Seed Starting 101
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- Watch and learn how to easily germinate seeds at home using plastic containers you'd normally throw away!
I should mention something that I totally forgot to mention in the video: once your seeds have sprouted and are beginning to grow pretty strong, either prop the lid open to vent slightly or remove it completely so they'll have the space and airflow they need to grow into the next part of their life cycle!
Brilliant, Veronica!!!!
Thanks for all the work you've put in over the years!
And you just got yourself a fan in Egypt.
Already did the upcycling before because I am a broke college student but want to grow plants. Thanks for sharing :)
Nicely done Veronica. Your viewers need to make sure that once the seeds germinate that they should remove the lid.
Great presentation my friend!
Chuck
I KNOW!!! I added it into the video description yesterday when I posted it because I realized I didn't cover that bit. Gonna have to do a part two now lol. So many details I never even think of mentioning!!! Anywho, thank you. :)
Sorry, I failed to read it. lol I forget stuff on mine all the time!
Chuck
As always you do a great job of explaining and telling us homegamers or should I say home growers how to do things. I love how you try to save us time and money. Basics, how is the best, the easiest, and the cheapest way and you show us or explain it to us. You are awesome, thank you.
Thank u Veronica, very useful ideas. More agri videos to come
I say you come help me next spring 😂 finally buying a house with land and starting a garden is right under chicken on my priority list!
I'm available for consultation depending on location and budget. :)
Haha I can't afford you. We're out in PA and it's going to be a shit show me trying to figure everything out. I'm trying to educate myself as much as possible now to prepare.
Great tips, Veronica! So good you encourage recycling food containers for this!
Vera, how did I not know you were on UA-cam too??? I totally live under a rock.
Haha, now you know :-)
Just started out gardening for the first time, so glad I came across this video! It's sooo smart!
Great tips and good to see others using things that normally get thrown out. So many don't have the xta money to purchase lots of trays and so on.
Happy gardening Veronica.
Blessings,
Jim
The bottle idea is genius...especially for the kids!
Thank you Veronica for making videos like this. It seems to me that so many people have completely gotten out of gardening that there are not enough people teaching the new generation the basics so that they can even see if they are into gardening or not. I am going to be teaching my nephews how to plant seeds this year and I think they will really be into it and some of the tips you gave us today will be great for them to get started since they live in the city and do not have much space. Have a great day.
Thank you for encouraging new gardeners! That makes me so happy. :)
Another great video! Thanks. I also check for aphids/bugs if I over-winter, especially pepper plants. I like your sunglasses. You look great!
Thanks! Yeah I'm on aphid duty in the greenhouse right now for sure. The peppers and eggplants are the biggest tiny homes for those suckers!
Yeah, this is the first year I had any problems. Both eggplants and peppers. I use a mix of veggie oil, water and Dawn dish washing detergent. It seems to work. What do you use to kill them?
I usually just use diluted Dr. Bronners if I'm going to spray at all, or a solid jet stream of water just to knock them off on the plants that aren't so tender. I shy away from degreasers in this space, as IME they can cause damage to softer plant tissues (esp if exposed to heat/sunlight.)
The really buggy plants go to the chickens and goats if they're duplicates. Sometimes I just don't have time to save something that's completely infested/sick, so it's better to offer it in sacrifice to my compost queens. ;)
Great advice. Thanks Veronica.
I work in a kitchen and we get plastic containers all of the time. The Sanford and Son TV show them gets sung when I celebrate a good repurposing. It's all in good fun. I also get to take home all the vegetable scrap for the chickens and composting, as well as the fish carcasses for fertilizing my tomatoes this Spring.
Oh I know that song ALL TOO WELL- my dad and I sing it every time I'm back home and he's like "let's go take people's garbage" lol.
Your garden must be banging with all those free goodies from work! I'm especially jealous of the fish carcasses... such a great tomato boost.
