RAISING SEEDLINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 708, 6 July 1929, Page 14

RAISING SEEDLINGS

To obtain sturdy, compact plants of half-hardy annuals such as antirrhinum, stock and nemesia, it is advisable to make a sowing of seeds of these as soon as possible. Where large quantities are required, sow in j shallow boxes, so that there will be j no likelihood of the seedlings becom- I ing overcrowded in their early stages of growth. For small quantities, how- j ever, five-inch pots will be large enough. Early overcrowding is an evil from which the seedlings never j fully recover; it causes them to be- : come weak and spindly. Fill the pots or boxes with a light, j porous compost, which should be made firm with the soil ‘‘presser.” After- i j wards thoroughly saturate the soil i i with tepid water, either by immersion ; or by applying it with a fine rose on I the watering can. The seeds may i now be sown thinly on the surface. Fine seeds, like those of lobelia, will 1 require only a fine dusting of silver 1 sand, whereas seeds of antirrhinum should be buried about an eighth of an inch, with finely-sifted soil. To prevent the moisture from evaporat- ! ing, place sheets of paper or glass on : the pots or boxes, after which they ! should be stood in a warm greenhouse or frame. As soon as the seeds begin to germ- j inate, they should be gradually inured to the light, so that they will develop sturdily, and as they must not be forced into premature grow’th, careful watch must be kept to see that the heat does not become excessive. After the development of the second pair of foliage leaves, prick them off into 1 pans or boxes, using good garden soil or a compost of two parts loam and one part leaf-mould, j The distance apart for pricking off ; depends on the vigour of the seedlings, , ! but most of them need to be placed 1 1 about two inches apart.