How To Evaluate The Seedling Growth Of Plants?
April 20, 2010 | In: General
After germination in a greenhouse, most vegetable seed should be grown along in the coolest location in the greenhouse so that sturdy plants will result. Eggplant and peppers are exceptions, and they should be potted up and kept in the wannest place. Most vegetable seedlings require transplanting from seed containers into flats or pots, depending on how many plants are wanted. If a dozen or so plants will be sufficient, thumb pots will give them a good start, but if 30 or more are wanted a flat is more practical. Two parts soil from the compost heap and one part humus makes an excellent growing medium for pricked off plants. The transplanted seedlings must be watered well, and be sure to shade them from bright sunlight for a few days with sheets of newspaper.
Sweet peas sown in January or at this time should have all side growth removed; that is, grow them to a single stem and tie them to 18-inch stakes. About the end of the month they will require potting into 3 and 1/4 or 4-inch pots. If size of bloom and length of stem are not so important, however, it will not be necessary to remove all the side shoots. Keep the plants as cool as possible.
Feeding – Plants will stand more feeding now because growth is faster. Once a week is about right, and I like to change their diet each week. I use liquid food but manure-water is also an option, fertilizer and dehydrated manures such as sheep and cow manure.
House plants – House plant should be given a feeding as soon as they show signs of spring growth. The easiest method is to mix a teaspoon of fertilizer in a pint of water and to water the plants with the solution each 7 to 10 days. But do not feed it to dry plants; rather water them first and feed later in the day.
Be on guard against insect pests. The dry warm air of the house is a favorable condition for red spider. It is hard to detect but quite destructive. Mealybug and scale also bother house plants, and black aphids are common on ivy. The best cure is to sponge the plants with an insecticide, that is if they can be handled in this manner. However, ferns, begonias or plants with fine brittle leaves require spraying. Use the insecticides about once a week until the plants are free of insects. If you have difficulty determining when your plants are affected, use a small magnifying glass to look at the back of the leaves.
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