The Care of Flower Seedings

With the proper care, seedlings develop into healthy plants and flowers.

Seedlings need special care before and after planting to ensure they grow into strong plants. Since seedlings are fragile, the right combination of water and sun is required. When buying seedlings from a nursery, examine and choose the ones that look healthiest and most robust.

Things You'll Need

• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Place your seedlings in a location receiving at least six hours of sunlight a day. Buy grow lights if you cannot put them where they receive enough sunlight.

2. Water seedlings often enough so that the soil is moist at all times. Do not to overwater, as seedlings will die in soggy soil.

3. Put your seeds in a warm place for germination. The best range is 65 to 75 degrees. If too cold, use seedling heat mats. Don't let them get too hot or they wilt and die.

4. Fertilize your seedlings every two weeks. Use a half-strength fertilizer until you plant them.

5. Place your seedlings outside before planting to allow them to acclimatize to the outdoors. Place them outdoors for a few hours each day for two weeks, gradually increasing the amount of them they are out there.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep tools and potting mix sterile to prevent disease.

References

• Purdue University: Starting Seeds Indoors; Michael N. Dana and B. Rosie Lerner
• Family Fun Shop: Growing Flowers from Seeds: Do's and Don'ts; Wes Fessler; May 22, 2007