Why are my seeds dying after planting?

[sociobud]

Hi, I'm a new grower and need some advice. I germinate my seeds using the paper towel and bowl method. Once they begin to really sprout, I transplant them into a beginner pot (about 1/4-1/2" deep), water them, and place them under 24 hr cfl light.

Now here's the problem...most of my seeds are dying. I'm not sure why. I don't think its my soil, because I've used the same soil for plants who have grown. Should I not water the seeds once I transplant them (the reason I ask this is because I have found that the seeds will shift/move after I water them)?

I'm at a loss. I've checked numerous guides and threads, but to no avail. Please help, I want my babies to live!

[stinkyattic]

When you say 'same soil' are you re-using soil?
What kind of soil is it?
What is your tgemperature?
You still have to water, but LIGHTLY until they have good roots, or they will just sit there and rot.

[jon.hatcher]

Make sure you keep them moist. Dry soil will kill seeds automatically! If they are dry even once they will 99% of the time perish.

Also, be careful about how far you put them down. I'd say an 1/8th to a 1/4 inch below the soil. The closer it is to the surface though, the closer you have to watch the water.

Also, give them 6 hours of rest. They seem to have better ratios of survivors when they get some dark (totally dark with no light leaks).

What watt CFL are you using?

[sociobud]

OK..the temperature is around 80F with very low humidity. I'm not re-using soil. I'm using some organic soil I bought from Home Depot. I can't find any of the other soils mentioned, so I made sure it had everything that was needed (peat, sand, etc). I have a total of 9400 lumens directed on plants (only 6). I do NOT give the uncrowned seeds any rest from light. Maybe I should. I have started to spray them instead of pouring water over them. That seemed to "sweep" the seeds away.

[jon.hatcher]

The temp is ok but it could come down 5 to 10 degrees. Just open the door a bit each day if you can. Get some type of hygrometer, they're only 4 bucks at home depot. Humidity should be 60 to 65 %. If its too high, open the door or put a dehumidifier in. If too low, put a couple full cups of water inside and close the door.

The soil is fine and your mix is cool. The lights are good too as long as they aren't too close and drying out the soil. Def do an 18/6 time schedule. Put the six hours sometime in the night when you don't turn lights on so you won't have to worry about light leaks.

Spraying the soil is good and all but I think we may have stumbled on your problem. Spraying the soil gets the top, but what people don't understand is the seed is growing down as well. You need to get water at least halfway down the container when sprouting. But you can spray the top as well if you just want to pour around where the seed is. It will penetrate and you don't have to worry about washing them away.

[BlueBear]

When preparing the soil for seeds, I water the soil before I place the seeds in. After that I will only mist the top of the soil for the first 3 to 4 days and that is only if the top soil is looking dry. then once the seeds are starting to poke their little heads up threw the soil I will start to water the soil, but with the sprayer with about 20 to 30 squirts from a misting bottle. When seedlings are about 2 inches tall I will start to water by poring water into the pot. Depending on the amount of aeration in your soil, it may be holding too much water, smothering your seedlings. Black Gold is a pretty good soil out of the bag and it already has perlite. I start seeds in this many of times. when I do the first transplant I do ad more perlite into the transplanting soil.
Adieu

[stinkyattic]

You don't need peat and sand in your soil. Peat is actually undesirable. It takes more attention to pH swings. I bet you have Miracle Gro organic. It's too hot for seedlings. Flush it out well before you use it, or get a real seedling starting mix.

[M.B.A.]

use a spray bottle and just keep the top moist(2-3 times a day)

[sociobud]

Ok, so I think I had the soil too packed. It was like wet concrete. I fixed that and now one of the seeds is opening up to a seedling! I have also just been spritzing them with a water bottle instead of pouring water over them. This is definitely trail and error.

BTW..where does everyone else (ok just in the US) get their soil, fert, etc?? Do you order it online or buy it at a store? Or do you just go to a nursery? I can't seem to find good stuff.

[stinkyattic]

I get soil at the farmers supply. Agway, specifically. I've checked a lot of other garden centers and the array of dirts is baffling; I've had good luck with Agway manure with humus + 30% perlite, Coast of Maine seaweed compost with perlite of course, farfard seedling starting mix, and a couple others.
When in doubt, add perlite. I say this because even if your soil sucks, has too much fert, or has an unstable pH, you can then safely flush your medium on a regular basis.

[sociobud]

Ok, so my seeds are still dying! I'm going to a Farmer Supply place tomorrow and see if I can find some better soil. I planted a new seed, but this time added perlite to the mix. Let's see how that does.

I'm getting frustrated. I know this is a whole lot of trial and error, but man I hope I don't give up before it gets better!

[sociobud]

Ok, so the seed in the perlite mix has sprouted! Now I have 2 "healthy" plants & 1 seedling. I have lowered the temp some and moved the light so it is 2-3" away. I realized I was over watering as well, so I cut back on that. I have made a list of local/specialized garden centers in my area that I will check out tomorrow for better soil.

One other question, when do I begin to incorporate fert?

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. You guys really do help!

[stinkyattic]

Fert after the 4th set of adult leaves is fully unfolded. That's also the time when you can transplant into a richer compost safely.