Seed Starting
I have been dreaming of a cut flower garden for many years. 2021 was my fist year starting seeds indoors and growing flowers for cutting. I have always had a love for gardening and wanted to try something new. I have been obsessed with Floret for about 3 years and have watched many mini course videos. Since I was able to get Floret seeds this year, I decided to give it a try and could not be happier. It’s hard to believe it has only been 6 months since I started growing these seeds.
I planted these seeds March 28 and these are them now 6 months later.
After watching all Floret’s course videos I could, I ended up purchasing cell trays, a stand, heat mats, labels, and grow lights along with chains for lights. I ended up planting celosia, zinnias, stock, snapdragons, and foxgloves. I planted 4 – 40 cell seed trays, one tray of snapdragons, one tray of celosia, one tray of zinnias, and one tray of 25 stock and 15 foxgloves. I used seedling soil mix along with vermiculite for my seed tray soil. I tried to keep in my mind that this was going to be a test to see how I do as well as the plants. I also tried to be aware of my zone I live in West Texas zone 8A. We have high heat in the summer as well as freezes into March -April. We also have quite a bit of wind and hail, but more on that later. I wanted to try zinnias and celosia due to their heat tolerance. But I also wanted to try snapdragons and stock because of their cool tolerance. I also just love foxgloves and knew I was going to be trying these for a few years since they are biennials and would take time for me to learn if they will tolerate my area. The picture below is of blooms from a foxglove plant I purchased from a local garden center already two years old.
At first my plan was to keep the seeds in my garage in a mini greenhouse stand with a temperature-controlled heater. This plan lasted only three days before I realized I could keep them warm enough at night but not cool enough during the day. So, into the laundry room they went, it was a tad tight fit but ended up working out fine (husband did not like this location). I checked on them every day to watch their growth and water needs. I added fish emulsion and liquid kelp for fertilizer into their water about twice a month. The fish emulsion smells extra awful, but I can’t complain all the seedlings turned out great. I really like the cell trays which made seeding, sprouting with the domes, and watering very easy.
The zinnia seeds sprouted first with the others following close behind. I kept the trays on the heat mats until they sprouted for a few days. Then I removed the domes and heat mats and put the grow lights above the trays. They remained like this until I started taking them slowly outside every day to get them acclimated to the wind and sun in June.
I planted them into their raised beds in early June. I planted them together with regards to mature height. The stock and snapdragons were planted together in one bed. Zinnias and celosia together in the other bed. I placed the foxgloves in pots around the house since I knew those would have to make it through the winter before they would bloom the following year (fingers crossed). I did install irrigation to the raised beds that water once a day. I also added Bio-tone Starter Organic Fertilizer to the beds when planting.
Lessons Learned
Start earlier! I know I kept telling myself this, but I really do need to start this earlier next year. Other than that I am very happy with the results.