Thanks Veronica, great reminders.
very resourceful and cunning ideas
good job of making videos thanks for posting jamie
What I appreciate most. Learning of the root system for what the hairs upon the stems can take root.
Sow when you clip the extra plant it might take root 50/50 chance.
With that in mind reminds me of cloning solution; if cloning solution will increase it's chances? Questions self too! Like how dipping sliced apples in vitamin C keeps them fresher longer. How using sterile blade to cut off the suckers reduces chances for bacteria, how also it is important not to cut the stems or leaves when they're wet, & that when you cut them you should do so in the morning as for what sun power does for the repairing. Most importantly questions self why determinate should or shouldn't be pruned verses indeterminate.
Like wire all the tomatoe worms not eating the Tomatoes.
Water the best methods to keep tomatoe worms off the Tomatoes?
Not all plants are adventitious, but the ones that are tend to root more easily from stem cuttings yes (though I generally just bury a portion of the plant if I want a clone, then clip it once it's rooted.)
Idk if cloning solution increases chances- I've had success with rooting hormone (is that the same?) as well as aspirin. Sometimes I just use cinnamon to create a protective layer on the cut part, and then plant it in soil.
Blades should always be sterile while pruning, esp if you're cutting anything diseased in the same family as many things will transfer (I know this because I managed to move powdery mildew throughout my garden one year and it SUCKED.)
Tomato worms... guessing you mean hornworms? No idea what you can do to "keep them off"- I just hand pick when I see them and feed them to the chickens. :D
I got 3 of those plug seed trays off of Wish for like $5...if that. Just an FYI for anybody looking for any. Oh and Veronica, I found you yesterday and have been binging ever since. LOVE your channel!!
Great score!!! I should check that site out since I don't have many here yet. Thanks for joining! :)
wow pleasant presentation. not a gardener but love Thai food, so perfect/simple. Pad see yew & germination. I'd feel like I'm accomplishing something.
Great ideas! I have a plant room with lots of windows and a grow rack w/grow lights so I would not need to utilize this, but in the past with only a windowsill this would be perfect!
Alright, now we‘re talking 😉 Thanks for the quick response to viewer‘s requests 👍🏻
Very informative! I love your ideas on recycling! :)
Nicee job with the plastic bottle, and I subscribed :)
Woo Woo! SEEDS! The nerdy gardener in me is getting excited for spring!
SO EXCITED!!! SO MUCH TO DO!!!
I love your channel! Can't wait for more vids. Watching from Australia.
Great tips, I'll definitely give these techniques a try!
Great ideas... Thanks for the tips.
Love your info. Looks like you just started and already have a good following. Please keep it up. Maybe a video on why sometimes seeds don’t sprout or do well-problems with starting seeds.
If I can figure out why some of them don't sprout well, I will totally share that! Age and storage are definitely factors, but I'm starting to think that not all breeders adhere to best practices for harvesting, as a fair amount of "new seeds" I'm growing this year are having sub-par germination rates (but the ones I personally saved and planted are doing just fine with few exceptions.)
Yay go support your local Thai restaurant!
Seriously, great video!
Thanks for the tips, I have now run out of window space for my seeds :) The poor little things are not going to be looking forward to going out into this freezing English spring! I'd second the recommendation for Charles Dowding, No Dig gardening is the way to go. Thanks again for the videos.
Yeah I am "digging" his stuff for sure! ;)
Hello Veronica. I was wondering if you could make a video on house hold items in the garden such as Hydrogen peroxide., Baking soda, Epsom salt, Molasses. Do these really work and if they do how to use them and when....Thanks. Love the videos keep them coming.
I'll think about it. I tend to stick to pushing building up your soil microbiome over "quick fix" amendments, as the latter are often not backed by science and cannot be recommended without a soil test.
But a quick rundown:
Hydrogen peroxide: I only use this or rubbing alcohol to clean tools. I'll also use it or rubbing alcohol to dunk garlic in before planting.
Baking soda(/vinegar): I mostly use these to get a ballpark of pH in a space. That's always a fun thing to demonstrate though, so I may film that eventually, if only to make soil fizz. :P (I use baking soda in my soaking mix for garlic too.)
Molasses: Can be helpful at getting microbes and bacteria up and moving initially, but is generally overkill (literally) in an established garden or compost pile (and you probably already have enough iron and calcium in your soil.) Would not use without a soil test- I also think it may feed more detrimental soil life than beneficial, but haven't found much in terms of studies here.
Epsom Salt: Nope. Test your soil. Many soils aren't magnesium deficient, and it can actually cause issues with phosphorus uptake. Work on building soil instead of adding things that will cause more issues.
If you're looking for more info on that last one, this is a good read: cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS308E/FS308E.pdf
@@VeronicaFlores Thanks for getting back so quickly and thanks for the info. I believe I will stick to your advice and just make sure my soil is fertilized with the right nutrients and that should be efficient with out the tricks. Thanks so much Veronica.
I love reusing the grape tomatoe and strawberry containers, they make great lil mini greenhouses, my sunflower seeds sprouted in 4 days w this method. Im so freakin excited this year to garden😁 im saving water bottles to help w watering, for aug heat n hardly any rain, im plannin on mostly container/raised bed gardening because of my area. I still have 5 weeks til last frost here in connecticut 😭😭😭 so my house is filling up w lil seedlin babies😁😍😍😍
I love a house full of seedling babies! Smells so good. :)
Veronica is pretty and smart, thanks for the informative fottage.
Thanks ... great timing.
I'm in the far north and planning to start seeds this weekend. I've been collecting the plastic food take out containers -- was planning to wash them with bleach water -- then put seeds in them. I thought I'd try a couple of methods in case something didn't work well.
I also have the other "normal" seed containers. Planning to try them both.
Thanks again.
I bleach containers previously used in the garden, but tend to just soap and water takeout plastics (though bleaching probably wouldn't hurt.)
Remember to vent or take the lids off once your seeds have sprouted! Best of luck.
I used egg cartons for my sunflowers last year and it worked out great. I'm also trying yogurt cups this year
Love your channel btw :)
Thanks for the videos, keep them coming please! Just found you and the pepper pruning tip looks amazing. Will give that a try this season!
Nice job veronica..really make my day
Thanks Veronica
I drink organic green tea, I keep the bags for months before I plant and dry them out, mix it with my soil for the seedlings, it works like a charm, deep green seedlings every time!
Great idea! I feed the coffee grounds and tea leaves to my worms. I like to think the residual caffeine makes them work harder. ;)
Funny! I do use coffee grounds for the composter, it works wonders....most of the time you can swing by a StarBucks and get the used grounds by the 5 lb. bag....great videos, I am germinating now in NJ, still cold here though.
The donut bin at local grocery store usually has a little plastic bag but they ran out. So they put some square plastic containers with a clear lid borrowed from the deli section usually used for whole meals. It was my first thought !! Seed starting boxes. I only took one but should have take 2 or 3. lol
We usually buy eggs by 18 count. I cut the lid off, as well as the little closing tabs. Then the tall spike that separates the egg and supports the lid. Put holes in the bottom of the egg holding part. Fill with soil. Use the lid as a tray to hold the whole setup. Helps keep the water where you want it. Taking the tall spike off makes it easier to cut the individual seedlings apart for transplanting. Or use a soil mix that is firm and transplant the soil clump. Then reuse the tray for a second round. They do get kind of flimsy though so use your judgement. If the carton is thoroughly soaked, the roots will grow through it.
Great ideas! I should try the egg carton thing someday... we have tons of flats at the farm that might work well.
Nice Video 👍
Love the resourcefulness of your brain. I have to watch this short video multiple times to catch the tricks. I am trying to reset my Baby Boomer brain to be more creative.
