Everything is looking great, Nice variety. What type of soil do you use when sprouting your seeds.
I have been trying different types of soil. The Garcinia sopsopia is in 100% coir with some oscomote added. The Stenocereus queretaroensis is in a Black Gold seedling mix.
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Gold-1311002-16-Quart-Seedling/dp/B004NS7X9Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1452111581&sr=1-2&keywords=black+gold+seedling+mixThe other Quararibea cordata, Coinosicys macranthus, Sterculia quadrifida are using Miracle grow seedling starting mix.
http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Gro-Starting-currently-Northeastern-Midwestern/dp/B00GTDIDBU So here is the breakdown, the straight coir seemed to work really well with the Garcinia sopsopia, but I believe this is due the species liking more moisture (I added no perlite). I start a lot of the seedlings in small plastic bags like 2 inch x 1 inch. Then replant them in larger containers.
The coir is a lot heavier mix and I noticed some seedlings don't respond well with it (either the salinity is too high, the mix is too damp, or the PH is not desired). I sprouted some papaya and lost them all in the straight coir, I think its because the soil was too damp and it caused some bacteria issue. I think the peatmoss has the advantage with bacterial and mold prevention because of its PH.
The Black Gold seedling mix is good stuff but its pretty pricey. I splurged a little on the seedling mixes, but mostly because I wanted to insure I got good survival on hard to find seeds. I like the the drainage and the perlite levels of this mix, its also a better mix for all Cacti and plants which dont like their feet too wet.
The Miracle grow mix seems to be working well with the subtropical/tropical plants. I have not found any negatives so far, it does have less perlite. Its more of a fluffy peat mix with higher water retention. I would just be careful about moisture levels.
My plan is to phase the sprouted seedlings into a coir/pine bark/perlite/biochar mix in 1 to 3 gal size containers. Then up them from there. The economics of the seedling mixes are on the pricey side, one could buy peatmoss in bulk and add perlite, some trace mineral dust, and a slow release fertlizer in low amounts.
1. How are you controlling the temperature (what's the ideal temperature and how you keep it there)?
I control the temperature with indoor ambient temps. Since the indoor growing area is in my room, I try to keep my room temps between 60f to 75f. I have about a 5F to 10F increase in temp inside the grow area due to the LED. I have an exhaust fan but have turned it up because the temperature was dropping with the humidity inside. In the summer time I am going to turn on the fan, because the room temp averages around 75f to 85f. I also hang plastic bags with shoe string from the top of the area closer to the LED light sometimes to increase the temperature of the medium.
2. How are you controlling the humidity (of both the growing media and the air)
Humidity by air is controlled by a 120mm fan which I have attached to the indoor grow area. Its turned on to vent the air if the humidity levels are too high or temperature is too high. However for germinating higher humidity is usually a good thing. So I have it turned off right now with just an opened vent area. When I am not germinating seeds I like turning in the fan at least for half the day so the plants get adapted to lower humidity levels.
The soil moisture levels are a little tricker, I usually get use to what the weight should be (its a trial by error kind of thing and knowing what the right moisture level should be by touch). What I suggest is take the seedling mix about 4oz or less and soak it in water. Then squeeze it a about 3 times to remove the excess water. What you are left with is close to a desired moisture level for subtropical and tropical plants.
Topic: Some new fruit seedling pictures (Read 4909 times)