Evening star., 1941-07-12

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pans. Other disinfectants may be
used after the seeds have germi-
mated. but are seldom needed ex-
cept on unsterilized soil.
A recently described test made at
the United States plant introduce
ton garden at Glenn Dale, Md.
showed that ordinary garden soil
covered with quarter-inch of
sphagnum moss gave fairly good
results, while plot covered with
three-quarter-inch layer of the
sphagnum to which nutrients were
applied several times, gave unusually
fine results. termination was SUI
perior to that obtained on unster-
ilized soil and the loss from damp
ing on was very slight.
In filling the seed pans it is well
to screen the starting medium, put
ting the coarser material in the bot
tom and the finest material on top.
After filling the material should be
lightly firmed with a fiat board.
The fiat is ready for sowing the
seed Some gardeners prefer to
broadcast the seed, while others
like to place it in rows. II in rows,
it is a bit easier to lift the plants
when they are ready for transplant
ing. When broadcast thinly it is
feasible to leave them in the seed
pan until time to put them into their
permanent location,
The covering of flower seeds is
somewhat of problem. The gen.
eral rule is to cover 217 times their
diameter. With large seeds this is
simple, but with those as tiny as
the Oriental poppy. it is more diff
with a dust OF sand, others keep
their seed pans in a moist situa-
ton and do not try to cover the
seeds. Where the humidity may be
controlled this is satisfactory Most
gardeners, however, are not inter-
ested in building a miniature green
house just to start a few plants
Pieces of glass laid over the tops of
the bulb pans or small fats will
serve this purpose reasonably we'll.
Place a match stick under the glass
to permit air circulation.
Seeds seem to germinate better
in the dark than in the light. The
seed pans may be put in a dark
closet, or they may be covered with
paper. AS soon as the seeds begin
to germinate (the time varies ac-
cording to the kind-from 5 days
to 2 months or more, bring the pots
into the light Eastern or southern
exposures are preferred. Light shade
Is very good for the plants until
they have developed their second
pair of true leaves. after which they
need more sunlight. Artificial shade
is easily provided by covering with
burlap, lathe or cheesecloth. The
covering material should not re-
strict air circulation.
After sowing the seeds the prob
lem is to supply enough moisture
without keeping them too moist.
Here again the starting medium will
determine the frequency of water
ing. Ordinary garden soils need to
be moistened at least once day.
Peat and sphagnum moses may 60
two or even three days without be-
coming too dry. Water by placing
the boxes or pans in fiat container
so that the moisture Is soaked up.
Watering from the top may carry
the seed too deeply into the starting
medium, or it may cause the forma-
ton of hard crust through which
the tiny plants are unable to force
their way. The pots or pans are left
in the water until the surface soil
begins to darken-indicating that
the soil has absorbed moisture all
the way through.
Young plants are exceedingly
tender and subject to disease. The
worst of these diseases is the damp
ing-off" fungus. 1t attacks only
tiny seedlings, seemingly cutting
them OF at the surface of the
ground. In sterilized soils this diffi-
Guilty is seldom experienced. In I'M
sterilized soils it is often a serious
problem. A few crystals of paradi-
chlorobenzine scattered over the sur
face of the seed pan will usually
protect them. Red copper oxide
busted over the surface of the soil
is helpful. One can even sprinkle
the plants and soil with q weak cor
rosive sublimate solution.
AS soon as the plants have their
first pair of true leaves they may be
transplanted to larger quarters, al
though if the seed were thinly sown
or termination poor they may be left
undisturbed until large enough to be
planted in their permanent location.
In transplanting seedlings small
spoon CfruiD is a very convenient
tool. 1t lifts the roots with the soil
undisturbed. The soil into which
they are to be transplanted should
be fairly rich in plant food and
humus. Since the seedlings are
larger and strong they are not apt
to be injured by "damping of" /"
Plant them an inch or more apart
in rows 2 inches apart. Water and
shade for two or three days, or until
they have recovered from the shock
of moving.
Water is just as important to the
rate of growth of transplanted seed
lings as it was during and following
termination. Lack of moisture
checks their growth and stunts
them. Too much moisture excludes
air and produces a siekly, weak
growth. Regular watering to keep
the soil moist but not wet Is best.
Seeds sown in July and early
August should produce strong
healthy plants ready for transplant
ing to the perennial border by mid
September. This should give the
plants ample time in which to be-
come thoroughly established before
cold weather checks their growth.