Seedlings Need Bright Light

Once a seedling emerges from beneath the soil, both the amount of bright light and the duration of light are important. Seedlings need 14-16 hours of bright light to grow strong & study. If you notice your seedlings are elongating & stretching, they are not receiving enough light.

When I am growing seedlings, I use HO T5 fluorescent of LED fixtures that hold up to four lamps. These setups will provide the intense light that young seedlings need. The goal is to deliver even amounts of light to the entire seed tray - even the edges.

My Seedling Grow Light Set-up

I like to create grow shelves for my seedlings and cuttings with an adjustable shelving unit. I make shelves different heights for different sized plants, so I can move them around as they grow. I use large 4-foot fluorescent light fixtures (which can hold both HO T5 fluorescent and T5 LEDs) on these shelves in my garage, where there is no ambient light available.

If you have wire shelving in your garage, be sure to purchase plastic shelf covers so they will contain any water drainage.

Some seedlings can be planted deeper in the soil than they were growing. Look below. Can you see the fuzzy part of the tomato stem that has a purple tint? You can bury that portion of tomato stem under the soil, as it will develop new adventitious bracing roots from that part of the stem.

So, if you accidentally waited too long to transplant, or your seedlings stretched due to lack of light, you can get your seedling back on track by planting a little deeper.

Once I've checked the root system of my tomato plug & found it large enough for bumping up I filled a 4" pot with loose potting mix, then used a dibber to make a plug-sized hole for the tomato seedling. I dropped it into the hole & then gently pressed soil about the root ball & covered any exposed root area with some additional potting mix.

If you sniped this seedling off right at the soil line, you could also use it as a stem-tip cutting—the stem will grow new roots from the purple area.

Plant Parenting Book

Once your seeds have germinated, it is time to thin their numbers. This part can be tough—no one wants to kill the seedlings they just grew.

When too many seeds germinate too closely together, the seedlings can struggle. It is tempting to let them all continue to grow, but your seedlings will be better off if you cull the weakest ones. More than one seedling per cell causes too much shading and resource competition, resulting in weaker seedlings overall.

After your seeds have sprouted, choose the strongest, stockiest seedling in each cell and snip the remaining seedlings at the base. Throw the excess seedlings on your salad or feed them to any critters that would appreciate some greens.

Maintaining proper moisture is key to successful germination and healthy seedlings. The growing media should always be damp to the touch, like a wrung-out sponge. Never let it dry out, but don't let it stay too soggy either.

One trick to maintaining even moisture as seeds germinate and keep the surface of the soil from drying out is to sprinkle a thin layer of a material such as coir or vermiculite on top of the soil. I prefer to use coir. These materials will hold additional moisture, which can help prevent your seeds from drying out before they germinate.

Coir is a lightweight material made from the byproduct of coconut husks. It absorbs and holds water, while aerating the soil. Coir typically comes in a compressed block that you soak in water to rehydrate. After it soaks up water, coir becomes light and fluffy.

Two common mistakes that new plant propagators make include transplanting young seedlings or clones before they've developed a large enough root system -- or waiting too long to transplant. If you’re not sure how to gauge when a young plant is ready for transplanting to a larger container, the root system will tell you.

After gently removing two plugs from the growing tray, I can see that the tomato seedling on the left has rooted completely to the bottom of the cell and is ready for transplanting. The plug on the right belongs to a slower-growing dwarf variety; its root system hasn’t quite filled the entire plug and some soil has fallen away when I removed it.

If you transplant too soon, you risk failure,since the root system isn't big enough to handle the disruption or a bigger pot with more soil.

Waiting too long may stunt the plant & they may not recover.

When it comes to plant cloning, you'll probably take more stem cuttings than any other type. Herbs are a fantastic place to start multiplying your outdoor garden this spring as they are easy and quick to root by stem-tip cuttings.

Above, I used small short snips to remove a 2-inch section that contains two or three nodes along the stem. Each of these herbs will typically root directly in water, if I choose not to root them in a growing media. Make sure to remove any leaves that will be below the water or soil line.

Don't overcrowd your cuttings. While you must maintain humidity around the cuttings during rooting, they also need good air circulation. Rooting media should be kept moist, but not soggy.

Herb tip cuttings can also be rooted in a lightweight growing media. Dip cutting in rooting hormone before sticking them. And be patient: while most herbs root relatively quickly, you will find that different plants will require more time than others.

Are you wondering when to start seeding your spring & summer vegetables? For all crops, you have to take the days-to-harvest into consideration.

The number of days-to-harvest can vary significantly, depending on whether you direct seed a crop into the garden or first grow a transplant. If you direct seed your crop into the garden or the container in which it will grow indoors, the days-to-harvest number on the seed packet is calculated from the date of germination.

Tropical crops, such as eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes, are typically started early indoors as transplants, allowing for bigger plants in the outdoor garden once temperatures are appropriate. For these crops, the days-to-harvest is counted from the date they are transplanted into their final container or outdoor garden location.

This is why you see southern gardeners starting their tomato seeds seeds indoors in January.

Unboxing: Succulents for Your Indoor Garden

If you know me, you know I'm a big fan of tiny plants and unusual succulents, and am always on the hunt for new plants to collect. With many of you sheltering in place right now and spending a lot of extra time with your gardens and houseplants, I thought now would be a great time to share one of my favorite online retailers of unique plants.