Love your ideas. Over the years I’ve used or should say reused many junk containers. A quart or half gallon paper based milk container with one of the long sides cut off works great when laid down sideways and loosely covered with plastic wrap. For containers to move seedlings into yogurt containers or quart ice cream containers with holes drilled in the bottom or really well. Sorry for being verbose
Not verbose at all! These are great ideas- milk gallons with the bottoms cut out make excellent cloches in the garden as well, and can be vented easily by taking off the cap. Love the call on yogurt and ice cream containers for potting up!
If I could offer one more idea, egg cartons are great. The plastic ones when the lid is closed create their own greenhouse. I prefer the cardboard ones. They are great for lettuce. When the plants are ready to go in the ground I cut the cells apart and plant the lettuce seemingly as if they were in peat pots. That cardboard decomposes readily
great ideas
great presentation
thank you!
I like to use old egg cartons for starters also! Very handy. Great information though, thanks!
Was hoping you'd post more
best free greenhouse : go to Subway, ask if you can have a "Subway Platter container" to show your work colleagues, as you're shopping around for lunch catering ideas for your company. Boom, free mini greenhouse.
Hahaha good plan! Provided you have a spot for something that size, I don't see why not. :)
Thanks for the vid and the tips, have a great week!
HI Veronica, (newbie) - digging ur vids!! I have been saving containers for months (suprised how many we actually use), now it's time to test the theory. I liked and subscribed and suggest others do the same :) Happy growing!
Hi, Vero! It is just one seed per slot, right? How deep? Nice video!
Yes, one per on the tiny seed starting trays, though I'll do 2-3 in anything over 1-2", depending on germination rates. Sometimes seed companies list these on the package and you can calculate and decide- other times, it's just gut feeling + trial and error.
Depth is determined by seed variety- I mostly use lidded containers for smaller seeds that need to be surface sown or lightly covered. I barely bury peppers and tomatoes as well- maybe 1/8-1/4 of an inch.
You could start cukes or melons this way as well, but definitely less seeds per pot with the bigger seeds!
Veronica Flores thank you!!! I'm gonna farm the heck out of my studio apartment
Hey Veronica, thank you for all the very helpful tips. Have you addressed the use of led grow lights in any other videos and do you have any suggestions on types, brands, lumen level, etc...? Thanks
I haven't! I've been talking with a few different lighting companies, but now that I'm on solar it's a little more tough to justify energy usage.
I'll never look at garbage the same again.great content!
Thanks! I have this pesky feeling that a lot of plastic doesn't actually get recycled and just gets smashed and piled up somewhere, so I'm all for reusing as much as possible. :)
Thank you for your videos. Very informative. For growing tomatoes in a raised garden bed. Do I need to put mesh or cardboard under it to prevent weeds.
If the raised bed is on the ground, I use several layers of cardboard to smother the weeds. It'll also provide a nice cool home for worms and other beneficial microbes.
One other method is to use toilet paper rings or paper towel rings once the paper runs out. Just have to cut them to size. Plus they are biodegradable and can transplant directly into soil. Thanks for the video :).
Egg cartons are great for seed starting, because you can plant those directly to the ground and they will decompose. Or if you don't want to put them to the ground, it is easy to break them gently without damaging roots
Agreed! I have access to those and egg flats here at the farm, but they're usually composted when they're no longer usable for eggs.
Great video!! Question?? My seed dried out for a day are they ruined ? I put water in them again and hoping for the best ! Wish me luck .. thanks
If they already showed signs of sprouting and shriveled from there, they might be dead and you'll need to plant again. If they haven't broken the soil, keep watering as they may not have germinated yet. It takes most seeds anywhere from 4-15 days to germinate (and that's with optimal conditions.)
