Supplies for Successfully Sowing Cut Flower Seeds Indoors

Are you considering growing your flowers and vegetables from seed this year? I’ve compiled a list of supplies needed to start sowing your seeds indoors to grow strong and healthy plants.

I start seeds in the greenhouse rather than planting them directly in the garden. This is mainly because the weather can be unpredictable this time of year in the Pacific Northwest, and seeds are so delicate and can be damaged very easily.

Growing a cut flower garden from seed starts with how you sow your seeds. It’s important to have the right supplies to start sowing your seeds and the right environment to grow healthy seedlings.

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Quality Seeds

Using quality seeds is essential for growing a successful cut flower garden.

They are more likely to produce strong, healthy plants that are more resistant to disease and pests and are better equipped to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Investing in quality seeds means your flowers will provide the following:

I have bought over 90% of my flower seeds from Floret Flower Farm. To see the cut flower seeds I chose to grow for the last three years, click the buttons below.

Seed Starting Mix

Using regular potting soil is one of the mistakes beginning gardeners make when starting their cut flower garden from seed.

Start your seeds with a high-quality seed-starting mix that contains nutrients and the proper pH balance.

Look for seed-starting media that is free of toxic substances. Avoid anything containing synthetic fertilizer or bark, which can burn young plants. Find a seed-starting potting mix that holds moisture properly.

Vermiculite

You can use vermiculite with a seed starting mix to plant seeds in containers.

After sowing the seeds, you can lightly cover them with a thin layer of vermiculite. Here are some of the benefits:

Containers

Choose the Right Container to Start Your Seeds

One of the most important seed-starting supplies is the container that holds the seeds. There are many options for choosing the right container for your seeds. You can start them in anything 2-3 inches deep that holds soil and has drainage holes.

There are many different sizes and shapes of containers and seedling trays to grow seedlings. Choose from a variety of seed-starting containers:

It’s crucial to have holes in the bottom of the container for a plant’s healthy root system. This system needs space to grow so that any water can drain. Otherwise, the water will sit in the container, and the plant will rot.

I get the best results with cell trays for most of my seeds. The 72-cell flats are my favorite because I never have to re-pot seedlings to a larger pot before it’s time to transplant them in the garden.

When planting sweet peas, pumpkins, or vines, I use larger containers, usually 4-inch pots. Root trainers are great for sweet peas, but I have seen a rolled-up newspaper tube work just as well. With so many choices, spending a lot of money on containers is unnecessary.

Clean Used Containers

If you decide to reuse pots or containers, wash them with a one-part bleach / nine-part water solution to kill diseases or pathogens.

Drainage Plastic Trays

You will need a drainage or seedling tray to set the plant containers.

When the seeds are first planted, a bottom tray with water is filled, allowing the plants to soak up water through the bottom holes in the containers.

This watering method helps prevent overwatering and keeps the seeds from washing away if watering overhead. Continue bottom watering until the first leaves start to appear.

Humidity Domes

A humidity dome lid provides a warm and moist environment for indoor seed starting, encouraging germination. I recommend using clear acrylic lids that fit snugly over the seed trays, flats, or pots.

Heating Mats

A heat mat can significantly enhance seed growth, especially in a greenhouse setting.

However, if you don’t have access to a greenhouse, you can achieve similar results by placing your seed trays on top of a radiator or refrigerator.

The concept here is to utilize bottom heat, which raises the soil temperature, giving your seeds a head start. This warmth accelerates germination and maintains an ideal, moist environment for the seeds to thrive quickly and healthily.

Grow Lights

New seedlings need adequate light to grow healthy and strong, with around 14-16 hours of light. Without it, plants tend to become weak and spindly without enough light,

Heat lamps are recommended for growing seedlings, especially in the home or basement. They provide light and heat to encourage healthy, strong plants and help speed up growth.

I started using grow lights in my greenhouse last year. In the past, I relied on the natural light from the skylights and windows in my outdoor structure, and my flowers have always thrived in my cut flower garden.

Seed Starter Kits

If you plan to grow a small number of seeds, purchasing a seed starting kit is convenient and cost-effective. These kits typically bundle several essential components, such as a seed-starting tray, drainage tray, humidity dome, and grow light.

While you might find it more economical to buy these items separately if you’re sowing a variety of seeds as I do, the all-in-one seed starter kit offers simplicity and value for those who need just a few.

If you’re only buying a couple of kits, a pre-assembled seed starter kit is likely the best choice for ease of use and budget-friendliness.

Here are a few of them to choose from:

Seed Starter Kits Available

• Seed Starter Tray with Light, 6PCS Seed Starter Kit with Grow Light, Seedling Starter Trays with Humidity Domes, Covers Height 3.9″, Indoor Gardening Plant Germination Trays (12 Cells per Tray)
• Seed Starter Tray, 40 Cells Seed Starter Kit with Seedling Heat Mat, Germination Tray with Humidity Control Domes, Cloning Kit, Propagation and Germination Station, Heat Mat for Plants Starter Kit
• Seed Starter Kit with Grow Light,72 Cells Seed Starter Tray with Humidity Dome and Seedling Heat Mat Seedling Starter Trays for Seed Starter, Seed Growing Germination Kit, Plant Propagation Kit

Plant Labels or Tags

Label your seedling containers as soon as you sow your seeds. With a marker, write the name of the seed variety and the date you sowed the seeds on the plant tag.

This is one of the seed-starting supplies that often gets overlooked, but labeling plants is so important when growing seedlings and transplanting them outdoors for the growing season.

Temperature-Controlled Heater and Fan

Heater

A temperature-controlled heater in the greenhouse is important when planting seeds because it helps ensure that the temperature and humidity levels are optimal for them to germinate and grow.

Temperature and humidity fluctuations can delay or prevent seed germination, so having a heater that can maintain an ideal temperature is essential for successful seed planting.

I keep our greenhouse at a minimum of 45°F throughout the winter to grow seedlings and overwinter my geraniums.

Fan

Having a temperature-controlled fan in the greenhouse when planting seeds is important because it helps to create a consistent and optimal environment for the seeds to germinate and grow.

CLICK HERE for the thermostat link.

The fan helps to regulate the temperature and promote good air circulation, providing a more even and consistent temperature throughout the day and night.

A fan also helps to reduce the risk of diseases, such as fungal diseases, from developing on the seedlings by reducing humidity and increasing air circulation.

Watering Can or Hose

Regularly water your seedlings in the greenhouse using a watering can or a hose. Until your seeds germinate and sprout, continue bottom watering so you do not wash the tiny seeds away.

The right seed-starting supplies are essential for growing a cut flower garden in the greenhouse.

With the proper supplies and patience, you can create a beautiful, productive cut flower garden that will provide you with a continuous source of fresh flowers.

If you have any questions or additional suggestions, please share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may find these gardening tips useful.

Until next time,

Happy Gardening!

I’m a self-taught hobby gardener. Everything I share on my blog is my opinion and what has worked for me.

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