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Joliet, IL

just as a reminder, the squeeze test of the seed starter
mix is essential to get fast and healthy starting sprouts.
my first batch of seeds for my early plant took 5 days
to push dirt and 6-7 days to sprout. the first night
my temps accidently rose up to 92 by morning so i figured i
would cool them down a bit with a drink by spraying the top
of the seed starter mix and letting it soak down. dumb dumb
dumb. i dug into the mix (another stupid thing to do) on
the 4th day to check progress to find just small radicals
and some nothing at all. but while digging in the mix i realized it was way too wet from my cool down bath that
first morning. the seeds that still didn't sprout a radical
yet were replaced into mix at the proper moisture level,
which is figured out by squeezing it. if it drips, its
too wet. they popped right up 3 days later. i started
4 more seeds for backups with proper moisture mix at 85
degrees and all 4 are sprouted today on day 3. all in
all it wasn't that bad and i went 10 for 10. but it was
a good lesson to learn before i germinate the top notch
seeds at the end of the month. too wet of mix is bad news
and may lead to slow sprouting or possibly failed
germination.
good luck all,
shazzy

4/7/2005 9:05:23 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

very cool Shazzy!

4/8/2005 6:31:28 AM

Mocksville, NC

THANKS shazzy exellent tip!

4/10/2005 2:07:57 PM

Cologne / Germany

Exactly the problem I had with my cucumber plants a few weeks ago. 4 of 16, what a success!
It´s a good idea to water pots on a plate from below, but only the amount of water the soil is actually taking up. Remove additional remaining water immediately and try again in 2 days. It shouldn´t be too wet this way.

4/11/2005 1:08:56 PM