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A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
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A: Sorting out the larger
lumps and twigs from the "Clover" Multipurpose Compost I am using as my
seed sowing medium. Taking out the larger lumps and twigs etc; makes it
easier to part the seedlings roots when pricking out, as does the
addition of plenty of horticultural sand. The small solid plastic tray
came courtesy of a Chinese takeaway and I made holes for drainage.
B: The tray is filled right to the top and firmed and the seed
packet is chosen ready for sowing.
C: Having made my choice a label of the cross is written ready
for insertion into the tray.
D: A very small amount of Silver sand to just cover the base is
placed in a small whiskey glass. Do not use too much sand as it will
become encrusted on the surface and the germinating seedlings will not
be able to break through to the light. I use a glass as a plastic
container will create static electricity when shaken and some of the
seeds will adhere to the sides and not flow out with the sand.
E: The desired amount of seed is tipped into the glass which is
then given a circular motion shaking to mix the seed with the sand. I am
careful not to lose any out of the top when shaking the glass. |
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F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
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F: With the label
inserted into the tray the glass is held about 2 inches above the
compost with the lip angled upwards.
G: With a left to right forward movement shake the sand/seed
mixture out onto the compost.
H: Having reached the end of the tray turn it sideways and repeat.
I: Continue sowing and turning the tray until all of the seed has
been sown. Remember to keep the lip of the glass angled upwards
because if you tip the last bit out you will cause the last few seeds to
cluster on the compost.Be sure to clean out the glass before using it
for your next sowing with a different cross. Once sown the tray is
immersed in warm water containing Cheshunt Compound mixed as per the
instructions on the container. Remove when moisture is just visible on
the surface and allow to drain before placing in a heated propagator.
J: This is my self made heated propagator. The heating is
thermostatically controlled heated wire sunk into washed sand. It
is set to heat between 65°F to 70°F and is under an open heated bench
with a light above that is controlled to give the seeds 16 hours a day
light. |
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K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
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K: Once all of the seed trays have been placed in the propagator
any spare space is filled with pots and trays of cutting tubers to give
them an early start and filling the propagator helps to retain the heat.
L: Keep a close eye on the trays and after about 10 days
extremely small seedlings will begin to appear in various trays. Once
they are noticed I place the tray on the open heated bench above the
propagator.
M: The open heated bench above the propagator. Heated by under soil
wire set to heat between 60°F to 65°F. The air temperature is maintained
around 45°F to 50°F by a Parwin Heater. A twin strip "Grolux" tube fitting
is again set to give 16 hours of light to the growing seedlings and the
greenhouse glass is covered with bubble plastic to conserve heat.
N: Various trays of germinated seedlings and cutting tubers on the
open heated bench.
O: Trays of seedling on the open bench in various
stages of growth. |
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P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
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P:
Seedlings with one true leaf ready for pricking out.
Q: A different tray of seedlings that should have been pricked out
sooner. I use a small plastic stick to make a hole in the new compost
and the tweezers to raise and transport the seedling to it's new home.
R: The roots are fragile and care should be taken when teasing
them apart from their neighbours and also when transplanting them.
S: Holding the seedling with the tweezers whilst transporting them.
T: Seedlings pricked out into standard sized seed trays. The two
trays on the left have been filled with "Clover" Multipurpose Compost
with the two on the right being filled with my own "Kekkila" Peat
compost mix. These trays have been placed on the open heated bench and
their next move will be into single modular insert pots containing 15
per tray. All necessary subsequent watering of the trays is done by
immersion in warm water with Cheshunt Compound added as per the
instructions on the container. Keep a close watch on the seedlings at
all times to be able to correct any problems that may arise from
transplanting them. Should you feel that after about 4 weeks the
seedlings are "standing still" then a weak feed of Calcium Nitrate will
be of benefit to the young plants. |
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OTHER PAGES BY DAVE STAINES
BEGONIAS MY HOBBY
INTRODUCTION PREPARATIONS
PLANTING
PROPAGATING |
