Outdoor Garden/Plant preparation
Early Spring is a great time to plan and start your
outdoor garden!
Seeds and cuttings can be propagated indoors under fluorescent
or HID lights. If you are using an HID keep light fixture
4-5 feet away from developing plants.
When plants are rooted or on their second set of leaves
(in the case of seed propagation) start feeding plants a diluted nutrient
solution then gradually increase nutrient strength with further feedings.
Similarly with temperature and humidity, it is essential
to gradually change these variables rather than a dramatic change.
This process is known as "hardening off". Propagation domes are very
handy for increasing temperature and humidity. It is important to
remove the propagation dome daily to allow for an exchange of air.
Hardening off not only helps plants adapt to the environment
but help in combatting damping off .
Avoid overwatering and/or overfeeding in earlier stages.
Overwatering and a lack of fresh air can lead to a fungus or disease ,
this is known as "damping off"(fungal disease that attacks young seedlings
causing stem rot at the base).
To help combat damping off use Safer's
No-Damp.
For a more organic approach consider Bio-Bran
Capsules (a fungal inoculant).
After the seedlings or cuttings are rooted and established
they will be ready for transplanting outdoors.
This is the ideal time to treat young plants with Vita
Grow Anti-Wilt spray. Anti-Wilt prevents dehydration by forming
a thin protective film onto the plant's leaves, branches and stalks.
For help and ease of feeding and watering
consider Nutricote
Slow Release fertilizer and Magic
Moisture Crystals. These two products will help provide
consistent nutrient and moisture for outdoor plants that do not receive
a lot of attention.
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