Starting From Seeds

Gregg EyestoneHorticulture AgentRiley County Office

785-537-6350

PLANTSPlace

Liquid

Air

Nutrients

Temperature

Sunlight

Direct Seeding vs Transplants

Advantages of transplants• Seeds are more economical than purchasing plants

• Grow specific plants that are not readily available

• Uniformity and consistency of the crop

• Earlier production

• Personal satisfaction

• Number of desired plants

When to Start Seeds Indoors

• Annual flowers 6-8 weeks before the last frost

• Vegetables 2-8 weeks before the last frost

• Read the seed packet

• Frost – 50% chance mid-April

• Transplant into the garden

Cool season crops – mid-March

Warm season crops - 1st weekend in May

Cool & Warm Season Veggies

• Peas

• Onions

• Lettuce

• Cabbage

• Broccoli

• Potatoes

• Beets

• Carrots

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Beans

• Sweet corn

• Melons

• Cucumbers

• Pumpkins

• Eggplant

Cool 50 – 70 F Warm 70 – 90 F

Seed Germination

Seed• Getting good germination of seed

is critical

• Purchase the very best seed

• The price of seed is about 5% of the total cost of growing a plant

Why Seeds Don’t Germinate?• Age – immature or old seed• Time – seeds have various time requirements• Temperature - Cool temps – pansy or larkspur

Warm temps – peppersStratification – 6 wks of temps around 30ºF

- bleeding heart, some irises• Light - Require light – impatiens, petunia, hollyhock

No light – sweet pea & bachelor buttons• Moisture• Seed Coats – scarification = nick the seed coat or soak

- morning glories & wisterias

Potting Mix

• There are many different mediums for seed germination

• Synthetic or “soilless” mixes – uniformity, freedom from disease or insect problems, and ease of use (Jiffy Mix, RediEarth, etc)

• Characteristics - light weight

- porous

- well-drained, yet retains moisture- low in fertilizer content

• Equal parts: peat, vermiculite, perlite

Containers• Various styles & sizes: - flats

- plastic cells

- peat pots

- planted “pot and all”

- Jiffy-7 – compressed peat pellets

- “Speedling” flats

- styrofoam

- plugs

• Make sure containers are clean – mild bleach solution (10 parts water; 1 part bleach)

Sowing Seeds

• Broadcast or sow in rows

• Fine seeds (petunias, begonias, lettuce) can be sown on the surface of the medium

• Large seeds should be placed in shallow depressions

• After sowing the seed, the mixture should be watered (misting is ideal). Keep flats moist

• Locate seeded flats in a warm area (70-75 degrees); –use heat tape or heat mats to increase soil temp

Sunlight

Quality (blue and red)

Quantity (to make more light on an

object, you have to either move the light

closer, or add more lights)

Duration (leave the light on)

Light Quality

Light wavelength forming a spectrum

Light wavelength forming a spectrum

Light Absorption

460 nM,

5000Kelvin730 nM, 3000K

Light Quantity (Light Energy)

Clear, sunny summer day - 10,000 ft candles

Clear winter greenhouse- 1,000 ft candles

Sheer curtain in window- 100 ft candles

Minimum for growth- 50-70 ft candles

Maximum needed for growth response is 3500 ft candle. Anything over 3500 foot candles does not result in more growth.

Light Quantity (Light Energy)

Clear winter greenhouse- 1,000 ft candles

Need to grow lettuce- 2,000 ft candles

= 2,000 Lumens

The Standard T12 lamp produces 2,650 initial lumens per lamp. The standard T8 produces 2,800 initial lumens per lamp, 6% brighter. The standard T12 lamp produces 2,300 design lumens and the T8 produces 2,660 design lumens. (brightness decreases)

Not only are you going to see a 35% reduction in energy consumption, you’ll also see a dramatic difference in light output.

Natural Light Duration

(Summer to Winter)

Morning Noon Afternoon Evening

Light Options

48-inch Florescent Bulbs

T-12 is rated at 40 watts

T-8 is rated at 32 watts

T-5 at 28 watts

LED’s advantages including durability, long life, a

cool running temperature and more latitude in

choosing specific wavelengths of light

Light Options

48-inch Florescent Bulbs

T-12 is rated at 40 watts

T-8 is rated at 32 watts

T-5 at 28 watts

Clean the bulbs, replace after so many hours

Light Options

Lighting

• Fluorescent lights (40 watt cool white) provide more uniform conditions for seedling growth

14 to 16 hours, continuously?

• LED- 22 hrs/day

• Lettuce requires light for germination

• Light will inhibit germination of seed of calendula, centaurea, phlox, statice, & vinca

Signs of Low LightPlants will become thin and spindly, produce smaller leaves, and have

a reduced aroma.

Seedlings

Seeds have germinated • Thorough watering, but less frequently

• Move to cooler location

• Sunny location or continue artificial lighting

• Thin, if necessary (pinch at soil level or move to another container.

Potential Seedling Problem

"Damping off disease“ - resembles cotton balls that have been stretched across the soil. It is a fungus that attacks the plant at the soil line.

- Damping off is best prevented by using clean seed and growing materials (pots, media).

- Do not allow the soil to remain too wet.

- Good air circulation (fan).

Fertilization

• Plants, especially those grown in soilless mixes require regular fertilization.

• 20-20-20 complete soluble fertilizer 1 oz/4 gallons applied every week

Transplanting

• Seedlings show the first true leaves (not seed leaves) they should be transplanted.

• Transplant in larger pots.

Hardening Off

• Start 7 – 10 days prior to planting in the garden.

• Increase exposure to natural light, temperature and wind.

• Continue to water and fertilize as needed.

Transplanting

• Punch a hole in the soil to reduce damage to tender roots.

• Press soil around roots and water.

• Early season crops will benefit from a starter fertilizer used at transplanting.

Direct Seeding vs Transplants

• Easy to transplant:broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes

• Moderately easy to transplant:cauliflower, eggplant, onion, pepper

• Difficult to transplant:cucumber, melons, squash

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. K-State Research and Extension is an equal

opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative

Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and

United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, John D. Floros, Director

Gregg Eyestone,

Riley County Horticulture Agent