Boardash: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Thursday January 7, 2010

Thursday, January 7, 2010

ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Thursday January 7, 2010

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Gardening Daily Tips
For You
Thursday January 7, 2010

Bluebeard, Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
Q&A: Herb Seedlings Dying
Q&A: Germinating Columbine Seeds
Tip: Control Thrips on Houseplants
Submit Your Baby Photos!
Reader Photos

Bluebeard, Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis)

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Bluebeard, Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis)

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Q&A: Herb Seedlings Dying

Question: My 91-year-old father is trying to grow herbs indoors. His seedlings grow to an inch or so, then wither and die. He claims he neither under- or overwaters his plants. He's using fluorescent lights, which he has hanging about 18 inches above the plants. His soil mix may be the problem; it's a combination of a commercial seedling starter and also soil he's taken from the woods (lots of compost he says). What can he do to get these plants growing?

Answer: It sounds like your father's seedlings are suffering from "damping off," a disease caused by a number of different fungi. My guess is that the problem lies in the soil he is obtaining from the forest. While rich in nutrients, it is probably also rich in assorted fungal diseases. For optimum results, seed starting medium should be sterile. Suggest he use a commercial seed-starting mix. Also, before he tries again, he should sterilize the pots or flats with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, and rinse them well before using. Once the seedlings are up and going strong, he can tranplant them to an enriched soil if he likes. Also, he should try to keep the lights closer to the seedlings -- just 1 or 2 inches from the tops of the plants. Give this a try... your family should enjoy an herb harvest soon!

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Q&A: Germinating Columbine Seeds

Question: I have some columbine seeds and have read different methods on how to germinate them. I know they need to be prechilled to break their dormancy. I have had them in the refrigerator for about three months (just in their package, not in moistened soil). Should I plant them in soil and stick the trays in the refrigerator again for three months? Should they be surface sown or do they need darkness to germinate?

Answer: Your seeds should not need additional chilling to germinate. You can sow them outdoors in March, or start them indoors in January or February for earlier plants. Barely cover seeds with fine soil as they need light to germinate properly. Firm seeds into soil with your hand. Germination may take up to 30 days, depending upon indoor temperature, or in the case of outdoor sowing, various weather factors. Keep seeds moderately moist throughout the germination period.

When outdoor seedlings are 2 to 4 inches high, thin and transplant them to 12 to 18 inches apart. Don't push them too hard with fertilizer and try to keep them moist but not soggy. In warm regions, they will appreciate some protection from the sun, especially during the hot mid-day to afternoon period.

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Tip: Control Thrips on Houseplants

If your holiday flowers and foliage have white streaks, your plants may have thrips. These tiny, straw-colored insects feed by sucking the plant juices, causing discoloration. Spray plants with insecticidal soap every 3 days for 2 weeks.

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Sincerely,
ArcaMax Editors