Spent an enjoyable morning in the greenhouse this morning. Managed to prick out my tomatoes as seen here; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Tomato/Tomato%20pricking%20out/tomato%20pricking%20out.html (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Tomato/Tomato%20pricking%20out/tomato%20pricking%20out.html)
This was how my hot bed looked;
My propagator gave up a few weeks ago(element went)
Didn't fancy spending anther £70-£80 on a new one so bought these lids instead for around a fiver.
They work very well as do the punnets I have tried for the first time. Got 100% germination rate on my tomatoes sowed sixty three got sixty three. OK two were a bit weedy so I binned these.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/March%202009/01-Coveredseedtraysonhotbed.jpg)
This is what is under the covers;
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/March%202009/02-Hotbed.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/March%202009/03-Seedtraysonhotbed.jpg)
Aubergines,Salvia & Tomatoes (before pricking out)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/March%202009/04-AubergineSalviaTomatoes.jpg)
Chrysanthemum cuttings;
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/tgalmanac/March%202009/Chrysant05-cuttings.jpg)
Very impressive Tee Gee... might get mine sown if I ever finish the decorating.. ::)
Great film, TG! Do YOU hold the camera while pouring??
Glad to see that even the professional can get comparatively leggy seedlings. And succeed.
Great slideshow as always Tee Gee.....and I loved the alternative method of making a hole in the compost...(made me chuckle ;D)
Duke
Great pics, esp, the close-up of the tom with its first true leaves. You say at the end that the toms will go on the hot bed for a few days- then what? Will they still have heat or will they fend for themselves? I'm never sure when to move mine from the warmth of the kitchen to the unheated greenhouse.
QuoteGreat film, TG!
Thanks glad you all liked them
QuoteDo YOU hold the camera while pouring??
I use a tripod Tim, old hands are a bit shaky now adays :(
QuoteGlad to see that even the professional can get comparatively leggy seedlings.
What do you mean 'professional' ::) ???
Quotecomparatively leggy seedlings.
Yes I agree but there is not much I can do about it :'( my neighbours hedge to the south of my geenhouse is over ten foot high, as is my neighbours to the west of me, so the only light I get is from the north which is minimal at this time of the year.
QuoteAnd succeed.
I cope would probably be a better term.
QuoteWill they still have heat or will they fend for themselves?
They will remain on the hot bed for two or three days or until such time as I need the heated space.
Then they are moved to a cooler area of the greenhouse, normally the top shelf where they can get maximum light. At this stage I think light is more important than heat.
Having said that I try to keep them at no less than 40°F (4°C)
I never keep them too wet just in case there is a drop in temperature when I am not about.
I have found that by doing this the temperature in the compost is about 5°F (2°C) warmer than the ambient (surrounding) temperature.
Meaning if the greenhouse got down to freezing for a short time the root system was OK.
Hope that answers your query.
Yes, thanks, teeGee.
Have never had a propagator. Instead my waterproof medical type heating pad is working well germinating my seeds on the kitchen counter while one corner of the pad helps raise some yeast bread dough ;D