Properly hydrated soil should clump together, but not leak water when squeezed. The soil that you are planting into should be moist and fluffy. Clones or seedlings usually spend about two weeks in plugs before they are well rooted and ready to go. The seedling stage often begins and ends with a transplant. Plants will respond to good growing conditions by building leaves of increasing complexity.Īfter 4 to 6 nodes of growth, plants should be producing small 5 bladed leaf sets that will grow to become large fan leaves as the plant develops. Nodes will develop in pairs along the stalk, then begin to alternate as the seedling moves to vegetative growth.Īs your plant matures, pre flowers will form at each node allowing identification of male and female plants. Seedlings need some time to develop before they are sexually mature and ready to flower. This naturally occurring soil bacteria is safe for use in organic gardening. Swarming gnats can be knocked down with bioinsecticides containing BTI. These pests feed on roots and can spread disease between plants. If they survive the nematodes, fungus gnats will usually hatch and swarm on the soil surface a week or so after transplant. Predatory nematodes are inexpensive and happy to chill for a few weeks in the fridge, making them a practical biocontrol for small scale growers to use. These microscopic worms will move through your soil consuming fungus gnat and thrip larvae. Many pests can be killed while they are still in the soil by watering in predatory nematodes at transplant. Some of these are detritivores that consume organic matter, but others are herbivores that can emerge from your soil to feed on your plants. Soils provide habitat for many insects at various life stages. If you start with a suppressive living soil, and pay attention to irrigation, you will probably never have an issue with fungal root diseases. Conventional growers can also benefit from the power of probiotics by using bottled inoculants. You can also make your own organic mix by following my not-secret-anymore living soil recipe.Ī fertile organic seedling mix will support root health and rapid growth. If power is limited, a small string of incandescent lights will keep your clones from flowering prematurely during the short days of spring. Light intensity is 30%-50% lower in greenhouses, and plants will usually benefit from supplemental lighting. If you are in a sunny location, all you need is an extraction fan to promote plant health. Misting seedlings can help with humidity, but liquid water on your plants provides an entry for disease and should be avoided.įor outdoor growers, a small greenhouse will give you a big head start on the season. Most indoor climates run too dry for seedlings, and a small humidifier can be a worthwhile investment. If you are growing in a tent, and your only climate control is an inline fan, a variable speed control will help you manage the climate. If you really want to know how your plant is feeling, use a laser thermometer to take the leaf surface temperature.įresh air is required for photosynthesis and smooth airflow through your plants will help to prevent disease. You can use an inexpensive digital sensor to log temp and humidity (there is an app for that). Ideal growth conditions for seedlings include 65%-75% relative humidity and temperatures of 70-80 F (22-27C). Young plants need to be nurtured to achieve their full potential.
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