Digitalis Starts - What do I not understand?

15 years ago

Although I'm still pretty low in the experience department, I generally have good luck starting seeds under lights. Usually they look like this dianthus and salvia:

This year I started a tray of digitalis Camelot, and these little guys are just having a tough time growing up, although a few of them are looking pretty decent.

Clearly I'm doing something wrong, yet, if I am, why are a few doing so well? The inconsistency seems odd to me. They have been kept very moist with bottom watering, and I did water them once with Miracle Grow when they started looking so peaked. Could I be over-watering them?

I moved them to my greenhouse about a week ago, hoping that would perk them up, but nothing much has happened yet. I am perplexed.

If any of you smart people can help, I would appreciate it very much.

ThinMan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

flower_farmer
15 years ago
ThinMan,

From a recent post regarding growing medium, I think you mentioned that you use Pro-Mix BX. That is a general purpose growing medium to be used when bumping up seedlings into larger containers. Its purpose is bedding trays, hanging basket containers, potting flowering plants, perennials, and can also be used in cut flower beds.

If you are going to use Pro-Mix be certain to use PGX which is formulated for plug and seed germination.

We have found the germination on the digitalis to be a little spotty. We usually put more than one seed in a cell. We also use plug trays which have a cell diameter of 1 1/8" which seems to help alot. The plugs from these trays go directly to the field. If three or four seedlings have germinated in a cell, we don't thin them. It's survival of the fittest. Some seed is relatively inexpensive. Time and labor are not.

Pro-Mix contains macro nutrients and micro nutrients. Rather than using a Miracle Grow solution, I have heard some growers have had good results with watering with chamomile tea.

All of the above information is, of course, for future reference.

From the photo, it appears 40% of the seedlings will be fine. The red coloring is most likely from too much nitrogen and low light levels (which Michigan is notorious for in April).

The growing medium looks to be pretty damp. When we plant the seed, we cover the cells with vermiculite. Light aids germination. Again, with the low light levels in Michigan, we have to provide artificial light for the 14 hours required.

Warmest Regards from the flooded west coast in Michigan.
thinman
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you, Trish, for your information-packed answer. You are exactly right that I am using ProMix BX, and I'm pretty impressed that you would remember that. Although it's been working pretty well for me, it does seem a little coarse for seed starting. I will be looking for something else to use next year.

Chamomile tea? That's interesting! I could sip the brew as I watered with it.

As for light, I've had all my starts on 13 hours until they go in the greenhouse. It sounds like I should have bumped that up an hour, huh? And the medium is more than damp, it's been just plain wet, which is why I was suspecting that it may be part of the problem.

Sorry about all the rain you've been getting. It was a wet weekend for us in MW MI, but not like you were getting. I hope you have good drainage.

ThinMan
Related Discussions
It's Fall, Some plants just started blooming!!! What do I do??
Q
Comments (3)
Angel, some of my plants have been doing the same thing! I planted Forget-Me-Nots last Spring, and NOW they decide to bloom! Also, a variety of lilac, with tiny blooms, has busted out (a bit). Does the plant world know something we don't know? I'm hoping you'll get lots of replies that tell us this is nothing unusual.
...See More
3 new orchids, I don't understand what to do.
Q
Comments (6)
If you really want to grow them indoors and grow them well, they need some direct, filtered sun. Mist the top of the pot every morning just to the point where water begins to run down into the pot. Next April, put them outside under filtered afternoon sun (some direct morning sun is OK). Increase watering to the point during summer where you are watering every day when it is at least 95F. Purchase a cheap misting system with a filter and run it during the hottest days (90F+).
...See More
I do not understand something
Q
Comments (7)
My dog has allergies and we put her on a grain free dog food called Orijen in the chicken formula dry food. they have others like beef and other meat varieties but the store recommend we do the chicken since chicken seems best for "allergy" dogs - It's great - she loves the taste and she both looks and feels much better. For "treats" during the day I will give her small slivers of chicken breast I bake in oven sans any seasoning or coating -just plain, baked chicken bits. I tear it up and freeze the pieces and only take out enough to last for three days. She just loves that. It's a bit more expensive than cookies made for dogs but her health is now so much better than it was now that we have gotten rid of grain in her diet, and she hasn't had a single hot spot to deal with either since we switched her - this was five months ago when her hot spots were getting out of control and almost impossible to deal with effectively. Orijen is a very highly rated dog food, I really do recommend it since we has such great luck with it. No, I am not a rep of any kind, just passing on consumer brand experience.
...See More
What do I need to do to get started
Q
Comments (8)
Since you are building on top of your existing structure I would have a structural engineer take a look and see if your existing foundation and first level will be able to support the second story. I also agree with having an architect involved in the process. We were going to do a "simple" kitchen remodel till I realized I didn't like where the kitchen is located in our 1959 ranch and will have to do a small addition and renovations to the existing space. We've hired an architect and she has been amazing. A good architect will listen to your needs and be able to show you what you can do (and you can avoid the cookie-cutter look). We are in the process of hiring a contractor. We asked our architect for suggestions of who she's worked with and trusts. We are using her initial sketch from the consultation meeting to provide to contractors, along with her description of the project to get an idea of cost. We are also having her team do exact measurements and provide us with a schematic design package which will include a floor plan, front, rear and side elevations. We will also share this with the contractors and it will enable them to give us a better idea of cost. Also, depending on your local government (in my case, the county) they have certain requirements for the permits you will need to do this work. You are going to want to make sure you have the type and detail the local government requires in order to get your permit. For example, my county requires 2 sets of construction documents drawn to scale with sufficient clarity and detail to show the nature and character of the work to be performed, including, but not limited to: plans of each floor level, 4 elevations and typical cross section; and 7 copies of plot plans or 2 copies of the approved site development plan as required by the county regulations. If and when you go to sell your home you want to be able to show to prospective buyers that you did your due diligence and that the renovation was done correctly. We weren't going to purchase our house unless I had proof that for the addition added in the 80's went through the proper process and the county issued the permits and approvals for the work. What I found interesting was that the county no longer had this information and it was up to the owner(s) to maintain the documentation that the proper permits were secured and the work had passed inspection. Luckily the PO had kept all the necessary documents. I also suggest checking out the series of "Not So Big House" books by Sarah Susanka. She has very interesting ideas regarding space and how to live in it. Best of luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Not So Big House
...See More
fairfieldcircle
14 years ago
Hi, ThinMan,

I am curious how your digitalis are doing? Have you planted them out yet?

I am thinking of starting some D. camelot white seeds now, although it is a little late. I am thinking they will bloom next year...

What do you think? Any suggestions?

Thanks. f.
thinman
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for asking, and sorry it took a few days for me to reply. The digitalis plants are definitely looking better, though some of them are goners. Here's a pic from today.
{{gwi:621130}}

I'll probably be setting them out next week, along with the bulk of my other starts. I got burned (more like frozen) last year by a late May freeze, so I'm being cautious this year.

ThinMan

Digitalis Starts - What do I not understand?

Comments (4)

flower_farmer

thinman
Original Author

Related Discussions

fairfieldcircle

thinman
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Digitalis Starts - What do I not understand?

Comments (4)

flower_farmer

thinmanOriginal Author

Related Discussions

fairfieldcircle

thinmanOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

thinman
Original Author

thinman
Original Author