Veronica Flores ooo! Great thanks for the fast response, it hasn’t been a week yet! So they haven’t or even close to popping, So just gonna keep watering and keep a closer eye on them.. 👍 thanks . A breath of relief
Take you Spent K cups empty the grounds and filter into your compost, use the plastic part as a seed cup, I grew a ton of seedlings this year that way. Be sure to drill a 2nd hole in each one since they already have one hole from your coffee machine. I am starting a channel soon that will be one of my first videos
Great idea if you have a coffee machine like that!
I've actually used the extra cab of my pickup truck as a seed starting area. The seeds are well-traveled.
I LOVE THIS!!! Great call on the mobile greenhouse lol
mind blown with the seed drawers
I really hope they work out! Such a great way to save space, that's for sure.
The Boney Life me too!
If I could add one more idea. Having my coffee this morning an idea flashed into my head. The k-cup pods would be ideal to start seeds After brewing remove the top,save the coffee grounds for the compost, fill with seed starting soil and plant a seed. The machine has already punctured a hole in the bottom. I’ve always just tossed out the pod and often felt guilty. Now I will have less guilt
Yeah those would work great!
What should I use to clean old garden containers? Rather use something non-toxic ( not Clorox as some channels have suggested). Thanks!
I honestly use very diluted bleach and then let them dry in sunlight, as this method has yet to fail me. But I've heard of people using hydrogen peroxide or vinegar as well!
Thanks for another great video! May I please ask you what is a good soil mixture for habanero plants?
I plant in fully composted compost with a scoop of worm castings, because that's what I have to use. If you're growing in pots, you might want to do something like 1/3 potting soil to 2/3 compost to lighten things up and ensure good drainage.
Veronica Flores thank you so much for sharing, I will do just that 😁.. looking forward to your next video!
great! I keep these anyway to reuse but I'm going to try and start seedlings now! : )
Awesome idea thank you for sharing!! You are amazingly beautiful :)
New subscriber. I think I'm gonna like your channel
Thanks for subbing!
I use cardboard instead of plastic trays simply because cardboard is a compost element that is a brown and bring carbon , it also keeps a good moisture.
Hi! Do you leave little holes at the top of the containers to let oxygen come through?
Great question! I actually just pop the lids open to vent once I see the seedlings sprout.
Can you do a greenhouse tour.
And go over growing in the greenhouse i see some uncoverd seeds.
Currently moving to a new greenhouse! Will do a tour of that as soon as it's done. 🙂
👋😊
Great video, you are lovely
Ok let me give you 2 of the best methods I've ever used in my life, this is from literally like 20 years worth of playing around with different methods of germination.
#1 If you have small or even medium seeds take 2 pieces paper towel put them in between them and mist them lightly so they stay moist, now here's the important part, in biology class people have always said "put them on a window sill". DON'T DO THAT. The reason why people tell you to put in on the window sill is because in their mind they think "hey it's a plant it needs sunlight". They're right about a plant that's already growing, but oh so wrong about a seedling. Seedlings don't like the light, think about it, they're designed to be in soil underground. So the key is to put them somewhere dark and mist them until they sprout a little root called the taproot, at which point you put them in any medium you want.
#2 If your seeds are medium to large put them in a glass or pitcher full of water, and add just a little bit of 3% peroxide, what it does is it helps do away with the startup wall of the seeds, if your seeds are floating in the water don't worry, just let them float until they drop, when they drop that means they've taken on water on the inside and are now starting to propagate. Let them sit at the bottom for a few hours and then put them in whatever medium you're using.
Good tips! I tend to not do the paper towel method these days as they're usually bleached, but have done it with success in the past. Made the sunlight mistake last year with some really old seeds and that method- I think I cooked them in the greenhouse windows lol. -_-
I definitely do the second tip whenever I'm planting corn, beans, and peas, though usually use worm compost tea instead of peroxide. (I do cheap vodka before compost tea on allium bulbs to kill off nasties- wonder if peroxide works for that as well?)
But gonna give some more old seeds a shot this year using a few methods I've learned from weed growers online and see if I can't reactivate them still! (Some are 30-40 years old and weren't stored well, so... we'll see.)
