For me its starting plants (even annuals) from seeds. If they ever germinate then most of them wilt and die. I am frustrated that I still try every year!!
Weeds! I weed and weed, but they still get ahead of me. They are the only plants that don't get sickly and die in June, July, August, and most of September (I know what you mean, Toni!). Tina, we can talk you through starting seeds. The slow starters you begin in January, and it just progresses from there. Let us know what you want to start and somebody will give you a timeline, advice on starting medium, grow lights, and lots of encouragement!
Our dear gardeners from Texas are frustrated with the months in which we North Westerns CAN garden Marlingardner : Thank you! Right now I am just too frustrated to even think about trying again. But will surely let you all know if I can recover from the countless failures I have encountered so far.
Tina, What do you use to start your seeds with? type of soli/media, containers, where does your water come from? Damping off occurs when the soil is not properly sterilized or sterile. That is what usually happens when they look okay one day and wilted over the next. Often a lack of air circulation also invites this to happen. Using actual soil is a no-no. Use a sterile soiless potting blend/mix. Sterile containers are also a must. Don't wipe something out and expect it to be disease free, sanitize it with peroxide or bleach. Do not save any containers that had meat in them to reuse. I have found that seems to contribute to damping off. Non chlorinated water is the best for your seedlings. If you have city water let it stand for 24 hours before using it for watering them.
Carolyn - I use fresh potting soil in my attempt to start seeds. I use small terracotta pots. I do wash them but not sterilize. I am not sure how to do that. I do use tap water without having it stand for 24 hours.
Tina, Potting soil? or potting mix? potting soil will not be friendly to seeds, it will not be free from mold or bacteria which will readily attack and kill the seeds as they germinate. It may not have weed seeds in it but it isn't sterile, either. Use a sterile potting mix that is peat based. coir based is becoming more readily available, but I don't like it and avoid it if I can. Peat, vermiculite, and/or perlite are generally the main ingredients. I also avoid the "seed starter" blend, it is too fine and tends to hold and excessive amount of water. Those "jiffy" seed pellets are a good way to start if you are doing planting seeds you can individually drop into the pellet. Seeds that are really fine ( like lobelia or petunias) are a little harder to plant in these unless they are pelleted seeds. Use plastic containers with drainage holes. Not clay pots. they wick the moisture right out of the pots. I recycle clamshells from tomatoes, blueberries, lettuce etc, from produce I buy during the winter (other people save me these things, too) I also use whole flats for large quantities of things such as marigolds. Heat mats are a must for peppers and many of my herbs.
I used potting soil - not potting mix. I do have a packet of peat moss and 1 packet of vermiculite. I never knew we could sow seeds in them. So, I take the vermiculite in a plastic pot(cleaned and sterilized) and put the seed there? Should I water after that? Sorry if these seem very stupid questions.
Tina, NOT a stupid question! Just go ahead and mix the two products together. Peat moss and vermiculite and get a bag of perlite ( using equal ratios) to add to it, too. Vermiculite tends to pack down more than I like, so I even add extra perlite to some batches. After you sow your seeds (read the package for precise methods as some seeds don't need to be covered or need light to germinate) spritz or spray water over the seeds and keep them covered to keep humidity in the container in order to germinate.
Mine is critters! From wild hogs, armadillos, grasshoppers, stink bugs and other munching little devils :twisted: