Light
- After germination, seedlings require strong light. Place them 1-2” beneath a fluorescent fixture for 14 to16 hours a day. Attaching thin chain or wire to either end of your light fixture will allow you to raise and lower the tubes.
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| Tomato seedlings stretched from lack of sunlight. |
- Tomato and cabbage family members are prone to stretch toward the light. Pepper, eggplant, and lettuce will stay compact.
Water
- Lack of uniformity, overwatering, and drying out are problems associated with hand watering. Water to keep the media moist, but not wet. It’s ok if the surface of the growing media dries a bit. You can either apply water to the surface or allow your growing medium to wick up water by setting your containers on a shallow pan.
- The “damping-off” fungi, Pythium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia, can quickly kill a container of seedlings if the growing media is kept too wet. If an infection occurs, dispose of the plants and growing medium, wash containers and tools to remove any debris, and soak them for 1-2 minutes in a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water. Then rinse with clean water.
- After germination, seedlings can be given somewhat cooler conditions, with a 55-60°F night temperature and a 65-70°F day reading.
ShareThisFor more information, contact Jon Traunfeld
Last updated: 12/5/2011