Science > Gardening

Experimental seed planting

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Shijing:
I just wanted to share an idea that I tried for the first time a few years ago and which keeps me amused through the winter months (although you can do this anytime of the year).  I had bought a cactus-growing kit where you set up soil in a container, sprinkle seeds across it, add water, place a plastic cap over it (to allow sunshine to come in but retain moisture from the evaporating water), and then place it on a windowsill so that it gets plenty of regular sunshine.  It worked like it was supposed to, and was very enjoyable.

But then I thought, if this works with cacti, maybe it will work with other things.  So I started saving seeds from all the fruits and vegetables that I bought at the store, and doing the same process with them.  To my surprise (and great delight), it seemed to work with most things I tried.  Gourds were especially easy, but I also got apple and pear trees started.  Pomegranates and grapes came up pretty readily, and I was especially excited when it turned out to be really easy to get kiwis going.  Avocados and mangoes worked nicely (they are actually quite similar in how they develop), and although I was less successful with fruit pits, I did get one peach started.

The one lesson I learned the hard way was not to put the plants that I had started indoors outdoors before they were ready -- I lost many of my seedlings this way, and had to start new ones the next year (depending on your climate, some may never be able to be moved outside).  I also discovered that many people like getting things like this as a gift -- some people think its really neat to get a baby apple tree started from your own seed.  I'm getting ready to do this all again this winter.

Johnno:
Yes, it's like a mini glasshouse. The heat and the moisture are kept in. I'm trying it with some Habanero chillis, no success yet.

It's also good for keeping the snails at bay.

Rabelais:

--- Quote from: Johnno on November 22, 2009, 10:35:17 PM ---Yes, it's like a mini glasshouse. The heat and the moisture are kept in. I'm trying it with some Habanero chillis, no success yet.

It's also good for keeping the snails at bay.

--- End quote ---

The Scotch Bonnet varieties are very slow to germinate (Habanero and African Safi) I started some of each back in February last year. It took weeks to get them to sprout, then up to the size where I could set them out to harden up. It was so late before they got to a decent size that I just transplanted them into large pots instead of the ground. They were just reaching a really productive period when we got our first hard freeze (early) in October. Unless you have a very long growing season, these are probably best done in a greenhouse or sunny window.

Covered germinating trays are the way to go for getting plants started early, but slow sprouters, like these peppers, might be best done in open air. Long stays in the high humidity covered germinating trays will grow moss, mold and mildew eventually, which is not good for the young'uns.

Potamus:
Hey Shijing!

I have one of these boxes (it's cheap plastic, but it works).  Mine was labeled for sprouting vegetables, not cactus?!  FUN.
About the seedlings dying.  My instructions said that the seedlings need to be removed from the device and 'hardened off' before planting.  For me this amounts to taking the lid off and placing it outside or in a window for min 3 days without tons of water.  Might help with your survival quotient!!

Shijing:

--- Quote from: potamus on January 07, 2010, 04:49:46 AM ---About the seedlings dying.  My instructions said that the seedlings need to be removed from the device and 'hardened off' before planting.  For me this amounts to taking the lid off and placing it outside or in a window for min 3 days without tons of water.  Might help with your survival quotient!!

--- End quote ---

OK, thanks for the tip potamus, and I will give it a try with my next round of hopefuls!

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