Comments on: About

By: Charles Lankford

Charles Lankford — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:32:43 +0000

Carole,

Thanks for the information. This is probably most of the problem. My main problem is the transition from first emergence of the seeds to placing them under (probably a too large and too strong) grow light. Leave them under the humidity tent too long and they grow long and spindlylooking for light, not long enough and they die quickly. What also complicates it is that I have 8 different types of peppers in one tray and 6 different tomatoes in another. So, they all germinate at different rates and thus the tray cannot be transitioneds until all are up. Sounds like the solution may be to have a “transition tray” to move newly emerged seeds to.

By: gardeningafterfive

gardeningafterfive — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:07:16 +0000

Charles, I think what could be the culprit is damping off, a fungus that attacks the plants at soil line. If the stem looks pinched and the seedlings die, it could be that the growing media you’re using isn’t sterile. Removal of the humidity tent should take place soon after germination; but you want to do it slowly so the change in air temperature and humidity doesn’t shock the little plants. crack it open slightly at first, then gradually open it over the next day or so to get it off of the tray.

By: Charles Lankford

Charles Lankford — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:38:47 +0000

Thanks for your response. They usually topple over at soil line. My other issue is how long to leave them under the seed starter cover when they first emerge. Seems like if I move them to a grow light too soon, they die, too long and they become very spindly.

By: gardeningafterfive

gardeningafterfive — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:41:33 +0000

Hi Charles – can you tell me what the plants looked like when they croaked on you? Did they topple over from a point low on the stem, near the soilline, or just crisp and die?

By: Charles Lankford

Charles Lankford — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:31:23 +0000

I am a big fan of yours, attending several of your presentations. You inspired me to try starting seeds. However, I am having a lot of problems. I purchased seeds, sterile soil, the small pots, a heat mat and the covered trays. I planted pepper seeds and set the tray on the heat mat maintaining a temp of about 85ºF. In about a week, the seeds began to come up. Since I was expecting a longer germination, it was a couple days before I moved them under a light. In that time, they became long and spindly – about one inch long. When I moved them under the grow light (no heat mat under the tray when it was placed under the light), they all died. What did I do wrong? How do I prevent the second planting from dying off? Thank you for your assistance.

By: Casey O'Leary

Casey O'Leary — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:28:50 +0000

Hello from Boise Idaho! I was wondering if you would permit me to use your photo of leaf miner on your spinach leaf in a gardening calendar I put together each year as a fundraiser for our farm? It would be a small thumbnail (2″ or so) to accompany a “how to control leaf miner” inset on our April page. I would of course credit you and your blog, and maybe some Idaho folks would start following you! You can check out my farm, Earthly Delights, at our website if you’d like! http://www.earthlydelightsfarm.com.
Thank you for your consideration!
Casey O’Leary

By: gardeningafterfive

gardeningafterfive — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:20:37 +0000

Thanks so much for your kind words - I thought the Denver Post did a great job illustrating that article.

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:22:47 +0000

I really loved your article “Who’s Your Honey” in the Denver Post. I have grown so fond of the little pollinators and so acutely aware of the bees plight. Pollinators are such an integral yet often hidden detail of our ecosystem that I think many people take for granted. I have often wondered about many of the honey bee cousins and wondered who they are. The photos are fabulous. Thank you for an article portraying them with such warmth and affection.

I also just love your blog and it’s now in my bookmarks!

By: gardeningafterfive

gardeningafterfive — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:31:26 +0000

Hi Linda, I’m happy to try and help you. Could you give me a bit more information on your bug? Markings of any kind? Was it caterpiller-like? I’ve done a quick check of the Kansas Extension service website for cabbage pests in your area, but need just a little more info before I can narrow it down for you.

By: Linda Matthews

Linda Matthews — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:44:22 +0000

I was refered to you by Jody Torpey. Last year I had a bug in my garden that I had never seen before. It came up through bore holes, was light tan colored, abot 1 1/2-2″ long, 1/2-3/4″ wide, had feelers, legs, ate my cabbage type plants and shed a shell. What could this be? Help! I live in Wichita KS.