Setup for Starting Many Seeds

[777thSunRay]

I am getting ready to plant a good number of seeds, about which I have posted before. I just want to be sure all the details of my planned method are correct.

Presuming that I do not have to, or have already made special preparations, such as cold stratification, I would like to know the best way to proceed.

I am thinking of putting my large seeding trays outside. Should I wait to do this until the first 'true leaves' have formed? At this point, when true leaves have formed, should I apply a seedling starter solution, and then at what point to I move to standard, maturing plant, fertilizer?

Should I keep the trays on heat mats, with thermostat set to the appropriate temps for the seed varieties?

Should I use the covers, with some ventilations, to maintain humidity, and also to filter out some of the Sun's uv intensity? Is this necessary, and/or some other form of shade, like a low percent shade cloth?

Thanks in advance!

 

[penumbra]

Just a couple points from my experience. Outside does not work for me unless they are in a seedbed that is covered to protect from critters.
I don't fertilize most seedlings for the first month after they germinate but this varies according to the plant. Some have higher energy reserves than others.
Heat mats are useful but not necessary for many seeds. I find them more useful for cuttings.
Most seed starting mixes are too fine and hold too much water. My seed mixes vary, but I usually cut them with quite a bit of perlite. No one mix does it for all seeds.
I seldom use covers for seeds, except the aforementioned wire covers to keep the varmints at bay. There are some that will benefit but I start most of my seeds in a plant room that already has about 50% humidity.
Covers on plants outside will cook in the sun within a very short time. Think an hour or less.
Try to visit a greenhouse if you can.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I start outside. Indoor ->outdoor is problems for me and the plants.

Seedling starter solutions aren't needed. If you want to fertilize, start when the first leaves (forgot the scientific term, was it hypocotyl?) are spent: they are the first source of nutrients and sugars.
Use an adult fertilizer but a lower concentration.

I don't use mats and I never will. My seeds and seedlings need to survive outdoors. Best to do the culling of the weak immediately and not spend too much time on things that will die anyway.

I use covers against birds, that's all. No humidity and so on. Because this can get hot real fast, needs adequate care and a single gust of wind can flip everything over. Not a big fan of that. So metal mesh it is.

 

[Shibui]

I start outside. Indoor ->outdoor is problems for me and the plants.

Me too. Leaves that open indoors are adjusted to indoor light and humidity. When plants are moved the leaves then need to adjust to new conditions ,meanwhile plants don't grow.
Sow seed, put trays where they are to grow and let them get on with it.
No heat mats for me either. There's no heat mats in the forest and seeds germinate well out there. Artificial heating for very specialized species only.
Timing of fertilizer depends on the soil and species but usually start fertilizing around the time the first true leaves are open. Seedlings are very resilient and can survive for weeks or months without supplementary fert but will certainly do better with some earlier.
Covers on propagation trays will almost certainly cook seedlings in direct sun, even for a short time. Vents may or may not cope with excess heat depending how strong the sun is and how long it shines on the covers. Seedlings of most species are quite capable of growing without a cover. Do plants in the forest need plastic covers to survive?
Plastic covers can be useful if starting early in the season with a heat pad to get temps up or for very specialist species but not useful for most temperate species.
In shaded areas plastic covers are likely to maintain high humidity which can cause problems with damping off and other fungal infections.
Sunshine includes UV which is antibiotic so can reduce fungal problems.

 

[sorce]

I put no value on anything "Bonsai".

Yet, point me to someone who starts seeds outdoors in hellish conditions and culls like culling is going out of style (oh, it has) and I will have found the first thing of value advertised as "Bonsai".

If these are for sale, there will be no better advertising campaign.

If they are for personal use, all the more reason not to eff yourself.

You're not growing spiders or Victoria Secret models.

Sorce