Care Of Seedlings Started Indoors
Once seedlings germinate, remove the container from the plastic bag. Place the container in a location that has high light intensity and cooler temperatures.
Watering Seedlings Indoors: Watering can be a cause of seedling failure, so check seedlings daily. Keep soil moist but not wet. Small, tender seedlings dry out rapidly and can die. Remember that roots always must have oxygen, as well as water; therefore, do not keep the soil soaked. Water when the surface of the soil begins to dry out.
Bottom watering helps prevent damage to the seedlings caused by a hard stream of water. Bottom watering also encourages deep root development and ensures that the entire depth of soil receives moisture. To bottom water you can set flat or pots in a larger container filled with a half-inch or so of water. Do not let the pot or flat sit in water longer than it takes for all of the soil to become moist.
Temperature For Seedlings Indoors: Keep seedlings in a well-ventilated, cool location. The temperatures should be 55 to 60 degrees F at night and 65 to 70 degrees F during the day. These temperatures encourage compact, bushy, vigorous growth while minimizing disease.
Light Requirements For Indoor Seedlings: Seedlings require bright light immediately after germination. If you don't have a sunny window or sunroom in which to place your sprouted seedlings grow lights can be used. One warm-white, 40-watt bulb and one cool-white, 40-watt bulb used together are best for seed starting and seedling growth. Fluorescent lights can be used for one year before replacement is recommended. Special grow lights are also suitable, but more expensive. The lights should be no more than 6 inches above the top of the seedlings. Mount the light fixture so it can be raised as the plants grow in height.
Day-length requirements vary with different plants. However, most plants that are started from seed benefit from 16 to 18 hours of light.
Fertilizing Seedlings Indoors: Because the growing medium used to start seedlings is usually low in nutrients, a regular fertilization program is important for proper plant growth. Apply a liquid fertilizer high in phosphorous weekly. Fertilizer with a 1-2-1, N-P-K ratio, such as 15-30-15, is recommended. Dilute fertilizer 1/4 to 1/2 the label's recommended strength and apply sparingly. Always use a liquid form of fertilizer.
