planting help

[john]

ok i got a few questions

 

1. how often should i water my seedlings. i planted the seeds n watered them once a day in the morning but i didnt know if that way rite...need help to see if thats rite...also for the rest of the growth if once a day is enough i live in queensland its like 30 degrees here right now n will get alot hotter

 

2. when i plant the seeds, does it matter what light they get until they grow above the soil? i had 2 under some shade cloth of my housemates garden it gets sun in the mornign n yer and one but that gets sun all day long. i just wanted to know wat the best lighting would be for oudoor growing until it gorws out of the soil to a decent size then i know wat to do from there

 

3. i have some powder of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus that i got from my science teacher 2 years ago. i remember we used it in growing tomoato plants in class. i was wondeirng if this was good to use as nutrients i was planning to mix it with the water i gave the plants phosphorus for the roots n shhit so at seedling stage, n nitrogen for leave n growing stage. is it okay to just mix this with water for the nutrients?

 

thanks

[stonedstump]

Water them every day.

 

You need the soil warm so putting it under the sun or light will help germinate them. Once germinated they want full light all day, just remember to water.

 

I'd buy a nutrient mix from bunnings etc, it would be hard to get the ratios right mixing it yourself.

[john]

thats exactly the simple answers i wanted.

thanks man

[Dr Rockster]

ok i got a few questions

 

1. how often should i water my seedlings. i planted the seeds n watered them once a day in the morning but i didnt know if that way rite...need help to see if thats rite...also for the rest of the growth if once a day is enough i live in queensland its like 30 degrees here right now n will get alot hotter

 

2. when i plant the seeds, does it matter what light they get until they grow above the soil? i had 2 under some shade cloth of my housemates garden it gets sun in the mornign n yer and one but that gets sun all day long. i just wanted to know wat the best lighting would be for oudoor growing until it gorws out of the soil to a decent size then i know wat to do from there

 

3. i have some powder of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus that i got from my science teacher 2 years ago. i remember we used it in growing tomoato plants in class. i was wondeirng if this was good to use as nutrients i was planning to mix it with the water i gave the plants phosphorus for the roots n shhit so at seedling stage, n nitrogen for leave n growing stage. is it okay to just mix this with water for the nutrients?

 

thanks

 

What have you planted the seeds in John. Small pots with potting compost?

 

Before seeds break out above to soil they dont need illumination as long as they have warmth.

 

Don't use any of your old chemistry set! In fact seedlings in compost require no feed as there is

plenty of nutrient just in the compost for the first 2 weeks and then you start to give gentle(which is usually at least half of recommended feeding rates)feeds slowly increasing in strength,usually given once a week.

 

It sounds like you are trying to get your seedlings under the full sun straight away.This isnt best practice and it's better to start plants in pots that can be slowly moved into full sunlight after a couple of weeks or so.Depending on pot size you may have to water every day,especially if you are in full sunlight.

Get a pot when it's been watered and feel the weight in your hand.Use that as a guide and it soon becomes second nature as compost should be allowed to dry out by up to 80% between waterings as continually wet soil can give problems.So at the end of the day pick up the pot and try to guesstimate how much has gone.

If it feels like half,then water every day but if a lot less consider alternate days.Seedlings that arent in full sun don't need daily waterings,but I don't know the individual details of your grow so a bit more info would be helpful mate and then we'll be best placed to giving you any tips or advice you need.

 

All the best with it mate.

[SukonmiSkunk]

with mixing your own nutes...

 

the N.P.K. rating for a vegitive fert is 20 10 10 ... a simple flowering mix just halves the nitrogen so .. 10 10 10 for flowering... maybe just a little more P.K. than N... these are rough a guide for a basic nutrient blend of N.P.K.... plants also need other macro and micro nutrients such as copper, zinc, boron... iron ect.. so although you mix might be ok.. I thinks it better to get a blended fert... anything used for tomatoes should be fine... but I would go for something blended for roses... nfor seedlings just mix up at half strength.. as you see the leaves starting to go slighly pale/yellow.. just increase the strenght bit by bit...

 

and yeah.. full sunlight all day if you can.. how ever they will grow fine just about anywhere... full sun is definately best...

 

as for watering everyday.. this is fine... but maybe too much ... depending on how fast or slow your soil dries out... the amount of water depends on a lot of things.. so theres really no set amount... just be sure that the soil doesnt completely dry out... you should be fine...