Charlie Nardozzi, horticulturist with the National Gardening Association, explains techniques for transplanting and seeding. To check seed for viability, perform a simple germination test: take a sample of about 20 seeds from the packet you want to test, lay them on a paper towel, and roll up the paper. Poke holes in the lid of a mason jar, then place the paper towel containing the seeds inside the jar, and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the jar. Replace the lid, and put the jar in a dark area. After 10 days, check to see how many of the seeds have germinated. The seeds have germinated if small roots have cracked through the seed casing. If you get at least 80 germination of the seeds tested, the seed is viable. If germination is less than 80, you may as well toss the remaining seeds into the compost pile. After your seeds have sprouted, place them under a source of bright light. The light source should be only 1" or 2" away from the seedlings if the plants are to be kept compact. When it's time to transplant seedlings, separate them carefully. Lift them gently from the soil with a knife or a spoon, and try not to disturb the roots. When you handle a seedling, hold it by the leaves: the stems are quite delicate. Place seedling into larger pots filled with moist sterile potting soil. A good rule of thumb is to transplant a seedling when it's twice as tall as the diameter of the pot. So if a seedling in a 2" pot has reached a height of 4", it's time to transplant.
GUESTS :
Charlie Nardozzi
180 Flynn Ave.
Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: 802-863-1308
Tollfree Phone: 800-538-7476
Fax: 802-863-5962
Email: nga@garden.com
Website: www.garden.com
National Gardening Association
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