March 21, 2009: Seedling Saturday

The lights and two heating pads keep the mini-greenhouse at around 75F during the day, and it drops to 60 degrees or so at night with the lights off and the two heating pads turned on low. A few of the seedlings have had some white hairy looking mold form on them and the soil around them, but I spray them with chamomile tea and that seems to take care of it. Last night I took all the trays out and gave them a good watering. This morning I went out to turn on the lights and there was white hairy mold everywhere! I assumed the interior was retaining too much heat and moisture, and I needed to provide some ventilation. As a temporary measure, I propped the top part of the front plastic flap partially open with a couple of rolls of paper towels. Later I removed the towels and taped off an area on each side, at the top, and cut a couple of 2" vents. I'm hoping that will provide a bit of air circulation without letting in too much cold air. I also removed one of the heating pads and turned off the other one. I'll just turn it back on at night when the lights are off.

So here are the seedlings so far:

These are what are left of the Arizona seedlings. Believe it or not, all of them were planted at the same time, but the tiniest tomato was quite frostbitten during the trip, the middle one was just slightly nipped, and the large one escaped damage. I suppose the same thing is what stunted some of the peppers. They look healthy enough, but one is just way ahead of the others, and the tiniest is a real runt. To give you a better idea of size, the larger tomato is planted in a 12" pot, and the other plants are in 16 ounce cups.

The larger Tumbling Tom tomato is beginning to get some blossoms.

These are the mesclun seedlings, which were started March 14th.

Seventeen of the 18 mesclun seeds germinated in their egg carton bottom.


The Arizona plants and mesclun live in the laundry room window, along with two pots of green onions (store bought), 39 marigold seedlings (9 have sprouted so far), and 12 Yugoslavian Red Lettuce, 8 Compatto Dill and 20 basil that were planted in mini-soil blocks just this morning.


Plants in the Garage Mini-greenhouse

Brassicas in soil blocks. Eight of nine sprouted, but one has succumbed to damping off. They sure look leggy, but they are nearly touching the light.

A mixed flat of tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, parsley and Chinese parsley.

Four varieties of lettuce, dill and basil.

Thirty-six pepper plants, 5 varieties.

Another 36 tomatoes. Notice the white hairy mold.

At nine days from planting, some are already developing their true leaves.

This is where they live, seen here with the lights raised.

And here is how they live with the lights lowered.

Today in the Garden:

Rain, glorious rain! Just in time, as I finished planting the early spring garden yesterday. Well, almost...I'm thinking a rhubarb plant would be a nice addition.

Happy gardening!