Care after sowing (indoors)

Once they have been sown examine your seeds at least once every day. In many cases further watering will not be required before germination but If the surface of the compost shows any sign of drying out, and particularly if the seeds are sown at or near the surface, water from below using lukewarm tap water. Stand the pot or tray in about an inch of water until the surface starts to glisten. Large seeds can be watered using a fine rose or mist sprayer.

As soon as the first signs of germination are seen, remove any paper cover and, if the tray or pot concerned is in a dark place, transfer it to a location where it is in full light but still equally warm and not in direct sun. Shortly afterwards, when germination is well under way, remove the glass or plastic cover so that air can circulate around the seedlings. It should be remembered that not all types of seeds germinate at the same rate and that, when several different varieties are sown, not all of the seedlings will start to appear at the same time.

When most seeds have germinated temperatures are best reduced somewhat by moving the trays or pots to a slightly cooler location or turning down the propagator. Trays or pots on a windowsill should be turned daily to compensate for the seedlings’ inclination to grow towards the light. Be sure to keep the developing seedlings moist at all times but wait until the compost surface starts to dry slightly before carefully watering again so as to avoid over-watering. No feeding is needed at this stage as the seedlings’ own food stores and nutrients already in the compost are sufficient.