20pcs Hosta Plantaginea Fragrant Plantain and 13 similar items

To prepare to sow your seeds, fill the sterilized planting container with planting media. Moisten the mix until it is thoroughly moist to the touch. The media should not be soggy. Next scatter the seed evenly over the surface of the moist mix. A single container can hold a lot of seeds. The seedlings will only be in the initial container for six to eight weeks, so they can tolerate being shoulder to shoulder. At this point, you have a decision to make - to cover or not to cover the seeds with potting mix. Some hybridizers just press the seeds firmly onto the media to ensure good contact and leave it at that. The disadvantage is that a few seedlings will have trouble getting their first root into the potting mix. A little gentle help with a sharp pencil tip will help wayward roots get growing in the right direction. Hosta seeds do not need light to germinate, so covering them is also acceptable. 1/4 inch or less of mix over the seed will keep the tiny new roots where they belong. Covering also helps to keep the seed from accidentally drying out. Germination chamber Germination chamber constructed of rigid polystyrene insulation sheets with a heat mat in the bottom. Drying out is the kiss of death for germinating seeds and young seedlings. For the next six to eight weeks, it is vital to keep the potting mix constantly moist. Until the first leaves appear, it is best to keep the seeds covered to maintain adequate moisture. Clear domes can be used to cover entire flats or an entire flat can be slipped into a large plastic bag. After the first leaf appears, you can begin to gradually remove the cover for longer periods of time every day. Some hybridizers find that leaving the domes over Hosta seedlings causes no problems and reduces the need to water frequently. A few people even switch to taller domes as the seedlings grow.