I recently received a box of amazing Petite Prince succulents (some in their Plant Poppers line) from Little Prince of Oregon Nursery and wanted to share some of the amazing tiny plants they sent me. I'm often asked which type of succulents can be grown indoors with lower light levels, so I in the video I thought I'd share some of the plants I received that are perfect for beginners or indoor gardeners without a lot of space, specifically species and varieties of Haworthia.

At the end of my video I list all of the species Little Prince included in my box, and below I've added photos and descriptions of the species they currently have available at their retail shop. There were a few species I received that they don't quite yet have available, so I'll include those on a future post once they are ready!

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Available Plants Included in my Unboxing

Click on the images of each plant if you want to visit the Little Prince retail shop!

Haworthia chloracantha var. denticulifera

So, I believe the current accepted botanical name for this plant is Haworthia chloracantha var. denticulifera - however it may be sold under the synonym Haworthia angustifolia or Haworthia angustifolia var. denticulifera (but I understand these to be older now synonyms - if you ave updated info on this please let me know!)

is an easy-to-grow haworthia featuring adorable, narrow, lanceolate leaves in a dense clump. I love this species because it looks fairly different from many other Haworthia. Tiny and compact for tiny pots! Low to Medium light.

Alligator Plant, Haworthia tessellata

Haworthia tessellata is an interesting, star-like rosette of thick, rough, green succulent leaves with distinct veining that looks oddly like alligator skin. In full sun the tough leaves will turn brownish-red in color. I absolutely love the striking leaf pattern on this species and it can be kept in truly tiny pots. Low to Medium Light.

Thimble Cactus, Mammillaria gracilis fragilis

This adorable, compact-growing cactus, nicknamed Thimble Cactus, features bright green cylindrical offsets each with a network of white spines. The offsets have a tendency to roll off, so handle with care. In fact, you won't always find this species shipped from online sources because it's so delicate (hence the subspecies fragilis). You need bright light for this cactus so place it under grow lights.

Echeveria globulosa

Echeveria globulosa is an adorable succulent with tiny, chunky, pointed leaves growing in a dense rosette. SO PHAT. New growth will emerge lime green and upright, but mature to blue-green and more outward-facing. Medium to bright light.

Echeveria chihuahensis

Echeveria chihuahensis features chunky, scalloped, bluish-gray succulent leaves with pink margins and tips in a rosette. The pink color intensifies when the plant is joyfully stressed. A really beautiful and colorful tiny specimen for medium to bright light.

Haworthia ‘Universe’

This form of Haworthia features thin, upward turned lanceolate leaves with white spots and ribs. Provide a well-drained soil away from reflected heat. Once established, water infrequently during the hot season. Fabulous foliage contrast and texture. Low to Medium Light.

Fairy Washboard, Haworthia limifolia

Nicknamed Fairy Washboard for its characteristic white, raised ridges, Haworthia limifolia is sure to impress! Features dramatically whorled, outward growing leaves. Haworthia is a small, slow-growing, low maintenance plant. Low to Medium light.

Leatherpetal, Echeveria rusbyi

Echeveria rusbyi, also called Leatherpetal, features adorable rosettes with dusty pinkish brown to blue-green leaves. Will grow in a tight cluster of rosettes. Displays white to yellow, star-shaped flowers with red banding. Medium to Bright light.

Zebra Plant, Haworthia ‘Superfasciata’

Haworthia ‘Superfasciata' is a s temless, clustering succulent with green pointed leaves wearing white spots. A small, slow-growing, low maintenance plant. It will bloom in summer with small white flowers. Provide a well-drained soil away from reflected heat.Low to Medium light.

Haworthia herbacea

Haworthia herbacea is a slow growing succulent featuring yellowish-green foliage with firm, hairy spines and glassy white edges. Pointed leaves curve upwards in a dense rosette that is low to the ground. It will bloom in summer with creamy-white flowers with pink tips. Low to Medium Light.

Sedeveria ‘Blue Elf’

Sedeveria ‘Blue Elf’ (Sedum x Echeveria) is a wonderful hybrid succulent known for its pastel colors and repeating blooms. The rosettes feature pointed, blue-green succulent leaves flushed with pink. Displays an explosion of bright, yellow, star-shaped flowers on a thin stalks. Medium to Bright light.

Haworthia ‘Super Big Band’

Stemless, clustering succulent with green pointed leaves wearing white spots. A small, slow-growing, low maintenance plant. It will bloom in summer with small white flowers. Provide a well-drained soil away. Low to Medium light.

Calico Hearts Plant, Adromischus rupicola

Look at these chubby, speckled leaves! Adorbs! (Kinda reminds us of a frog.) Adromischus rupicola, aka Calico Hearts Plant is a dwarf, succulent shrublet that grows up to 3 inches tall. If you are lucky enough to get a bloom, the flowers are pale yellow and sit upon a tall fluorescence. Medium to Bright light.

Echeveria graptopetalum filiferum

SO PRETTY...Echeveria graptopetalum filiferum is a gorgeous rosette with a delicate, fine red filament that tips each leaf. A small, slow-growing, low maintenance plant. Provide a well-drained soil away. Low to Medium light.

Little Prince or Oregon did not pay to sponsor this post or my video. I do have affiliate links with them for their retail shop. I just happen to love them and they are super nice people - and they have fab plants!