Professor Lee,
I’m trying to grow for the first time and I killed my plants before they could get started. I’m using a window with great natural light with a couple of fluorescents to extend the daylight hours. I bought a professional potting soil mix that has nutrients and water retaining crystals in it. My seeds came from a seed shop and I started them with the wet paper towel method. As soon as they sprouted I tucked them into the soil and gently watered. The sprouts broke the surface the next day and then promptly died. I spent good money on them and have no idea what went wrong. There wasn’t a draft or anything from the window and my house is in the mid 70’s Fahrenheit (22-25°C). Any idea of what could have happened?
Pot Luck,
Dear Pot Luck,
Not a lot to go on… but, I suggest reading the ingredients on the potting soil you used. See if it includes weed killer. Believe it or not weed killer really will kill your weed. Other than that you seem to have the right idea. My first successful grow was with a simple window garden. One additional suggestion, if you aren’t already doing so, once you get some plants growing be sure to use a reflective screen to bounce some natural light back towards the back side of the plants. This will cut down on the amount of rotating you have to do to promote symmetrical growth and increase overall yields.
Good Luck, Pot Luck,
Professor Lee