Sounds great, that's all this process ever is, just keep trying things and learn what works best for you. :)
You are very correct with both methods and I have used both methods for years now and I even made a video (ua-cam.com/video/54y-6LlEFjg/v-deo.html) about it about two months ago, if you are interested check it out. I also use a lot of recycle materials to grow my seeds.
I use the 'paper towel method' on some of my more valuable seeds, keeping them in a cupboard in my kitchen until they sprout. Some people put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in their water (as a disinfectant), but I've never felt the need. If I ever have seeds that take weeks to sprout I might try it that way. I think you should use distilled, or RO water, though. If you've got seeds that are tough to crack, here's a tip. Take fine sand paper, and roll it up in a tube, inside diameter a little larger than the seeds. Put your thumb over one end, drop a few seeds in, finger over the other end, and shake it 8 times hard. Tip #2 - Do not drown your seeds if you use paper towels. I put mine on a plate, with several paper towels. I drench everything, then drain it all off. Check them every day - the towels should be thoroughly wet. As soon as one sprouts, get it in soil. Some people wait a little longer.
Alex O thank you so much.
Perfect!
In addition to moisture and some degree of warmth, seeds are either light-dependent or darkness-dependent germinators. So before trying to germinate seeds in containers it is best to check on which category each variety is in. Light-dependent varieties need to be germinated in a bright environment so that the seed "sees" some light through the soil surface. Darkness-dependent varieties naturally need to be kept in a dark environment until the see has broken the soil surface. There are other special categories such as scarification through physical abrasion or stratification through exposure to heat/fire or cold but these are usually confined to herbs, flowers, vines, and trees.
Great tips! Thank you! What ones did you find to be most surprising in the light vs dark space?
@@VeronicaFlores Too many to list. The New Seed Starters Handbook is a good comprehensive guide to starting plants from seeds. There are numerous charts inside, including those covering which seeds prefer light, dark, neither/both.
Okay I have to get that one! It's been recommended a lot. Thanks!
u r back... nice
you're beautiful soul PS would love to visit you and your farm)
I was planning to use wire to make a frame and cling film to cover propagation trays to save money 😂
That would work too! Though I'd probably go with painters plastic unless you just really like being frustrated.
I used those little soil pucks that come in a container. You just put warm water and the hard pucks about triple in size and become little soil pots. It comes in a little enclosure that holds all the pucks and traps condensation. I planted 36 seeds and of those 32 germinated. Now the bigger problem, what on earth to do with 32 chili plants.
Yeah the peat pots work well! I try not to use them these days, as peat isn't sustainable, but I sometimes miss them. Sounds like you have an epic chili garden waiting to happen!!! (Maybe find a local gardening group or food swap if you don't want to grow that many lol.)
Oh I should also add that those pucks generally have no food source for your plant. So you're going to want to pot up into compost ASAP, or at the very least water from the base with compost/worm tea until you get them planted out.
I have moved them into their own pots by now. They have really taken off. I honestly had no idea they were peat, I thought it was just some kind of soil. I have the space to grow all the peppers so I'm contemplating just going ahead and growing all of them and just hang drying them. Maybe i should hit up a farmers market and go "half price peppers!.. all peppers must go!"
👍👍👍
I just a quick question. I like putting perlite or vermiculite on top of my soil to keep the plants from touching the soil. But i was told not to do this. So i stopped and now i am fighting spider mites. what can i use that is organic and is it really bad to use perlite and vermiculite to put on top of my soil.
Spider mites can usually be deterred by increasing airflow. Try opening a window or adding a fan to your space.
I just planted some tomato seeds but they haven't germinated after a week...I wonder if I'm doing something wrong. I also planted thai chili and brocolli...those germinated fine.
If your chiles germinated before your tomatoes, and you planted at the same time and all other conditions were the same, your tomato seeds might be duds. I'd hold out hope but sow another round.
