Richters Free Lecture Series

SUCCESS WITH SEEDING

Seeding in Flats

For those who require a large number of seedlings, a seed flat filled with a light-weight sterilized soilless mix is a good way to begin. Typical seeding mixes contain vermiculite, perlite and finely-milled peat moss. We are using a mix approximately equal parts of fine horticultural grade vermiculite and milled peatmoss.

[Soil Mix Ingredients]

Before you begin seeding, make sure you wet the seed flat first. If you wait to water after seeding you may find your seeds rising to the top of the flat or even washing out of the flat.

[Watering Seed Flat]

A homemade gadget such as this wooden press is ideal to mark straight rows in the flat.

[Marking Rows in Seed Flat]

Seeding devices such as electric hand seeders are not necessary when using Richters foil lined seed packets. A nifty little spout can be made with the packet to help control the amount of seed going into the rows.

[Seeding in Rows]

After the rows have been seeded, a fine grade of vermiculite is used to cover the seeds.

[Fine Vermiculite]

We recommend covering seeds 2 or 3 times their thickness or diameter.

[Covering with Vermiculite]

After the seeds have been covered, it is important to tamp down the vermiculite and seeds with a flat surface such as this home made press.

[Pressing the Seedflat]

It is also important to water the flat well with a steady, gentle spray. A fogging nozzle is ideal for wettening the seeds and the surface soil. Because the seed flat was premoistened before seeding, it is very easy to water the seed flats after covering.

[Seed Flat Dome]

Remember to check the flat regularly to make sure it’s not drying out. A clear plastic dome can be used on top of the flat to help keep moisture in.




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