MG Seedling Help Please

11 years ago

Hi Morning Glory Lovers!

Over the last two weeks I've read old threads and taken lessons from you veterans -- I am having some success starting seeds indoors (Michigan temp is still chilly).

I used a Burpee Starter tray, planted my nicked/soaked seeds, kept these babies in my furnace room covered and they are growing! What should I do next 'cuz now I'm confused:

1. Transplant the ones getting tall in peat pots now and keep them in sunlight or under a grow light?

2. Keep COVERING the entire tray and keep it warm until ALL the seeds have sprouted (even if that bends the tall ones)?

3. Keep the tray UNCOVERED at this point -- but where to put it -- back in dark but really warm furnace room (75 Deg) ... or under sunlight/grow light area (65 Deg)

4. ??

Thanks for any help -- I am new at this and (based on stupidity) I thought they'd all grow at the same rate -- or none of them would grow. Duh. LOL.

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Comments (8)

ron_convolvulaceae
11 years ago
Yes to :

#1

then after implementing #1
continue with #2.

#3) keep the tray covered and in whatever light you have grow-lights and / or sunlight

#4) transplant out as necessary

The young plants can dry our very rapidly as they do not yet any substantial amount of tissue in which to store water...
You must insure that the seedlings are provided with enough moisture so that they do not dry out..

regards,

Ron

This post was edited by ron_convolvulaceae on Sat, Apr 13, 13 at 23:14
Pines Everywhere
Original Author
11 years ago
Ron, thank you so much for the response.

I will proceed as you suggest. If you are inclined to share a little more ....

While the seeds are still germinating (no visible sprouts) ... is it true that they don't necessarily need sunlight but moisture and 75 Degrees?

Also, can sprouts handle temperatures like 60-65 Degrees if they have light and good moisture?

Tx!

Basically, my furnace room is super warm but dark. My sunlight areas are limited but much cooler.
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Gerris2 (Joseph Delaware Zone 7a)
11 years ago
Try to have the light fairly close to the seedlings. This will help to minimize their getting Ã¢ÂÂleggyÃ¢ÂÂ. If the vine starts getting too long, you can prune the end after 6 leaves to help control growth until you can plant out.

What varieties or species are you growing?
ron_convolvulaceae
11 years ago
Pines - You asked :

Q - "While the seeds are still germinating (no visible sprouts) ... is it true that they don't necessarily need sunlight but moisture and 75 Degrees?"

A - Well, rather than go in-depth about whether certain seeds need light or darkness , I'll say some seeds need one or the other or both...but moisture and 75 degrees should do it...

Q - "Also, can sprouts handle temperatures like 60-65 Degrees if they have light and good moisture? "

A - Yes, most MG sprouts can...

Ron
Pines Everywhere
Original Author
11 years ago
Great advice gerris -- thank you! I've got the light at about 8 inches from the Table top which is about 3 inches of clearance from my tallest sprout (as of now). These sprouts have four leaves so far and I was curious what to do next cuz they are getting tall fast -- so thanks!! I still have about a month before it will be warm enough outside so I don't want to screw this indoor period up too bad. Appreciate the help.

I am growing Grandpa Ott MGs. Painting my trellises today in the garage and watching my MGs and my Chives sprout. I hope the remaining 30 MGs seeds break thru soon -- they are making me nervous. :)

What do you grow?
Pines Everywhere
Original Author
11 years ago
Ron -- thanks again !!

I've transplanted the sprouts in larger peat pots and put them under the grow lights in a heated garage during the day. They are doing great.

I'm puttng the unsprouted seeds (still in trays) under those lights too ONLY when I have the heat on out there. Everything comes in at night and the seed trays go back to the furnance room for bedtime. LOL. A handful of more sprouts today!

Thanks Ron & Gerris ... I think I'm getting this right thanks to your advice. Good thing, 'cuz it snowed here yesterday -- I need to keep this up for awhile!
Gerris2 (Joseph Delaware Zone 7a)
11 years ago
You just might need another trellis for the 30 Grandpa Ott's plants.

I like growing MGs, salvias, Adenium obesum, Chrysanthemum, some vegetables, brugmansias, and some others whose presence escapes my feeble mind right now.
Pines Everywhere
Original Author
11 years ago
gerris -- I saw your collection of MGs on another thread, amazing!! What a collection you grow ... I'll have to look some of those other ones up to truly appreciate your gardening skills.

I actually planted 72 MG seeds but only 30 have sprouted and are doing great in the Peat Pots. I have three trellis's that I am painting and they will go along a fence line. I'm hoping for my sweet peas to sprout and I'll rig something along the fence for those too.

I have THREE other PERFECT spots for vines and I may do a custom made trellis or something. I don't know -- I'm trying not to go overboard with the TRELLIS's yet until I am sure everything will sprout, take and flourish -- fingers crossed.

Last year my husband worked at a greenhouse and brought tons home (some free, most half-price). I was spoiled and really got hooked on vines, wave petunias, delphiniums, hosta, and cornflowers. This year -- I'm working on a budget of "seeds". LOL I plan on putting the MGs and Sweet Peas on the Far Side of this Courtyard along the fence -- just had a bunch of Trees trimmed and I have been charting the sun.

I'll post a photo of the trellis's when I get them done. Tx again for all the help and inspiration.