April 2, 2012 - What to Do, What to Do?

I'm leaving for a short holiday tomorrow. I'll only be gone three or four days, but I'm already worrying about my seedlings. I'm wondering if I should have my granddaughter, who will be dog sitting, turn the lights on and off and risk drying out the plants, or leave the lights off for 3-4 days and be assured they won't dry out with just the natural light in the room (very little). I don't think having her water them would be an option, as it requires packing them all into the kitchen and removing each one from its carrying container, then watering them in the kitchen sink and letting them drain before returning them to their carrying containers and back to the shelves. I suppose I could just have her spritz them with the spray bottle, which would be of some benefit over letting them dry out, but I think the 3-4 days of no artificial lights might just be my best option.

Speaking of those seedlings......I have been out in the garden, digging, hauling, hoeing, building and planting for many days this late winter/early spring, and my old body has held up pretty well. I haven't suffered from very many aches and pains through it all. But yesterday I spent a few hours standing at the kitchen sink, up-potting a bunch of zinnias and some veggies, and the burning pain between my shoulder blades was relentless! I had to take Tylenol every four hours just to make it through the day!

The zinnias had grown so quickly in their soil blocks made of "the potting mix that shall not be named", that their roots had grown inches out of the blocks! Normally I don't have a problem with that happening, as the roots usually air prune. Not these. I ended up potting each one into a 5-oz. plastic cup, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that will hold them for another four weeks. I really do not want to have to up-pot them into the 16 oz. cups, there are way too many.



Zinnias


More zinnias, and a few of the later planted tomatoes, peppers and my four (count 'em) marigolds. Marigolds have been replanted, but these were old seeds so may no longer be viable. If I don't have marigolds growing by the weekend, new seeds will be purchased and planted.


A dozen peppers in various stages of growth.


A dozen of the medium sized tomato plants. With 4-5 weeks left until planting time, I wish they were all this size.


Seven of the tomatoes had to be up-potted to the 16 oz. cups already.



And that was the end of the day's up-potting.


Seedlings in various stages of growth.


This flat of seedlings isn't showing much growth. They were planted in a different potting mix and fertilized with fish emulsion, but they are all laggers. I planted more seeds of the broccoli and cabbages yesterday, using "the potting mix that shall not be named", and I have a feeling they will soon surpass this bunch in growth.

48 comments:

  1. You could get a light timer. That is what I do. I'd never remember to turn them on in the morning otherwise. I'd be able to remember to turn them off because they would light up our bedroom at night otherwise.

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    1. Daphne, I have a timer, that's not the problem. The lights tend to dry the seedlings out in about two days, and I won't be here to water them. Now I'm thinking I might just raise the lights up rather high, so they won't be so warm on the plants. I think a high-up light might be better than no or low light.

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  2. Isn't it amazing how something like potting mix can make such a huge difference. I also used two different mixes and had the same results.

    My zinnias do not look as good as yours and I get to plant outside in less than two weeks!

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    1. Christy, in the past I always used ace potting mix from Ace Hardware and had excellent results. This year I bought a different brand from Lowe's, and I'm not happy with the results at all. I also used Burpee's seed starter, and wan't impressed. The "potting mix that shall not be named" has provided the best germination and growth.

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  3. Potting mix makes all the difference (given it is all I can ever use) and it took me lots of trial and error until I found my own 'potting mix that shall not be named'. Good luck with the seedlings and I'll keep my fingers crossed that they survive the short break.

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    1. Prue, isn't that the truth! Thanks for the crossed fingers. I'm not too worried about the ones I potted up yesterday, they should have enough soil around them to hold the moisture.

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  4. I think that Sophia needs to come over and tend your seedlings. She has been tending my seedlings and greenhouse when we go away since she was 11 and does a wonderful job.

    I think they would be OK without much light or lifting the lights. Just give them a good drink before you leave.

    I think that sometimes easy jobs can cause the body more pain then hard labor. I think you need to find a different place to do your potting up.

    All of your seedlings look great Granny. I just started my regular tomatoes two days ago!!

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    1. Robin, I'll have two 17 year old girls here. I probably could trust them to do something with the plants if necessary. Maybe.

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  5. I have been having a problem with potting mixes as well. The peat based one seems to stunt the seedlings, but the roots are amazing. I'm hoping they will take off when they are planted in the ground.

    Can you cover the seedlings in some sort of greenhouse? I would have someone water mine, but have them do it sparingly. Enjoy your trip!

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    1. Ed, I was going to ask you how you're liking the coconut fiber mix by now.

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    2. Granny, the coconut fiber is working well. The lettuce I planted in it is growing well as are the sweet peas. The seedlings do need a very weak fertlizer solution when they get their first true leaves. At this point I'm trying to determine how dry I can let them get between waterings. I just planted tomatoes and peppers in it, I'll keep you psted on the results. but it does seem to be giving the better results.

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  6. Maybe you can take the seedlings with you:) I am also realizing that it is difficult to travel and keep a garden at the same time!

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    1. Charmcity, LOL! I don't think Mr. Granny would take too well to hauling seedlings through the hotel lobby! This will be our first vacation without the dogs (four years now), so we get to go first class and not be limited to staying in a "pet room"!

