So, I started my petunias, geraniums and snapdragons all at the same time. They all came up a lot quicker than I had anticipated. Now, the problem is that the geraniums look like I would expect them to but the petunias are just barely visible that's how thin the stem is. Is this normal at this stage? I started them two weeks ago and they sprouted after five days but haven't changed in appearance at all since then.
the Snapdragons are just coming up, also real thin and very small.
Also, when do you move them off the heat mat? I just did this today because I thought that maybe that was the problem.
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superschwein22
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rainbowgardener
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Heat mat should not be the problem, the heat should still help them at this stage. If I can (re space considerations, needing to plant more things), I like to leave them on the mat until they get the first true leaves. Then it is fine to move them off.
Not entirely sure what you mean about the petunia stems. My petunias really don't look like they have stems at this point, just little bunches of leaves. Eventually they will get more of a stem. But yes, it sounds like all of it should be sturdier and growing a little more than it is.
So the considerations are light, water, nutrients. They need lots of light, right down close to them, on 16 hrs a day. They need to stay consistently dampish but not wet -- over watering can lead to them looking a little shrivelled and not growing. If they are in sterile seed starting medium without nutrients, then you can start fertilizing a little bit, very gently, half-strength or less. If they continue to not grow, I would pull one and look at the roots; it will give you a lot better sense of what is going on. At this stage, the root system should be definitely longer than the little plant is tall, maybe twice as long and should have at least a bit of branching.
If they don't have a good root system like that, the problem is most likely too much moisture and/or damping off, fungal problems....
Not entirely sure what you mean about the petunia stems. My petunias really don't look like they have stems at this point, just little bunches of leaves. Eventually they will get more of a stem. But yes, it sounds like all of it should be sturdier and growing a little more than it is.
So the considerations are light, water, nutrients. They need lots of light, right down close to them, on 16 hrs a day. They need to stay consistently dampish but not wet -- over watering can lead to them looking a little shrivelled and not growing. If they are in sterile seed starting medium without nutrients, then you can start fertilizing a little bit, very gently, half-strength or less. If they continue to not grow, I would pull one and look at the roots; it will give you a lot better sense of what is going on. At this stage, the root system should be definitely longer than the little plant is tall, maybe twice as long and should have at least a bit of branching.
If they don't have a good root system like that, the problem is most likely too much moisture and/or damping off, fungal problems....
Last edited by rainbowgardener on Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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superschwein22
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Very interesting for me to read this as it makes clear that my petunias do not look like they should, lol. They have 1" stems and have two very small leaves on top. I am thinking it must be light as I was trying to go without a grow light. I added some light this afternoon.
I started them in Burpee's seed starting formula which has fertilizer in it so if anything, maybe they are overfertilized (is that possible?). The water level seems fine. I really don't add much as there always seems to be condensation so I take that to mean that there is enough moisture.
I started them in Burpee's seed starting formula which has fertilizer in it so if anything, maybe they are overfertilized (is that possible?). The water level seems fine. I really don't add much as there always seems to be condensation so I take that to mean that there is enough moisture.
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rainbowgardener
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Oh yes, definitely need more light!! Don't need any extra fertilizer if there is some in the soil.
Condensation? They are under a dome? Take the dome off ASAP!! That is only for germinating seeds. Once the seeds sprout, the dome keeps way too much humidity in, likely kills them sooner or later, not to mention cutting down on whatever light is available.
Condensation? They are under a dome? Take the dome off ASAP!! That is only for germinating seeds. Once the seeds sprout, the dome keeps way too much humidity in, likely kills them sooner or later, not to mention cutting down on whatever light is available.
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superschwein22
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Just wanted to update you on my progress. I followed your advice and for the longest time nothing happened. All my seeds had sprouted but they weren't really going anywhere. I ended up just topping off the individual cells in my tray with MG potting mix, added grow lights and changed where I kept them. Last night, I noticed that at least the geraniuims are starting to develop true leaves. Very small ones and hard to see but I think they might actually work out. As for the Petunias and Snapdragons... I have given up on them.
With this newly gained confidence, I felt safe to start more seeds. So, yesterday, I ended up starting Delphiniums, Rudbeckias and Mums.
Thank you for your help with this, Rainbow.
With this newly gained confidence, I felt safe to start more seeds. So, yesterday, I ended up starting Delphiniums, Rudbeckias and Mums.
Thank you for your help with this, Rainbow.
I raise all of these...and was amazed at first at the smallness of the seed.
It's not too late to try snapdragons or petunias yet this year. Some varieties do germinate better than others.
I would start geraniums in one tray and the petunias and snaps in another due to their germination and growth styles.
Start the petunias and snaps on top of very moist soil mix.. I'm not familiar with burpees, but it should be okay.
Petunias have a thin stem when they first pop out of soil, but then flatten out.
Once they get started they grow very well.
Snaps' stems are very fine. That is normal until they get going.
As advised, keep the grow light down on them.
When their first set or so of true leaves are there, transplant into cell packs so they can establish strong root systems. Once in the cell packs, you can fertilize each week even if there is fertilizer in the mix...don't fertilize seedlings in the starter trays.
Just keep trying...the first time I tried snaps I did not have much success, but have improved greatly with time.
It's not too late to try snapdragons or petunias yet this year. Some varieties do germinate better than others.
I would start geraniums in one tray and the petunias and snaps in another due to their germination and growth styles.
Start the petunias and snaps on top of very moist soil mix.. I'm not familiar with burpees, but it should be okay.
Petunias have a thin stem when they first pop out of soil, but then flatten out.
Once they get started they grow very well.
Snaps' stems are very fine. That is normal until they get going.
As advised, keep the grow light down on them.
When their first set or so of true leaves are there, transplant into cell packs so they can establish strong root systems. Once in the cell packs, you can fertilize each week even if there is fertilizer in the mix...don't fertilize seedlings in the starter trays.
Just keep trying...the first time I tried snaps I did not have much success, but have improved greatly with time.