Seedlings, Questions for gardeners Options

[Annie]

I am really frustrated now - every time I try to grow my own seedlings something goes wrong. The seedlings start growing and than when they are about 2 cm high, they stop developing and just die off. Grrrr...

Is there any 'secret' about the brand of a potting mix or Topsoil that has to be put in the pots? I even tried watering the seedlings with liquid fertilisers - did not help. The seedlings simply do not develop the way they suppose to. I have some cucumber and some salad mix seeds in pots again, I just hope they will grow OK. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Marianna

[Muffy]

Not being much of a gardener, I'm not sure I can help much. We bought a soil tester kit. (tests the soils PH levels). Quite a lot of vegetables like soil between about 6-7 which is a fairly neutral PH. If your soil is too acidic or too alkaline this might be causing your problem.

Good luck Marianna

[Annie]

Thanks Joy, but I thought a quality potting mix suppose to be Ph balanced...There must be something else that I do not know about.

BTW your Miki is so cute, when will you show us some new pics of her and the rest of the furry banch?

Marianna

[Muffy]

Hmmmm yes it should be. I have repotted one plant & am having a similar problem & I have no idea what is wrong. It is still alive & get new leaves only to have them start to go brown from the tip until the die, but it still shoots new leaves.

I must post some pics of the furry bunch again soon. I haven't had the camera out much lately.

[fleabag]

Okay ..firstly ..you are SURE no kitties are helping the little plants .cat wee is NOT good for seedlings ...lol
I start my seedlings in old egg cartons ..then as the seedlings start to put the roots thru the carton. plant on into your pots,I find the cartons hold plenty of moisture but are not overwet ..If you water too much the seedlings will drown.
Try watering your pots by dunking the whole pot into a bucket ,when it stops bubbling take it out and leave without a saucer to drain.
Leave fertilizers til the plant is quite sturdy ..but you WILL need to give them a feed I like organics like blood and bone, and chook poo ,or cow manure myself...the cats like it too..
Do you keep them in full sun? Maybe a little shelter til they get going a bit ..dunno ..I'd try changing things bit by bit ...
Good luck with them ...

[raggie]

We start all ours in seed raising mix that is mixed with a premium quality potting mixture ( cuttings as well) in a pot that I can cover with plastic in a warm sunny position until they are well established..

[Annie]

Thanks girls. I know for sure that the kitties have nothing to do with the problems, all the seedling pots were covered with wire mesh.

It might be the sun though, I kept them on full son.

I am going to try the egg cartons, it sounds really good. Also I will mix the potting mix and seed raising mix and see how all this works. All these suggestions make sense, so I am going to try everything.

Marianna

[Maigrey]

Hi, you might have some problems with damping off did the seedlings go black and stringy at the soil level or sort of soft and squishy? use a good quality seed raising mix and try not to over water them too much, dont cook them in a window but also dont give them too much shade.
Angela
Maigrey Devons
(I spent one of my 9 lives as a plant pathologist)

[chloebear]

hi girls,
ALWAYS use a good seed raising mix,water with a water spray bottle on mist,keep warm but not hot,if raising outside cover with clear plastic,if raising inside always harden them up in a warm protected spot outside before planting them out.if all else fails there are some really good seed raising kits out there that come with a heating mat for under the trays.black plastic under the trays con also help with warmth.
Good luck and may your thumbs be forever green

[Annie]

Thanks girls for all your advice, I have planted some cucumber and salad mix again and this time I have moved them from direct sun under a tree. They are doing wounderfully, actually they are all so big that I must plant them in the garden tomorrow! Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY! It was that direct sun in the garden that killed them, I have learned a lot from you all, thanks a lot!

Marianna