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Minnesota

Okay, I'm new to growing these Dill's Atlantic Giant seeds and I just got them about a week ago. Anyway, I started my seeds off by filing the edges, soaking them, and then placing them in a plastic bag into a cooler that I kept warm. They all had sprouted the next day. So, I planted them into my pots when their roots were about a half inch long. I planted them 1" deep in the soil, watered the soil, and put plastic wrap on top of the cups to keep the moisture in. 3 days after I had planted them I was getting suspicious and checked the seeds to see that all of them were dead. All the roots that were once there were no more.

Where did I go wrong? I'm starting some new seeds now just in time for the season, hopefully.

5/22/2001 5:08:15 PM

Saskatoon, SK

No expert either but I have heard others talk about how fragile the root is on the new seedlings. I suspect transplant damage. I have decided that next year I will direct seed.

5/22/2001 7:51:21 PM

Herndon, VA

The root is fragile, so be careful transplanting. I have never used plastic wrap and all 8 of my germinated seedlings came up this year. The soil should be moist but make sure you have good drainage; don't let 'em soak in mud. Also, keep them warm; around 75-80 degrees. Good luck! Bruiser.

5/22/2001 9:39:40 PM

Minnesota

Okay, thanks everyone! I think I went wrong with the soil. I think I might have made it too wet and the water had no way of escaping and caused the root to deteriorate. Could this be?

What should I do this time? I started some more seeds and I expect to plant them in the next couple of days. Do what I did before but don't soak the soil as much? How much water does a styrofoam sized cup need so I don't soak it?

5/22/2001 11:49:34 PM

Connecticut, USA

Make sure you use seed starting mix soil. Water the soil BEFORE putting the seed in. Don't make mud. The soild just needs to be moist. Plant the seed about half an inch down and cover the pot with plastic wrap. This will help keep the moisture in. Put the pot in a warm place, like the top of the fridge. Don't water or remove the plastic until the plant comes up.

5/23/2001 6:30:05 AM

Webster, NY

I'm not an expert, but I did all the same things you did, except, after the seeds germinated, I placed them in good seed started soil in peat pots. I watered the soil before planting the rooted seeds. I then left them uncovered and placed them in full sun. I treated them like my other plants. When they looked dry on the top they got watered. When it looked like it would get cold, I brought them inside and then outside the next morning. All my seeds have sprouted. I hope this helps...

5/23/2001 3:02:51 PM

Modesto, CA

I like to file the tips of my seeds and soak them in warm water. I then put them in 6" peat pots, tips down. The weather here has been in the 80s to 90s lately so I left the pot outside to germinate. I have been giving it diluted solution of fish & seaweed fertilizer in the water and then I just give it water when it looks dry. The peat pot is about to go into the ground but I will probably cut the bottom of the peat pot out to help the roots. Good luck everyone.

5/23/2001 3:54:35 PM

Mid Michigan

I filed the edges of mine, but not the tips, and soaked them in warm water for about 4 hours. Planted them in coffee cans with the bottoms cut out, and the plastic lid on bottom, with holes punched to allow drainage. They sprouted in 4 days, and grew way fast with grow lights keeping them warm in the house. I lost the 1056.5 stellpflug during transplanting, but the 896 Wells has 5 leaves now, and is going crazy!!
Be careful when you transplant 'em outside!!

5/23/2001 4:41:52 PM

Rexburg, Idaho (brianchristensenmd@gmail.com )

To bad to hear about your seeds. I presprouted my backups and the direct seeded them in the garden. By the time I carried my seed to the gardent with its exposed root I had broken the 1/4 inch of root off that was coming out of the seed. I went ahead and planted it to see how it would do. To my amazement it came up just as fast as the two that I did not break and the plant continues to look good. It's now at the two leaf stage. So perhaps they are not quite as fragile as we think. I would not recommend breaking them on purupose! LOL

5/24/2001 8:57:45 AM

Minnesota

Thanks guys, I sholdn't have gotten my dirty so muddy :) I planted my newly sprouted seeds yesterday and I guess I'll see if they are still alive in the next few days or so.

5/24/2001 6:21:07 PM

South Hill, Virginia

Somewhere on this site I saw Len's technique of starting seeds and I figured if it was good enough for him it was good enough for me. I chipped off the point of my seeds with my fingernail and planted them flat in some seed starting mix. All nine seeds I started this year came up. I actually had my best luck when kept them warm for a few days in their peat pots and then just stuck the whole pot in the hill before the plants even broke the surface. When I did this all the plants came up without the casings attached.

5/25/2001 11:20:16 PM