I recently (2 weeks ago) planted several key lime seeds using the baggy method. I only used the largest, fattest looking seeds. Quite quickly, like in 4 days, I had several spouting. One planted, they declined rapidly, overnight even, and just did not make it. I have MANY seeds still in the baggies, that have not spouted. I'm curious at how long I should let them be, to see if they'll still grow. Is there anything I could do to ensure my little spouts wont die off on me once planted? I used the same soil, kept it lightly watered with a baggie around the pot to keep moisture and heat in. I had the containers near the heater... so around 70 degrees day and night.

Any clue why the seedlings just died? They were looking so strong and healthy. I'm just so incredibly bummed out about this. I was just so incredibly excited, I mean... they started off so easily. Maybe that was my downfall.

Just really curious as what I can do or if i sdhould even hold out hope for my key limes seeds still yet to sprout. Like I said, its just been over 2 weeks (3 weeks this friday) Should they have all sprouted by now?

Betty

Betty, Here is what I do to start seedling citrus.

- Remove and wash the seed well. If I am going to store them, I treat them with captan. Others have good luck with a hot water treatment or using a clorox solution. Dry them for a day or so until the exterior is dry and store them in the frig crisper. Otherwise plant them immediatly.

- Plant them in good, well-drain commerical potting mix. You can per-germinate them if desired, but I have pretty good luck just planting them directly in the pot. I often use a community pot to start the seeds.

- Keep the pot in a warm place, as you did. Warmer is better when the seeds are germinating - say maybe 80 degrees.

- Leave the pot uncovered so that the seedling is exposed to the air, This will allow the foliage to stay dry. I think this might have been your problem.

- The new seedling must have adequate light.

- When watering, water throughly. Water only when the surface of the soil begins to dry, but do not allow it to dry excessivly. Either extreme is to be avoided. The objective is to keep the seed moist but not soggy.

- When the true leaves appear, you can begin to fertilize.

Good luck, Ned

how long though can it take for them to sprout up? more than say 3 week? Just wondering if the seeds still not spouted are just not going to. Just thinking of tossing them, if they should have sprouted by a certain time

meh, Ive had seeds over a month come up despite my giving up on them. Pleasantly supprised. Not sure if there is any correlation between early-sprouters and stronger seedlings.... I got 5 after Id more or less given up, so im letting them have a chance.

When given bottom heat (80 - 90F) generally citrus seed require 21 days before they germinate. Without any type of heat, citrus seed can take as long as 90 days. - Millet

So, looks like its a waiting game now. I peek every day.. ok a few times... just hoping.

thanks for the responces

Well, all my containers wre knocked over thanks to my lovely cat (NOT) and well.. it made my day. Even though the seeds were now growing much above ground... underneath they were. ALL seeds have gown very long.. tap roots I think its what its called. one seed has produced 4 little seedlings. and the little roots are 2 inches long... not many leaves showing, just lots of roots!

I had switched the seeds to little containers vs the baggies. I think in thebaggies they were just kept a little too moist. and just seems they were close to spouting even in the baggies just took being placed in the containers, able to dry out better and were closer to the heat just the slight change and poof... spouts out my ying yang.

I've purchased little mini greenhouses, and 3" pots and planted one seedling per pot. I've also purchased a little heater to have near them so I can better keep them near light. At this stage, is artificial light ok? or is natural light still best? I want to keep the little babies nice and warm and give them the best start.

As for fertlizig. what counts as the first true lieaves... are the second set of leaves, correct? not the first that apear when spouting... right?

sorry, just want these sprouts to make it thanks in dvance for any responces

Ive got mine on a buffet warmer, under a flouro lamp. the bigger seedlings are in yogurt cups and get some daylight, supplemented with evening flouros. I think I watered one with dilute fert before the second leaves... im watering everything with dilute during the winter. Havent seemed to suffer.

just thought I'd share... heres a little pic of one of my many little seedlings. I know not the greatest pic... but its still so tiny. At least above ground. Each of the seedlings have a 1-1/2 inch root... 2 are starting to get a few little hairs branching off the main root

I've definatly caught the citrus bug... SO excited,

I had some Flying dragon seeds that I put into potting mix and in the greenhouse last November. Two weeks ago I gave up on them and tossed them. Yesterday my sister told me her seeds had just germinated, after the same amount of time.

Lesson - be patient.

they are growing... just very very slowly. Funny how some say key limes are the slowest to grow from seed but... they are the quickest to produce fruit! We'll see, its definatly a fun experiment

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/vanillacharms/3w1d_2.jpg theres the newest pic of one of my little seedlings.

I have all my seedlings started and so many other seeds just to be safe. And... more than anything, I'm just getting a serious kiick out of starting these seeds.. knowing.. just sometime in the futre that I could plant the seeds from the fruit my little seedlings produce.

All comes down to having fun, keeping busy.

Key limes are very easy from seed. They are also one of the first to fruit from seed. Here is one of my Key's from seed two years ago this month. It is loading up with flower buds as are my other 3 Key's.

that realy is too cool to see just how big they can get so quickly!!! I am more than a little excited

I just dont get why more ppl dont do some sort of gardening. Its fun, relaxing and exciting all at the same time.

Betty, I think your babies died from 'damping off'. The soil was too wet & rotted the stems at grnd level. I usually put a little sand on top of soil & water them from the bottom.... put the pots in a tray of water to suck UP.
If you have a blanket bag, they make excellent mini greenhouses. I started all my seedlings in there & it's on a heating pad set at low.

Actually, Last night I invented the most amazing heating system for my babies!

I have a little 24" tall 2 drawer dresser. I place it on top of my large dresser. placed the plants in the opened drawers... so the drawers hunger over the edge of the big dresser. I then placed my heater underneath... creating a steady warming upbreeze. This morning my spouts looked SO much happier! I think I am watering them too much. Its hard to know just how muich they need. So used to seeing the top look dry and thinking that means to water. So... I just dont know. Been watering just a spoonful per pot each day as the top dries up. I think its best I stick my finger in and see how it is towards the botom. This second try with my second set of spouts are doing SO muchbetter. I can see a healthier stem brighter colored leaves.. I can see them wanting to grow towards the light... the others... just grew. I used fresher soil, added p stuff to give it betterdrainage...So... they have more going for them. but the best... is my little heating method.


Besides my seedlings.. I have a tons more seeds starting... I think the extra bottom heat is going to do them a lot of good too. It makes sense that the better the conditions are when they germinate... the better the seedlings they'll be. so... even if these first spouts just cant make... I have anmother set

thanks for all the suggestions, pics, comments