F. Therefore, crops should be started in April or early May when temperatures are usually near this range. Containers must be watered frequently to keep the surface of the medium moist. The moisture content of the medium near the surface should remain near field capacity. However, care should be taken to avoid overwatering, which can lower germination and promote disease problems. In a typical watering schedule, seeds would be misted 30 to 40 seconds every 30 minutes.
Cycles vary among different types of irrigation systems.
When germination is complete, frequent misting should be stopped, any shade cloth removed, and less frequent watering begun. Fungicide applications should begin as soon as feasible to reduce damping-off of germinants and to inhibit pathogenic fungi development. If inoculation with a spore suspension of Pt is planned, using benomyl is appropriate because it does not adversely affect Pt development. During the first few weeks after germination, top growth is minimal, but root growth is extensive. Thinning or transplanting should be completed early in this period.