I'm new to gardening this year and dealing with a bit of trouble, particularly with epinasty in my seedlings. I initially used jiffy pellets but ended up with poor germination and seedling health. So, I tried mixing the contents of those pellets with seed starting mix, which improved my germination rates significantly. However, I'm still encountering some epinasty, although it's improved compared to before.
Currently, I'm giving my seedlings a teaspoon of water daily while they're sitting on a warming mat that I'm sharing between them. I think this might be too much water since I don't have a south-facing window; they're in a warm room in front of a west-facing patio door. I would really appreciate any advice on how to properly water the seedlings and any tips for dealing with epinasty if you've faced that issue before. Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
In my experience, I keep my seedlings on top of my heater (not too hot, just the warm spot). After they sprout, I move them to the west-facing window and use a grow light. I lightly mist the surface daily and bottom-water when they look dry, which has worked pretty well for me!
I don’t use any heat pads, but I water my seedlings heavily about three times a week. The temperatures I keep them at are between 19-21 °C, which seems to work fine for me. Just keep them in a warm area and ensure they have enough light!
I've been gardening for decades, and I can say that it sounds like you might be overthinking it a bit. If your seedlings are showing epinasty, it could be that they need more light rather than more water. Try keeping the bottom of the trays moist and only watering them when they feel dry. It should help balance things out!
I use a wicking method myself! I have a platform where I place my seed trays with a wicking cloth over it, and I refill the water tray every few days. This way, the seedlings can take up water as needed without overdoing it. Give this a try if you can!
Epinasty can be tricky! It usually means your seedlings are stressed. I find the best way to determine when to water is by lifting the tray. If it feels light, it's time to water. Rather than a strict daily routine, it's better to check them regularly and water as needed. If possible, give bottom watering a shot; just let the trays sit in some water for a little while so they can soak it up. It might help your seedlings thrive!