paradiseprincess - just want to let you know about my hopeless runts. They have stopped growing over winter, or stayed small comparing to other seedlings. I used to feed them and treat them same as the other seedlings. But they still remained small, ugly and unhealthy. Lol. Luckily, I kept them all as I could not bin them. To my surprise, as the spring came and begining of summer, the weather warmed up and my little runts started to grow. In 2 weeks they grew more than they grew in all those previous 3 month. The growth spur was so fast that they are the same size as all other seedlings. Now I cannot recognise them from others. Please keep them and dont give up.

I will post photos later.

Good Luck!

That is fantastic news.. Thank you so much for giving me and them some hope. I wouldn't want to chuck them out and not give them a chance. We have shorter days now heading into our winter with a lower sun angles, so the seedlings probably won't respond until early next year as the days lengthen. We are always warm in Hawaii but the temperatures have dropped a little signalling winter to the babies. Patience will have its own reward later on, with any luck.

Out of interest, what fertilizer do you give to your seedlings? Is it the same as you give to your adult plants?

Hi - have u though about a small green house for seedlings over winter. Mine love the greenhouse. I feed them same as adult plants, at a lower concentrated rate. They get fish emulsion, blood and bone, seeweed concentrate. They love it hot and no wind, inside greenhouse.

Luv your attitude, Agartta! - Jody

Agartta, I am not allowed to have a greenhouse on my property because I live in a gated neighborhood which prohibits such structures.. My seedlings have to tough it out outdoors, just as they would in nature.. Essentially I do live in a mild climate with year round summery weather.. Our night time temperatures are going down to 67 F. from a usual high of 72.. Days have reduced from 89/90 F. down to 83.. We are truly not suffering here.. The tradewinds are around throughout the year, so we can't avoid those.. We shall just have to limp along with whatever Mother Nature dishes out.. Thank you for your encouragement and fertilizer info.. All much appreciated.

Since I cannot have a greenhouse, I am simulating one with inflated clear plastic bags and misting the interior to create some humidity.. So far my newest crop of small seedlings are liking these conditions..

Yes they seem to like the enclosed environment. You could also do a homemade greenhouse for indoor over cold weather. Made out of PVC and plastic sheets, or for seedlings, a big clear plastic box with holes in the lid.

Thats how I had my seedlings survive winter before I got the greenhouse.

Paradise i keep my runts i just use them differently as in small cactus bowls with a variety of suclents i have three in an old frog tank inside in our living room