Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Lights On!

Grow lights I mean, they must stay on for at least another six weeks.  I have them on a sixteen hour timer in my utility room and this is when the real work begins.  After sprouting, it is very important that those spindley little plants do not dry out.  I keep a plastic dome on each planting tray until they sprout and begin to grow.


Zinnia Highlight Seedlings


Zinnia Highlight



Zinnia Zahara Double Fire


Zinnia Zahara Double Fire


Amaranthus Seedlings (red and green)

I will have to thin these out by cutting off the extras.


Amaranthus Red

Amaranthus  Green


Snapdragon La Bella Seedlings

So small and delicate, it is diffiicult to believe that they will become 18 inch tall plantings.

Snapdragon La Bella

The seedlings require more water now and need to be checked on daily because of the heat of the lights.


Petunia Silver Tidal Wave Seedlings


Silver Tidal Wave Petunia


I will begin giving them a light dilution of fertilizer next week just to boost their strength and in about four or five weeks will begin a hardening off process that may last at least two weeks.

I had forgotten how much care these young seedlings take, like taking care of those little babies in the beginning rewarding but very time intensive.
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22 comments:

  1. BernieHWed Mar 23, 08:06:00 PM 2011

    Time consuming ... yes! But so much fun and so rewarding watching these little beauties grow and flourish. Just love the Zinnias and Snaps!

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  2. LarryWed Mar 23, 10:35:00 PM 2011

    Hi Eileen... I was thinking of you as I finally got my orchid case up and working... the idea had come to me when you did a post on considering a new lights set-up. I'll be doing a post on mine soon. We only got about 4" of snow with a mix of sleet, but 30 miles north got 12" and 17" in Green Bay... shouldn't last long as even with temps in the high 20's, the sun is warm! The only seedlings I've started so far are primulas... I like to wait until April where possible... Larry

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  3. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressWed Mar 23, 11:10:00 PM 2011

    The grow lights really do dry them out quickly, I was surprised by how fast. It's exciting to see those little sprouts knowing how beautiful they'll be in a couple of months. I've got so many seedlings going I'm going to run out of room in my garden for all the flowers :)
    I've never tried petunias from seed before, I think that'll be a new one to try next year.

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  4. KarenWed Mar 23, 11:16:00 PM 2011

    Hi Eileen, Your seedlings look so healthy. I'm so far behind you; my seeds first arrived in the mail this week. I am actually glad I didn't have the greenhouse up yet though, with this wet snow we got today, it would have been under a lot of weight. Did you get hit with a lot of snow, too? I love the look of the Zinnia 'Highlight', very pretty!

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  5. AnonymousThu Mar 24, 02:02:00 AM 2011

    Seeing your seedlings flourish under their lights, make me excited about spring! It is dedication to those delicate sprouts, but when they flower...all worht it!
    Ronelle

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  6. AnonymousThu Mar 24, 09:34:00 AM 2011

    You are one busy lady Eileen. But it sure looks like the payoffs will be good. Love the Amaranthus - one I'm not familiar with and your La Bella Snapdragons are beautiful! I've really come to love Snapdragons because not only are they huge and lovely but they bloom all summer. So rewarding!

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  7. Gatsbys GardensThu Mar 24, 07:57:00 PM 2011

    Hi Bernie,

    I just hope I don't kill all of them. I have to remember to check on them each day.

    Eileen

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  8. Gatsbys GardensThu Mar 24, 07:59:00 PM 2011

    Larry, you think a lot bigger than I do. I saw your orchid case and it is wonderful.

    Eileen

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  9. Gatsbys GardensThu Mar 24, 08:02:00 PM 2011

    Hi Catherine.

    They are a lot of work, more than I remembered but I think I will continue to do this each year.

    Eileen

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  10. Gatsbys GardensThu Mar 24, 08:03:00 PM 2011

    Hi Karen,

    I am very interested in these new zinnias because of the warm weather we had last summer.

    Eileen

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  11. Gatsbys GardensThu Mar 24, 08:04:00 PM 2011

    Ronelle,

    I think it is worth it especially for the seeds that are ususual.

    Eileen

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  12. Gatsbys GardensThu Mar 24, 08:13:00 PM 2011

    Hi RG,

    The Amaranthus is a quite tall plant and many times needs to be staked to look good. They can be dried and look quite attractive in the fall.

    Eileen

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  13. garden girlThu Mar 24, 09:49:00 PM 2011

    You're quite ambitious Eileen! Your seedlings look happy and healthy.

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  14. Gatsbys GardensFri Mar 25, 05:30:00 AM 2011

    Hi GG,

    I am surprised how much care they take. I did this on a much bigger scale years ago, guess I had forgotten.

    Eileen

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  15. Diana LaMarreFri Mar 25, 08:25:00 AM 2011

    So far everything looks healthy. I don't mind the work, if they survive. You should have some nice plants by mid-May.

    So far I have looked in two stores for amaranthus. It's not the easiest plant to find here. I still have a couple of possibilities - Wally's and Farm and Fleet. I am really hoping to find some for this year. Did you order yours from a catalog?

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  16. Becca's DirtFri Mar 25, 10:17:00 AM 2011

    Looks like you are adding a few new plants and I am loving that silver petunia. And those snapdragons will be stunning. Can't wait to see them planted in the gardens. Have a nice weekend.

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  17. Indoor FountainsFri Mar 25, 10:38:00 AM 2011

    Eileen,

    Good luck (though someone with your green thumb doesn't need it!).

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  18. joeySat Mar 26, 10:22:00 PM 2011

    May all your hard work and hopeful dreams come true, Eileen. Will be anxious to see the fruits of your labor. Hoping the weather is spring friendly!

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  19. Gatsbys GardensSun Mar 27, 05:40:00 AM 2011

    Hi Zoey,

    I did buy a small pack of four amaranthus in the red last year at a specialty nursery.

    Eileen

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  20. Gatsbys GardensSun Mar 27, 05:45:00 AM 2011

    Hi Becca,

    I sw those petunias on Larry Conrad's site last summer. He had them in baskets and they were gorgeous.

    Eileen

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  21. Gatsbys GardensSun Mar 27, 05:47:00 AM 2011

    Thanks Indoor Fountains,

    The planting was easy, now to take care of them.

    Eileen

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  22. Gatsbys GardensSun Mar 27, 05:49:00 AM 2011

    Hi Joey,

    Our weather is not great, cold but at least no snow for now.

    Eileen

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