How to Bloom Perfect Flower Seeds

Starting your flower seeds off right will ensure perfectly bloomed flowers.

Every gardener wants to have the perfect flower garden each year---and what many do not realize is that the perfect flower begins by growing the perfect flower seed. When the flower seed is given the right growing conditions to develop strong, healthy roots, it is inevitable that those seeds will bloom into the perfect flower. Typically flowers, whether eventually growing inside or out, will need to be started from seeds indoors to get the best start, and with patience and diligence, any gardener can bloom the perfect flower seeds for perfect flower gardens.

Things You'll Need

• Seed tray
• Potting soil
• Perlite
• Peat moss
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Fertilizer
• Grow lights

Instructions

1. Select a plastic seed tray with holes in the bottom for good drainage. Good drainage is needed for growing perfect flower seeds each and every time. Fill the seed tray with a well-draining potting soil. Moisten the soil clear through.

2. Sow the flower seeds into the seed tray according to the directions on the package. If unsure, plant three times as deep as the seed is wide. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and do not firm over. Place an inverted seed tray over the top of the seeds to create a greenhouse effect, helping the seeds to grow faster. Remove the inverted seed tray once the seedlings are several inches tall or beginning to push against the top tray.

3. Spray the newly planted seeds to keep moist during germination, not letting the soil dry out at all during this time. Consistently moist soil is important for developing and growing strong roots. Water daily with spray bottle to keep the seeds moist without disturbing the soil too much and displacing the seeds.

4. Place the seed tray in a location near a south-facing window to receive plenty of natural lighting during the day. Avoid placing directly in a windowsill, as it can get too cold at night and too hot during the day, and both extremes will kill the roots. Place in an out-of-way location where the temperature is consistently 60 degrees F or warmer and away from drafts and heating vents.

5. Place the seed tray underneath fluorescent lights so the seeds receive adequate amounts of light, crucial in blooming the perfect flower seeds. For best results, place the lights about 2 inches above the seeds and hang from chains so it is easier to raise the lights as the seedlings grow.

6. Heat the seed tray from the bottom too which helps the roots grow better. Warm room temperatures will not help warm the soil, necessary for growing the perfect flower seeds. Use a special heating pad for plants available from a local gardening center.

7. Fertilize the seedlings once they have developed at least two sets of true leaves using a water-soluble formula. Feed your seedlings once a week using 1/4 the recommended amount of fertilizer and use a slow-release food that will release nutrients with each watering.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute fiber pots for the plastic seed trays, eliminating the need for transplanting the seedlings.

• An alternative to watering the seeds is to place the seed tray inside another tray filled with water, allowing the soil to soak up the water from the bottom.

References

• Iowa State University Extension: Growing Annuals In Containers
• University Of Minnesota Extension: Starting Seeds Indoors