Gardening Basics: Common Seed Problems

Most people believe that gardening is as straightforward as they come. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, there are a lot of unexpected things that could happen to your seedlings when you are just starting out. This article presents a couple of these common seed related problems that all gardeners will encounter at some point. It also presents some tips on what you can do if you find yourself in such circumstances.

Poor seed germination

It is a well-known fact that most common vegetables and flowers can germinate readily on their own. However, other types of plants suffer from poor germination rates. This information is readily made available in the seed packet itself. The suggestion to sow an extra seed should be taken as a warning.

This problem is often caused by several external conditions such as the dampness and the temperature of the soil. It cannot be too cold or too wet. It can also be the opposite as too much heat will prevent the seed from absorbing the necessary amount of moisture needed to sprout. Of course, this problem can also be caused by older improperly stored seeds.

To address this problem, we recommend that you make full use of a heating mat. This handy gardening accessory will ensure that your soil stays at the optimal temperature to encourage plant germination.

Damping off

Damping off results in your seedlings keeling over at the side, as if it has been cut down at the soil line. This particular problem is caused by fungi coming out of the soil. This particular fungus attacks the stem itself. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this problem. The seeds will now be unable to sprout for a second time.

The only thing you can do now is to start over from scratch. This is why it is vital that the containers you use, as well as the seed-starting mix, are clean and sterile. That is why we recommend that you purchase containers specifically designed for your purpose instead of recycling used containers.

Pale Seedlings with weak stems

At first glance, one would be confused what is wrong with these leggy seedlings. More often than not, they are the direct result of an inadequate lighting situation. This simply means that your light source lacked intensity or that the plant was not exposed to it for the optimal amount of time.

As you know, plants need light not only to survive but to thrive. That is why you need to ensure that your light bulb is strong enough to stand as a substitute for the sun. For this job, we recommend that you make use of fluorescent bulb as it possesses the desired intensity without giving off too much heat that can severely damage the plant’s foliage.

In addition to this, you need to ensure that the plants are placed directly under the glow of the lights. Place the bulb a couple of inches above the foliage for maximum effect.

These are just a few of the problems beginners encounter with their seedlings. Most of the time, you can solve these problems by making use of the necessary products for the job.

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Also see: Chia Seeds – Why They Are Good for You