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Hints & Tips
Sowing Indoors - Advanced Method For Enthusiasts
What to sow into Clean standard or half-sized seed trays or pots (9cm ones are usually ideal). Fill with fresh sterilised soil-less seed compost to avoid any risk of disease. Try mixing perlite or sharp sand into the compost to improve the drainage, particularly for drought tolerant species, as they prefer it that way. Water the compost before sowing the seed. |
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Sow the seed Thinly over the surface. For those seeds needing to be covered use fine vermiculite instead of compost. Vermiculite helps keep the seeds moist and also makes it easier for the seedlings to push through. Don’t forget to label the tray. If not sown in a propagator with a plastic lid, then cover the tray or pot with a clear plastic bag or cling-film (or transparent shower cap!). This helps to keep the compost moist. Place the tray or pot in a well-lit area, though not in bright direct sunlight. A windowsill or conservatory can be ideal. |
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They’re germinating, now what? Give yourself a pat on the back, marvel, count them, phone-a-friend, do whatever, then remove the plastic bag, or cling-film. Seedlings need bright light and moisture to develop healthily. Excessive direct bright light can scorch them. Turn seedlings on windowsills regularly to prevent them being drawn to one side all the time. Water tray or pot from below if possible. This helps to keep the compost surface slightly dry, preventing ‘damping off’ diseases, and gets the moisture to the plant roots where it is needed. |
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How important is size? Once the seedlings develop one or two ‘true’ leaves (which grow after the first two ‘cotyledon’ leaves appear), then transplant or prick them out into large clean seed or plug trays. Prise out the rootball using either a pencil, the handle end of a small paintbrush, or a dibber/widger (technical gardening term!). Hold the seedlings by their tiny leaves. Try not to damage the fragile stems. Make a hole in moist, watered compost, large enough to take each seedling’s root. Keep out of bright light for the first day to help the seedlings establish. If possible water the plants from below. |
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Planting out Once they’ve grown to a good size (about 2.5 cm), prepare them for the great outdoors. Harden them off over a period of a few days. This usually involves putting them outside for the day, and bringing them in at night, for 4 or 5 days. If you have a cold frame just use that, opening the lid during the day and shutting it again at night Then complete the mission by planting them in their final location (after the last frosts if they are half hardy or tender). Be sure to take precautions against slugs! |
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Do they still need me? If it’s dry water them in, making sure they don’t dry out during the first week. Then keep on top of the weeds. Watch, marvel, coo and be in utter wonderment as they take off in their brave new world! |
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