| I am growing snapdragon from seed for the firsttime. Unfortunately, I sowed them very close together in a flat tray, and now, 3 weeks later, they are tiny, leggy and are closely spaced. I water them by misting with a spray bottle buteven that kills them. What is the proper way to grow them from seeds? |
| You may be able to save the seedlings you have grown - thin them using scissors to mow them to 3-4" apart. If you're using a floursecent light fixture, lower it so the plants are within an inch of the bulb. Transplant them to the garden when theyhave several sets of leaves, burying the long stem so that the lowest leaves are about 1-1/2" above the soil surface. When they've grown 4-6 sets of leaves, pinch back the growing tips to encourage branching, which means more bloom! Remove spent blooms often to encourage more flowers. If you can, plant the tiny seeds 1" apart in the flat, or else thin them earlier on in the process. Because the seeds and seedlings are so fragile, as you've noticed, it's best to water them from below. The easiest way to do this is to sow seeds in peat pots and place pots in a waterproof tray. Add water to the tray, and the pots will absorb the moisture. Don't let water sit in the tray, though, or the seeds will drown. Water just enough to moisten pots and soil, and no more. |
