1:50 PM Mon, Jan 21, 2008 | Permalink
Cindy Brummer
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 Most of the tomatoes have already sprouted |
A few hints of green have popped up in the seed flats I planted a couple of weeks ago. And I was very excited and relieved to see them.
It means my seed-starting system is so far working, and on the good stuff, no less. Most of the tomato seeds I planted have germinated and they appear to be growing stronger. I'm also seeing signs of growth in the hodge-podge tray of vegetables I planted.
The only downer for me is the last tray -- sweet peppers and eggplants. Still nothing. But I have hope. The sage is also taking a while to sprout, and maybe the peppers and eggplant also take their sweet time.
Having the seeds inside where I can see them everyday has helped me make a habit out of checking on them and watering them. I take a water bottle with room temperature water and spray each seed "pod" 10 times once a day. Then I rotate and shift each tray so they don't stay in the same place on the table the entire time they grow.
The seedling are less likely to grow at wonky angles looking for light.
Definitely don't want wonky.
The fluorescents are doing a great job of keeping them warm, too. Not one is showing signs of being too hot or even burned.
Yep... so far so good.
New additions
I stopped by my favorite nursery over the weekend to bring a new tree home. I ended up buying two new trees and two new shrubs -- typical Cindy.
I decided I wanted to plant a Mexican Plum tree in the back yard, near the pecan tree, to replace the horrible bushes we took out when the fence went in. It should bloom in the spring, need little water once established, and make a good understory tree.
I also brought home a Texas Kidneywood, because its blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. So I planted it near the vegetable garden in the side yard. We also brought home two of a Viburnum variety that blooms in the winter... they went in near the kidneywood.
A friend also wanted to re-home an Esperanza (Yellow Bells), and that also went in the front so it can soak up some sun.
New plants... just couldn't resist.
Don't dispair on the peppers. They can be slow to germinate if they are cool. You can speed up their sprouting if you use warmth under the flat. Do a web search for "seed heat mat". I bought a heat mat and thermostat this year and my peppers started sprouting in 4 days!
I always seem to have trouble with my Sweet Pepper starts as well. Don't give up :)