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  7. Seedlings look great! It's nearly 90 degrees here today, and I usually plant my tomatoes in around the same time as you. 4-5 weeks seems like a LONG way off, but my plants are all about the same size as your "medium" ones! PS- There definitely ARE carrots mixed in among the weeds growing in my garden. I can spot them now!

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    1. Megan...I TOLD YOU SO!!!! I KNEW those were carrots :-)

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  8. Your seedlings look amazing! I hope that they do just fine in your absence. :)

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    1. Thanks, Peggy, I think I have everything under control now.

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  9. To all who had suggestions or concerns about the seedlings, I've decided to make sure everything is well watered tonight. The lights will be on during the day, but I raised them way above the seedlings. They'll get a lot of light that way, but not so much heat. I also turned off the rope lights under the newly planted seeds to cut back on the heat from that source. Everything that could be covered with humidity domes is covered. I think everything should be fine for the 3-4 days I'll be away.

    WOO-HOO! Granny's heading out for some R & R!

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  10. I think they would be fine without the added light, I sometimes do that and you've seen my monsters LOL. Mother Nature goes days at a stretch with cloudy weather right? Better cloudy days than dry days :)

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    1. Erin, I can always call Alicia and tell her to water everything. It's not like they are being abandoned, I just have a bit of guilty conscience over leaving the little babies! I told Mr. Granny to plan the next vacation in May or June, after all the seedlings have been planted out and the sprinkling system is on. March and April are so not good times to leave. I need to go after tomato planting and before tomato harvest!

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    2. Have a great trip! I guess our plants become just like our furbabies and kids! Nancy http://cozythymecottage.blogspot.com/

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    3. Cozy Thyme, pretty close! I'd say the furbabies take precedence over the other two ;-) Awww, just kidding, the kids are the most important, but they can take care of themselves, LOL!

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    4. who are you kidding, may or june is not good either! there is always something to do in the garden, mar-october (depending on your geography). you can't let the seedlings worry you. just have your granddaughter water a bit.

      you have to let go sometime. have fun!

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  11. I love seeing your cock-eyed light...looks just like my indoor greenhouse. =)

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    1. Dorothy, you'd think those plants could at least all grow at the same rate and height, wouldn't you? It would make light adjustments so much easier, LOL!

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  12. I ended up with a bag of the "potting soil that will not be named" when I sent my DH to the store. And, yes, it was the best ... but it's not appropriate to deliberately buy anything from that company ... so I am working on an alternative mix ... I'll keep you posted!

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  13. Your seedlings look so good. Healthy and happy.
    I hope all goes well while you're gone. Enjoy your little holiday.

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    1. Gardener, I'm lounging in a lovely hotel room, with WIFI, recuperating from eating way too much delicious dinner. Enjoying ;-)

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  14. Your seedlings are looking great and I think your final plan will work well. Enjoy the time away and we look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

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    1. Kitsap, not much to tell....spending too much money, and eating too much food. The budget and the Granny will both have to go on a diet when I get home ;-)

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  15. With the watering question answered... Have Fun!

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    1. David, having fun! Will be back home tomorrow night, so the seedlings and the garden should be fine. I guess it was warm and sunny yesterday, and rain is expected today, so perfect garden weather.

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  16. I don't have a good answer for if you should have her water them or not....that is a hard call. Boy, I can relate to that burning sensation..I have had that before and it hurt!...you have been working too hard! Enjoy your break...:-) robbie
    p.s nice looking seedlings,too!

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    1. Robbie, I decided "not" was the best. I soaked them all really well the night before we left.

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  17. Your zinnias, peppers etc. look great! I guess I need to get busier.

    Sorry to hear about the pain between the shoulders.

    I was experimenting today with a broad-fork, and believe you me, it gives you a lot more of a workout than the advertisements claim, but it is fun and satisfying to see just how deep it can loosen the soil..

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    1. Frank, it's good to hear from you again! Yes, it's getting real close to planting season up there where you live.

      The three day vacation took care of the shoulder pain, but now my rear end is tired from the 900 mile round trip drive!

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  18. Too late now but today in a gardening book I read that they're better off if they have to lag, to be in lower light and cooler rooms. this sorta simulates nighttime and will help them not break down so fast. The light being on if the relatives are able to turn them on and off is good and the watering I'd go for what you did which was to make them nice and wet. they'll slowly dry over the time you're gone and prob be just drying when you return. I hope you come back to big robust plants and the drink you give them perks them up more. (AND that you have an amazing trip!)

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    1. Fragilefleur, of course the plants and the dogs survived just fine without me! They don't even need to be watered yet.

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  19. Looking good Granny! I'm sure your plants will do well while you're away.

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  20. I hope you have a wonderful holiday AG!!

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  21. OOps, just read and saw you are back. :)

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    1. Glad you're back. I hate leaving mine. I'm going to plant zinnias today just because you inspired me. Nothing, NOTHING I planted from seed came up. Argh.

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    2. Stefaneener, I had quite a few seedling failures this year too, and they weren't all from old seeds. Should I blame the potting mix? I don't know...the seeds that did grow in it produced stunted plants that just didn't put forth the growth they should have.

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