Seedling Care

It’s been a few weeks since Karen started her leek and onion seedlings, and they are looking healthy!

Now that they’ve sprouted, it’s time to give them a trim and set them under grow lights.  Trimming the seedlings promotes stronger growth in several ways:  more light can get to the base of the stems, air circulation between the seedlings is improved, and the plants develop a stronger root system.  Also, depending on the plant, pinching back the tops can lead to the development of more branches and a fuller plant.

Trim back the tops of your seedlings when they are young, usually after the development of the first true leaves.  Cut just above the leaf node, and set the seedlings under grow lights or in a bright, sunny and warm window. 

                    

Karen uses flat-panel grow lights for good coverage, and she adjusts them higher as the seedlings grow.  The ideal distance between the grow light and the seedlings is 6-12” depending on the brand and functionality of your light.  Follow manufacturer’s instructions for setting the distance, and be sure to check for light stress (scorched leaves) and adjust the distance accordingly.  Seedlings need a dark-light cycle to develop properly, so be sure to turn the grow lights off overnight.  If in a cold or drafty room, you may want to set the pans on a heat mat set to 65⁰ F overnight.

Water your seedlings frequently from the bottom.  The seedling trays should be in a pan into which you can pour water so the soil can absorb the moisture.  When the level of water in the pan is near empty, add additional water.  Seedlings under grow lights may need more frequent watering, so check them twice a day.

Community garden members have been invited to a seed swap next weekend, so we'll hopefully have many more seedling starts in the weeks ahead!