To fertilize or to not fertilize, that is the question...

15 years ago

So, I have about 150 seedlings that have been doing great things, they all have their first true leaves, some have their second. Now may be a good time for some gental weak fertilizer, but... they are planted in peat pellets and I would like to keep them that way for about another 4-5 weeks until I can get them out into the cold frame!

So what should I do? Should I hold off and just let them hang out under the lighting, or should I fertilize them anyway?

I am not concerned about the daisy's, they are so small they could use some I figure, it is the Zennias I probably planted too early, the Dahlia seed, and the geraniums (pellies)...

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Comments (7)

kandm
15 years ago
Why do you want to keep them in the pellets for so long after they're started their second true leaves? Is space the issue?
homemommy
Original Author
15 years ago
Space is indeed the issue... I love how the pictures on the pellet greenhouse always show full plants with huge flowers growing from these tiny pellets!! I just need to get by another 4 weeks before I can get them into a bigger pot. I might be able to buy another shop light in 2 weeks, that might help get some of the larger ones into more room...
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digdirt2
15 years ago
I love how the pictures on the pellet greenhouse always show full plants with huge flowers growing from these tiny pellets!!

That is a prime example of false advertising. ;) Another good one is the pictures of huge plants still growing under the humidity domes on the starter tray. That one kills me everytime I see it.

Dave
homemommy
Original Author
15 years ago
"Another good one is the pictures of huge plants still growing under the humidity domes on the starter tray. That one kills me everytime I see it."

I know, for the longest time I thought I needed to buy those extra high domes to keep them under the bubble!

I did give them some fertilizer today, I am going to try and twist my husband arms into getting a couple more grow lights in a few weeks, see what happens...
kandm
15 years ago
I posted somewhere about a concept called thigmomorphogenesis, the reaction plants have to mechanical stimulation like light brushing, wind, shaking, or overhead barriers etc.

Mechanical stimulation will save you space because it slows down the growth of your plant. This might sound like a bad thing but it will make the new growth stockier and hardy and less prone to problems when you eventually harden them off.
RG100
15 years ago
Hi - I am in Ontario too and just curious to know which varieties you are growing. If you have seedlings in February - that is very interesting. Ususally I grow zinnia, petunias, basil, marigold etc but I dont start till mid -march.

Do your plants get leggy or do they just do find till it is planting time which I believe is May for us.
homemommy
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, may is planting time ;-)

What do I have growing...hmmm...

I started at the very end of Jan or 1st of Feb some geraniums and crazy daisys, ornamental peppers, dalhias and zinnias. I should not have started the zinnias or dalhias, just got too excited! But, the other three are all very very slow growing! They need to be started around then. I put them under shop lights, so they are all doing ok, surprisingly even the zinnias and dalhias. Out of three full seed trays (72 plants each) I have only lost 5 plants.

I have since then, about a week ago started a flat of various types of rudbekia. One is Prarie Sun, beautiful yellow flower with a green centre. Another is a type of double, and I also planted a type that has these beautiful oversized flowers and rusty centres. Two of the three varieties are short lived perennials.

This last weekend, I have started marigolds and coleus. I also planted a really neat type of coneflower. it has petals on top of the centre cone. I put those in the fridge though and they will stay there for four weeks to stratify, so they won`t come out until April.

I am hoping that by April, I can move them out to a cold frame.

Now I have learned about it, I am planning on winter sowing a whole bunch of other seeds. I just got a stand off freecycle. I am thinking of trying some extra coneflower and crazy daisy and rudbekia seeds. (I just can`t get enough of those plants, although many likely won`t flower until next year. I have some purple basil, and forget me nots, and a burgandy blanket flower that I am also thinking about winter sowing, or starting in the cold frame.

I also have some green envy Zinnias that will be directly sown in the spring.

I have probably spent over a $100.00 so far on seed. I am not sure if I spent it wisely, but I have a lot of varieties that are not the common ones, and cost a little bit more. I figure though, I will get about 500 plants out of it by the end, so, by the time you add up the cost of the other supplies to grow them, perhaps it will work out to 75 cents a plant. Even if some don`t bloom until next year, that is still a pretty good value considering they can cost $7-14 at a nursery!

I am really interested in seeing how the winter sowing thing goes. It will open up the door wide on what I can start next year. There is only so much you can grow in the house!

So, what are you planning on growing...

To fertilize or to not fertilize, that is the question...

Comments (7)

kandm

homemommy
Original Author

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To fertilize or to not fertilize, that is the question...

Comments (7)

kandm

homemommyOriginal Author

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