This is the first time I have tried to grow from seed and have a few questions.

How long should the roots be before you pot up new seedlings. Should they be potted up as soon as germination begins or should I wait until there are a certain number of roots or attain a specific length. I am using the Laaz baggie method for germination. So far I have a couple seeds with 1 root approx 1/2" long.

Also, when potting up should I place the seedling pot within a baggie to keep the humidity up until the seedlings get to be a certain size. I will write back later on how to prevent damp-off disease.

Thanks in advance
Andi

I was using a cover on my germinated seeds, and they seemed to get damping off way too often. Now i just spritz when I remember and have the humidifier running sometimes.

those using the baggie method are suggesting to pot them up before the root starts curling. I just potted up the cutest kumquat with 3 lateral rootlets! YAY!

My first effort at raising citrus from seed began Christmas Eve with two seeds from a Moro. One seed was round and plump, the other elongated and immature. Planted each seed about 1/4" deep in its own 2 1/4" peat pot using standard retail potting mix. After watering thoroughly until the peat was saturated and allowing to drain until barely dripping, I placed both pots in a quart sized zip-lock bag. The baggie went on top of a pair of 200W stereo amplifiers that are on all the time.

The plump seed sprouted at around the two week mark. At this point I mounted a 65W grow light above the plants. After an additional week of growth I noticed the tap root was extending beyond the drain hole, so I potted up into a 16 oz. plastic drink cup. I cut 4 drain holes in the bottom rim of the cup. I transferred this plant to its own gallon size zip-lock bag.

When I transplanted the 1st seedling, it quickly wilted when exposed directly to the grow lamp. When I resealed the baggie, it quickly bounced back. After another week, I began opening the baggie for the 8 hours or so at night I turn off the light. Now the seedling is able to tolerate the lamp directly without any noticeable adverse effect. Today I placed it, outisde of the baggie, next to a south facing window for a few hours of natural light.

The 2nd seed, which I really didn't expect to germinate, sprouted after 30 days or so. It is progressing much more slowly and is still in the peat pot. I keep it sealed in the original baggie, opening occasionally for some fresh air.

Neither plant has shown any signs of damping off.

Kent

A citrus seed germinated by the bag method, can be potted into a SMALL container just as soon as it has germinated, but before the roots curl. Damping off, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia, is one of the biggest killers of new seedlings. To help prevent the death of your seedling, place the container in a well ventilated sunny area, and water the seedling only in the morning, so the sun's rays will quickly dry the surfce of the soil. It is important that seeds get their start in "soil" that has been sterilized (pasteurized). Most all commerical potting soil is sterile when you purchase it. You can sterilize old potting mixes by putting it in an oven proof container 3 inches deep and bake at 200 degrees F, until a meat thermometer reads 180 F. Do not over cook. - Millet

Millet, at what point do you begin applying fertilizer to seedlings?

I recently read an article on-line about urea based fertilizer. That article cautioned against urea use with seed and seedlings because of the temporary creation of free ammonia in the soil as the urea dissolves. I have an urea free 20-10-20 fertilizer, that derives its Nitrogen from 8% Ammoniacal Nitrogen and 12% Nitrate Nitrogen. Is this safe for seedling use? Should I apply at less than the prescribed rate, like maybe 1/4 strength, on a weekly basis?

Kent

Hi Kent, By incorporating a slow release nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer such as Osmocote and STEM micronutrients directly into the germinating medium, the seedlings can begin absorbing nutrients very early, most likely, as soon as the first root is only a fraction of an inch long. ONLY the 18-6-12 formulation of Osmocote (6 to 9 month formulation) is recommended since it has a slow initial release of nutrients, which coincides well with the developing seedling and the favorable nitrogen to phosphorus ratio. Faster release fertilizer sources or even moderate levels of liquid fertilizer may inhibit seedling growth. Osmocote 18-6-12 should be used at a rate of 95 grams per cubic foot, and STEM is added at the rate of 17 grams per cubic foot.

Millet
Sempringham Lincolnshire UK