Starting Seeds Indoors by Chris Turse Rooting Dc

Starting Seeds Indoors

Mendell and His Peas…
C ontain s genetic material
Heirloom
Open-pollinated vs. hybrid
Seed saving

Fertilization
W hen a male pollen cell (sperm cell) forms a union with a female egg cell (ovum), a seed is formed

Seed Anatomy
Three main parts
embryo
young plant
seed coat
protects
seed leaves (cotyledons)
food reserve

Seeds!
4-18% water
Smallest seed?
The largest seed?

Seed Selection
USDA Zone 7
E arly frost (around October 10 th )
Late frost (around May 10 th )
Annual
Biennial
Perennial
Season extension

Seed Selection
T rustworthy dealer
R ead information in seed catalogs and on seed packets

Germination
M ature seed: right environment
stratification
scarification
KEYS: water, oxygen, and temperature

Seed Storage
Leftovers?
K eep inside packet, place into a plastic bag, and then into a refrigerator
T ime of storage is variable

Planting Media
T wo groups: soilless media and amended soil mixes
S oil l ess media is generally used to start seeds
A mended soil mixes generally used to transplant

Soilless Media
S phagnum moss, pumice, peat moss,vermiculite, perlite, sand, pine bark, coconut fiber , good compost!
Environmental concerns
Key: fine and uniform yet well aerated and loose
Oxygen!

Amended Soil Mix
T ransplanting
C ontain s compost and/or a mixture of organic plant nutrients
M ix your own or buy pre-mix
Oxygen!

Sterile Soil
N o insects, disease organisms, or weed seeds
C ompost contains benefical micro-organisms and may help fight disease

Re-using Soil?
‘ T reat ’ the soil in an oven to sterilize it
250 degrees Fahrenheit
C ook soil at an internal temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit for at least a half hour.
D o not overheat
S melly process!

Containers
Must be sterile
R inse with 9:1 water:chlorine
P lastic cups, milk cartons, egg cartons, N ewspaper, and yogurt cups, soil blockers
P ut holes in bottom for drainage and oxygen supply to roots

Containers
P urchase plastic ‘flats‘and ‘trays’
Different sizes for different crops

Planting Your Seed
F ill it to within 3/4 inches from the top with moistened medium
Gently tamp down (do not press hard!) and create a flat, uniform surface
Remove rocks, sticks, and/or large clumps of soil from the surface

Label!

Planting Depth
S eed packet
T wice the diameter rule
M ost plants germinate in dark
Plant more seeds than you will use

Water!
A fter seeds have been sown, water with room temperature water
D on ’ t wash the seeds away or change their depth with heavy watering

Water!
‘ W icking ’ action works
Or… cover the container with a plastic bag or sleeve
O ne inch away from the soil and there should be air flow

Water!
Soil should remain moist throughout germination
Remove the plastic as soon as the seedlings emerge

Water!
After seedlings emerge, watering increases
If utilizing the wicking method, run water through containers occasionally to keep plants healthy and inhibit disease.
The soil should always be moist to the touch and not dry or soggy.

Temperature
Temperature is probably the most important factor in starting seeds indoors without a greenhouse.
O ptimal germination temps for different crops
P urchase seed starting heating mats
S tart seeds that require lower temperatures to germinate such as: lettuce, brassicas, and alliums

Temperature
A fter germination, move seeds to cooler temp.
55-60 degree F night temp
65-70 degree F day temp
D ifferent temperature for different crops

Light Requirements
I ntense light needed after germination
South facing windor- at least four hours of direct sun
40-watt cool fluorescent tube or special plant growth lamp (HPS)
S ixteen hours each day
6-12 inches above seedlings

Buy or Build Your Own!

Transplanting
T rue l eaves ?
Time to step-up to soil mix
S elect strongest seedling
T hin by cutting top of plant off ; don ’ t disturb roots
‘ S trongest ’ criterion- straight, strong stems, no discoloration and/or odor throughout entire seedling, and lush leaf growth

Transplanting
Be very gentle with your seedling and try to avoid tearing the roots in the process!
H andle by leaves and not delicate stems

Transplanting
Fill a container to about an inch from the top (to allow room for watering)
M ake a hole in the center of the container
Gently place the plant into the whole and make sure that the roots have room to spread out
The depth of the plant should mirror the depth at which the seedling was originally at in the old container
Gently tamp soil down around the plant and water softly

Hardening Off
L ast step - essential to ensure healthy, vigorous plants
P rocess of acclimating young plants to the outdoors from their indoor environment
G radually lowering temperatures, relative humidity, and reducing water about one- two weeks before planting in the garden
M eant to slow plant growth, not stop
A fter proper hardening, cold-hearty plants can be planted outdoors and light frosts will not damage the m (even tomatoes!)

Hardening Off
S haded area protected from intense wind, full sunlight, and very low temperatures
O ptimal temperature- 45-50 degrees F
Cold-frame is ideal

Transplanting to Field

Raised beds
Correct depth
Stimulate roots
Mulch
Water-in
Transplanting to Field

Direct Seeding
Some plants respond better to direct seeding and should not be transplanted (dill, carrot, cilantro)
Usually larger seeded veggies, root crops, flowers

Questions?

Starting Seeds Indoors by Chris Turse Rooting Dc

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