Say, do you think an open tray could be used to germinate onion seeds with just saran wrap over the top?
For sure- I've done it this way before, just trying to find better ways to minimize my single use plastic! But it will def help.
What about the paper towel method? Placing seeds between two damp paper towels until the root pops. Is this method only for certain seeds or can all seeds start this way?
I think you can start most this way! Esp if you're limited on space or know that they have low germination rates.
On an all new episode of Farm Queen...
Nice techer
ohh nice vid . thanks i think i would use your method
Mary Jane seeds wow
Great tips, thanks for the video!
Startad some speciall seeds early as in Januari. For my own crossbreads that will get extra attention.
What are you crossing? I'm looking at a few peppers this year for the same sort of project. :)
Just chilis, dont have my "final" garden yet since im a focused on molecule biotechnology studies. but as my field of studies kind of tells, i would like to have a couple of areas to test out things on plants also. (would like to have so much in garden subject)
crossbreads of habanero and a bell formed chili. i had multiple pre-flowers crossed with seperation around each. so i have multiple different from same cross between parents-plants.
also doing different nutrition values experiment. thats also pH related. but those are in hydro-set-up.
using LED(UV, IR, blue n red) 28w per 30cm^2 / sq feet on all of them. 14h day. early planting = much trimming = good stems n fruits. maybe also grafting some in the future.
krutogge that sounds awesome! Are you documenting this on IG or something? Would love to follow along.
Recycle it before you Recycle lol I Like that.. :)
Awesome!!
I have no problem getting takeout as the best Chinese restaurant is right across the street from my house
Your windowsill greenhouse is just a few dinners away then! :)
Also use cottage cheese containers and the tray mushrooms come in.
Great ideas!
Reusable is💚 .
I just started more this morning
would glass domes work well for this? :)
Absolutely- I've gotten in trouble for using salad and punch bowls on more than one occasion. :D
@@VeronicaFlores haha great my moms gonna freak but at least the plant babies look classy in their snazzy glass dome hahaha
Egg shell?
My tomatoes and pepers seeds get leggy I've tried fans, lowering my lights, any others suggestions?
I'm a big fan of petting them when they're really small. What are your temps like, and how much light/how many hours are they getting?
Veronica Flores what is peeting? I use a heating mat not sure the degree it is set to. They get about 14hrs a day with 2 T5 grow lights. I've been top watering but have just started bottom watering so maybe that is contributing.
Lol petting, like you'd pet a cat or a dog. That sounds like it should be enough light- how close are your lights to the plants?
Oh yes I do pet them. 3-4 inches. I put new seeds in to test the bottom watering I think that is helping. The 3rd leaf is starting to form on most before getting too leggy.
nice . but can you tell me about bell peppers and what NPK to use.
Tbh, I don't really do any NPK measurements unless I see a clear deficiency via a plant's behavior... I'm more about building overall soil fertility with compost, worm castings, feather meal, etc. in order to encourage beneficial microbes and support a dynamic range of plants (and other life) in the garden.
If you're growing in pots, get a really great organic compost from your local nursery or farmer's market and go from there. That should be all the food that most peppers need.
I look at synthetic fertilizers like steroids for plants- easy to get results, but come at a cost (mostly residual ammonia salts in your soil over time, plus can be hard to wean plants off of. They're basically life support.)
If you must, you can tinker with N to promote foliar growth, P to promote root growth, and K to promote blooming. I do this on occasion (mostly P and K in the form of blood meal and bone meal) when the N in my soil is too high (like a former paddock that hasn't rested enough before planting.)
But again, you need all three, PLUS other micro-nutrients, to raise a healthy plant over a long period of time. I prefer to let the plants decide what they need when, and just give them a well balanced fully composted meal to encourage all of these things.
lol. hmm . well maybe what abt how to treat with pests that attack peppers.
thanks for the advise. You have me thinking of building the soil now. lol.