - damage plants roots when transplanting into ground.
handle pot removal with care. if its a peat pot them moisten the pot so it tears off easily. no body slams please.

3/28/2011 10:48:18 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Thanks Pap, I always appreciate these posts.

3/28/2011 11:56:56 AM

Muddy Waters

Thanks Pap I like to put a ring of sevin dust around small plants for cut worms also like 10 inchs out around seedling!Do you see any negative that could result from this.?

3/28/2011 12:32:13 PM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

always learning something from Pap, thank you!

3/28/2011 1:24:33 PM

Western NY

Thanks for the tips Pap. We always learn something from them.

3/28/2011 3:53:59 PM

West Chazy,N.Y.

I can't wait for ROOKIES MISTAKES part 2

3/28/2011 5:02:10 PM

Buffalo, New York

1/4" below soil level?

Hmmm.....maybe that is why mine take awhile to pop out of soil, I normally plant them deeper....Thanks!

3/28/2011 5:59:37 PM

Middle TN

forgot about cut worms! I failed to write that in my notes last year. Thanks for the reminder :)

*also looking fwd to part 2*

3/28/2011 7:37:46 PM

Martinsburg, Pa

I think he 's saying below the seed starter mix on top of the potting soil, I think

3/28/2011 8:31:08 PM

Polson, Montana

Cut worms come on snowboards here.

3/28/2011 8:44:37 PM

Weedville,pa

thanks pap! I've got a feeling I will come up with a few mistakes not covered in your post....not gonna stop us from trying though! I've learned a lot from your posts and look forward to any knowledge you can pass along

3/28/2011 9:20:40 PM

Rhode Island

handy---sevin may help but the plastic ring is best. sevin will kill eventually but not on contact so the cut worms could still have lunch before they croak.
ps-we have never had a cut worm problem even before using the plastic ring but to me ?, an ounce of prevention is worth (in our hobby ) many pounds of cure.

3/29/2011 8:36:34 AM

Fresno, CA

Love it! Thanks for sharing the great advice with everyone. I'll be using this when I do next attempt when I do practice seeds this week.

3/30/2011 1:11:11 AM

Ashby, MA

Hi Pap, please excuse my inexperience...I'm not sure what a pot top is. Is the basic idea to put something around the stem from .5 inches below the surface up to the leaves? Basically, like a big over-sized straw cut length ways so you can get it around the stem?

4/14/2011 9:08:04 AM

Rhode Island

yes a protective ring around the base of the young plant. ---not to small though --- id say 4-5 inches across minimum---- a ring cut from the top old thin one gallon black plastic pots works well also.

4/14/2011 9:30:30 AM

Ashby, MA

I got it now... that's easy enough. My neighbor last year lost plant to a cut worm. I'll give him the same advise for this year. Thanks!

4/14/2011 9:44:32 AM