Topic: no propogator only window sills, what to do?

[PeterVV]

I have tried some seeds so far, in my impatience to get started, and two lots of onions havesuffered from dampening off after two weeks?, I only water from below, and my chillies and leek seeds seem ( so far ) to be ok, so what am I doing that the onions dont like?

[rugbypost]

Are you over watering they shoud not need watering if you soaked the tray before planting, and dont leave on window sill at night much to cold. I  put compost in the trays dip them in the water butt leave to drain and plant my seed the next day cover with a little more compost spray a drop more water on the top, and cover with cheap cling film from tesco as soon as they show there heads take ik off and only water a little at a time this works for me

[PeterVV]

They are fine until a week or two after they have germinated, then it starts, maybe I shouldnt have left them on the window sill? I just thought they needed light?

[rugbypost]

I put mine for the first couple of weeks with her permision on top of our dutch dresser in our kitchen its very open to light my leeks have been on there for a week today and the shots are allready up i will give them 2 more weeks and put them in the small plastic green house in the shed and cover well in the nights  Day time is ok by window sill but this time of year with window open it does not take long for them to wilt

[PeterVV]

dont have the windows open, so thought they would be ok, obviously not.. :(

[Georgie]

I  put compost in the trays dip them in the water butt leave to drain and plant my seed the next day

That's not a good idea, really.  It's best to use tap water for seeds as it's sterile. 

As for Peter's problem, I agree the seeds are almost certainly too wet.  I wouldn't dream of sowing things so early in the year without specialist equipment either.  So I suggest you wait at least another month (or until the light levels improve) and then try again.  Good luck.

G x

[Digeroo]

I have to agree about not watering seedling from the butt.  I lost a lot of brassicas that way lasat year.  Tap water is more reliable for me. 

[goodlife]

Peter...damping off could have been caused by several things...but generally if your pot/tray is clean, you use 'new' compost, tap water and you are not keeping the compost too wet and growing conditions/air damp you should not have problems. Damping off could be cause fungal desease and that's why the need of cleaning used pots.
Room temperature is enough to germinate onion seeds and they do not need kept under cover after the first signs of new growth. As soon as you see something happening take cover off..they do like the light but hot high temperature, if sun would happen to shine... ::)...or cold..cool is ok. Basicall avoid extremes or sudden changes.
I know all these things do sound complicated..but once germinated they should be relatively easy going... :-X

[betula]

I once heard Christine whatshername ? the TV gardener suggest watering with tepid to warm water ,she thinks it is better for seedlings.