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Springfield, Oregon

I have two seeds (199 Ornskov & 1183 Daletas) that were slow to germinate (8-9 days) and now in the seed start mix in gallon pots are very slow to push up the first true leaf. They have both been in pots about a week in the greenhouse at 70 degrees. The first true leaves are visible but too small to tell which direction to orient them in the ground. Any suggestions on how to speed them up like maybe some dilute fish/seaweed? Thanks for any ideas, Jim

5/20/2006 2:04:47 PM

North Smithfield, RI USA

You need more heat ! I had the same problem and raised the heat to 90-95 as Pap Advised. Also it seams like starting in larger containors causes this to happen. 4 inch pots and transplant to larger after cots emerge. Just trying to help !!!!

5/20/2006 5:17:29 PM

Applying "bottom heat" i.e. grow mat, will encourage root growth, root growth means plant growth, I wouldn't add any dilute ferts untill those first leaves open. You can use a magnifying glass and find that leaf tip if you elect to go straight to the patch.

5/20/2006 5:38:25 PM

Puyallup, WA

70°F is "nothing"! In order to get these mutant plants off to a rapid start they need about 85°F...or more.

5/20/2006 7:25:58 PM

milford, CT,

I was having a similar problem in my hoophouses. Last week I kept them open so as not to overheat..the inside temps were about 75 deg and growth was very slow. This week I only left a corner of the front open and the inside temps were 88-90 deg. The plants took off growing once I kept the temps at a sustained 85 +. Another lesson learned! Mark

5/20/2006 9:26:40 PM

Syracuse, NY

just so you know beforehand, they will also seem to take forever to "do anything" once they are in the ground, like a week and a half before the first true leaf gets to be
like 7 inches across, but the roots are developing underground so that once warm weather does hit hard, the plant itself will get into high gear and start showing its
true potential. like, the roots need to be there to support massive up-top growth------good luck---eric g

5/22/2006 1:40:03 AM

Springfield, Oregon

My other six plants that I started the same day as the Ornskov and Daletas have been out in the patch for two weeks now and are all about 2 feet across. These two slow boats have true leaves the size of a quarter. Thanks to all the help I've put them back into my germ. box at 85 degrees and they seem to be doing better. Thanks again, Jim

5/22/2006 12:47:00 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

To everyone who responded: see one of the early entries to my diary regarding germination. It shows how to build a germination box which promises 100% results. No more hit-and-miss.

8/12/2006 2:05:34 PM