oh, I've linked to it properly..

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Starting Tips

on website they said "NEVER WATER SEEDLINGS ON TOP OR BY MISTING! Always water in the trays below the plant's root system. "

why is that?

Hi jamjam - It's a good site and often used as a linked resource for those new to seeds. Much of the same info is contained in the FAQ's here. ;)

The only point I really disagree with is the "using eggshells in the planting of tomatoes" part. it is very outdated as much research has proven that a) it takes the shells forever to dissolve so little if any Ca is provided, and b) it doesn't prevent BER because lack of Ca in the soil isn't the cause of BER. But that is no big deal.

Oh, and using tweezers when transplanting can be risky too. ;)

As to the never water/mist seedlings from the top, always from the bottom question - very very correct. First because top moisture can lead to damp-off and so dead seedlings, can caused scorched leaves if exposed to sun, and encourages shallow rooting - roots migrate to the water. Deep root development is what you want so water from the bottom, let them suck up what they want/need, and then dump out any remaining water in the tray to prevent root rot.

Hope this helps. ;)

Dave

so bottom water will still pull water up to the top part of the soil?
and how long should you give the trays to soak up water before you dump the excess?

My question is...how long after sprouting are seedlings susceptible to damping off?

so bottom water will still pull water up to the top part of the soil?
and how long should you give the trays to soak up water before you dump the excess?

Yes. And it depends on your soil mix and the amount of roots in the container. When the top of the soil darkens and turns damp, they are done.

how long after sprouting are seedlings susceptible to damping off?

Damp-off can happen at any time if the conditions are right (too much moisture and not enough air circulation). It can even happen to transplants out in the garden. But it is most common in seedlings between germination and the second set of true leaves. Once those leaves develop the stem is usually sturdy enough to resist damp-off.

Dave

I completely disagree with the idea that we should bottom water. Here's why....

Preventing damp-off is as easy as running a fan in the room to keep the air moving. I find that 5-6 hours of the fan running is more than sufficient in a dry, heated house. More if humidity is an issue.

The pots are going to dry from the top down wether you top water or bottom water. Bottom watering will not prevent you from watering too often....unless, like me, you find it inconvienent, time consuming and tedious, causing you to avoid watering all together.

On the other hand, keeping the pots in the watering tray too long, or not sufficiently draining them before returning them to the growing tray can mean wet feet for the seedlings.

Many plants are folage feeders and so benefit from from that method of fertilizing....and so long as you do not do this outdoors on a sunny day (wait for an overcast day) the plants will be just fine. Afterall, mother nature has been watering from the top for billions of years. She also has to be careful to do it on overcast days. ; )

Sure, we are talking about plants under lights here, but even the best grow lights can't compare to ol' Sol. If they did, hardening off would not be an issue, our hearts would never be broken by burnt leaves. Besides, we aren't really watering the leaves, we are watering at the base of the plant. To do otherwise would be messy. Messes are also inconvienent, time consuming and tedious.

All this is not to say that one should not bottom water, only that I have yet to come across any agruement that has convinced me that it has a value equal to the time and effort is costs. Kay.

Hello,

Well here are my opinions. Not too worried about the watering from the top concept. When the seedlings are young, and just transplanted into new containers I will bottom water....so as to not compact or disturb the newly planted seedling. A bit later...depends on how I feel...never have had a problem with root development.

When I read through the tips the biggest impression I got was....whew! what a lot of work pre-germinating on paper towels. Personally I don't believe you are getting any quicker germination with the paper towel method over another method(provided they are receiving the same amount of heat).

Other than that I don't find any unusual tips in the article...am I missing something? The tips aren't bad, you just need to try them and see what works for you.

good luck
m

Wow! Thanks, you guys, this was great. A lot of opinions and now I think I have a more thorough understanding of the concepts. I am glad that other new people found it of use, too :)

I am really excited because my heirloom tomatoes popped up today. And that was after just five days after planting. Zounds, as Dr Zed would say :) My cucumbers are still down under- they're kind of old seed that might have been heated out of viability, but we'll see. But this is so much fun that I want to try some more- if only my mail order seeds would make it across the border, already. I might have to try something from the garden centre in the meantime :)

I feel like a groovy Earth mother! Zowee..

Groovy. Now that brings on some flashbacks....kay.