Starting Seeds Indoors

All year long my kitchen has a very festive corner where a riot of colors are highlighted under grow lights. This flower cart livens up even the drab winter days and nights. We also have a long grow light fixture in the dining room. We can literally grow hundreds of seedlings or dozens of flowering plants.

(The flower cart in these images has four lamps in each of the three levels of light fixtures. If this is more light than you want, two lamp fixtures are available. The light fixtures slide up and down to raise or lower the level of the lamps. See more carts.)

Propagating more plants

Mail order seeds are inexpensive and usually have a high germination rate. Or, with a little patience and experience, anyone can learn to root cuttings from their favorite plants. Once you are sure that you are not using patented plants, you may propagate new plants from your old ones.

There are many books and web sites dedicated to propagation techniques. (See list of links at bottom of page.) This is a fun way to expand your own garden or to give gifts to friends. Start your own "friendship garden" by exchanging plants with friends and family.

For hummingbirds and butterflies

Two flowering plants which I have found to be especially easy to grow are salvia coccinea and annual milkweed. The red salvia will reseed in following years. It is a bright and cheerful addition to any wildlife garden. Hummingbirds love it. Migrating warblers enjoy searching for bugs in these plants.

Annual milkweed will produce vivid flowers the same year. Monarchs are often seen among the milkweed flowers. Large milkweed bugs are also common.

Seed Germination

I start my seeds earlier than recommended. I like to have time to pinch them back to create bushier plants. It is possible to purchase trays with hoods that are for seed starting. The planting cells in these trays are available in multiple sizes. The smaller the cell, the sooner the plant will need to be placed outside. (The third image on this page shows a hooded tray - second shelf at the right edge of image.) Peat pots work well also.

Soil should be finely textured without rocks, mulch or debris. The seed package will tell you everything you need to know about planting depth and whether the seeds need darkness or light for germination. Germinating seeds is usually an easy task. Just keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds germinate. See links at the bottom of the page for indoor seed germination techniques.

Vegetables and Herbs

I haven't always had enough room to add vegetables and herbs to my indoor winter garden. They usually are planted outside but we have enjoyed tomatoes, peppers, and basil grown from seeds that we started.

Outdoor temperatures too cold?

Tender perennials and tropical plants can be brought indoors. To increase the humidity, place pebbles in the bottom of the trays and add water.

Outdoor temperatures too hot?

Geraniums, for instance, do not like the intense heat of my Texas summers. I bring them indoors until fall.

Geranium seedlings (left) and a variety of annual, perennial and vine seedlings in my winter indoor garden.

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LINKS FOR PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES

1. NC State University - Leaf, Cane and Root Cuttings
2. NC State University - Plant Propagation by Stem Cuttings
3. Virginia Cooperative Extension - Starting New Plants From Stem Cuttings

1. NC State Univ. A&T State Univ. Operative Extension - Indoor Seed Propagation Under Florescent Lamps
2. The Gardener's Network - Indoors Seedling Planting, Germination and Care