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Produce => Under Glass => Topic started by: slowfood on March 29, 2005, 10:19:11

Title: From above or below?
Post by: slowfood on March 29, 2005, 10:19:11

Hi all,

I am without a garden this year as we are renovating a house, but growing some 'cut and come again' salad, Rocket, Spinach and a mixed salad leaf in trays on a windowsill. They have germinated nicely (exept the Spinach) now I would like to hear your opinions. Am I better off resting the trays in water or using a fime rose sprinkler from above when watering.

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: From above or below?
Post by: aquilegia on March 29, 2005, 10:51:53

I always water seedlings from below. You risk getting dampening off and other fungal diseases if you water from above.

And don't overwater. They don't use much water in the early stages. (I tend to not water mine until I prick them out)

Title: Re: From above or below?
Post by: Mimi on March 29, 2005, 12:55:30

Always from below for the same reasons as Aqui.  Also the poor little seedlings get flattened if you water from above.

Title: Re: From above or below?
Post by: slowfood on March 29, 2005, 15:39:48

Thanks both of you, that is what I have been doing, but I was unsure if there was a chance of waterlogging the new roots. Looking forward to fresh and tasty salad that's not out of a chemical laden bag or flown in from abroad.

Also, just in case, how can you see early signs of dampening off?

Title: Re: From above or below?
Post by: Merry Tiller on April 01, 2005, 17:51:27

You won't see any warning signs, they just keel over & that's it I'm afraid. Your best bet is to use tap water for watering until they're past the seedling stage, rainbut water contains the spores that cause the disease