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Queston about Seedlings
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Posted by Cricketm z7, L.I., NY (My Page) on Tue, Apr 5, 05 at 16:45
| My seedlings are progressing very well every day. They are still in my basement under warm and cold fluorescent bulbs 16 hrs/day. Here on Long Island the last day of frost is April 20 and we do not plant seeds outdoors until Mother's Day. I planted White marigolds, moonflowers, snail vine seeds, coleus, Double Purple Angels Trumpet seeds (I received from Flower) etc. etc. My question is: why when we buy a six pack of pansies or any annual from a nursery the six pack is thick with roots. My seedlings do not have thick roots and are not root bound. Do they feed them steroids or hormones??? LOL. When do you fertilize your seedlings...
Anyone know the answer to my question?
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Queston about Seedlings
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- Posted by Donn_ Z 7, seaside,NY (My Page) on
Tue, Apr 5, 05 at 19:19
| Cricket...I start seeds outside in December, in paper plant bands, 1.5" square x 3" deep, sown in and on MiracleGro potting soil, and kept in coldframes. Some of this year's seedlings (veggies and ornamental grasses) are 2" high, well into 2nd and 3rd sets of true leaves, and have massive root systems. I'll start planting them out soon. When the go out, they'll be watered in with compost tea (anaerobic) and that will be the only ferts they get...ever. |
RE: Queston about Seedlings
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| Donn... could you tell me how to make compost tea (anaerobic).....or buy it? Thanks for any information.... |
RE: Queston about Seedlings
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| cricket, as an aside, the last average frost date in many areas of Long Island (which is a very big place) is SOMETIME AFTER April 20. The past 2 winters, I have had freezing night temps in May. I am very hopeful for this spring that it will be different. Around here, we do not plant annuals until Memorial Day weekend. I do not know where you are located. do not fertilize your seedlings until they have a few sets of true leaves. |
RE: Queston about Seedlings
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- Posted by Donn_ Z 7, seaside,NY (My Page) on
Fri, Apr 8, 05 at 8:34
| Cricket, I tie a spade-full of sifted compost into a burlap bag, along with a baseball sized rock. I fill a 40 gallon covered trash can with water, and stick the 'tea bag' inside. The can sits out on my boardwalk, in full sun all day. It takes anywhere from 2-5 days to steep nice and brown, depending on sun. I'll stir the bag around with a stick now and again. I keep a small bucket next to the can, to scoop out the tea, and a cheesecloth lined funnel to filter the tea as I pour it into my sprayer. |
RE: Queston about Seedlings
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| looks like we had frost last night and more is forecasted for tonight. protect those babies!! |
RE: Queston about Seedlings
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Hi Amy, We didn't have a frost last night -- we live in the center of Long Island --Stony Brook to the North and Sayville to the South. I have my seedlings in my little greenhouse. I don't ususally put seedlings out until after Mother's Day. Here where we live we haven't had frost since the middle of March, but it does go down to about 40 degrees. Where on L.I. do you live?
Cricket/Marie |
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