Journey of a Seedling
Episode: #4 23/09/2006
Presenter: Melissa King
As with most things, when it comes to seedlings you get what you pay for and well-produced plants mean better growth and performance and healthier seedlings that are less susceptible to pest and disease. You also get the benefits of improved breeding which results in better colours, superior flavours and forms.
The journey begins in the sowing shed with seed sourced from quality breeders. Right now all the spring and summer lines are being sown like petunias, impatiens, marigolds, tomatoes, capsicums and chillies.
Seed is distributed into plug trays using a drum or needle seeder, depending on the shape and size of the seed. The seed raising mix is low in nutrients, very light and free draining to encourage germination.
The freshly sown trays are then fed through a watering tunnel before entering the germination chamber.
Inside the germination chamber, light, temperature and moisture are all controlled for optimum germination. The seed trays remain there for 1-14 days depending on the variety. Then it is into the polyhouse.
It is still reasonably warm but cooler than the germination chamber, to begin hardening them off to outdoor conditions. They stay there until they reach transplantable stage (development of 1-2 true leaves) and develop a good root system. It is at this stage that they are transplanted into seedling punnets.
A machine then picks up the young seedlings from the plug trays and transplants them into the punnets. They are then double checked by staff to ensure they are planted properly.
The final stage is proper labelling with the right information to guarantee success.
Before the seedlings are ready for sale, they are gradually exposed to tougher conditions to prepare them for a life outdoors and once they have reached the right size and established a good root system it is off to the nursery.
The one thing you can always depend on is that quality seedlings always end up in the best garden centres, like the Greenery in Heidelberg. It is where you will find quality grown seedlings that are guaranteed to perform, that includes the latest new release varieties, plus an enormous selection of this season?s vegetables and flowers.
The Greenery Heidelberg
4 Banksia St, Heidelberg Vic 3084
Tel: 03 9459 8433
Fax: 03 9459 3017
Melway ref 32 C5
heidelberg@thegreenery.com.au
The Greenery Templestowe
107 Porter St, Templestowe Vic 3106
Tel: 03 9846 2255
Fax: 03 9846 4770
Melway ref 33 C3
templestowe@thegreenery.com.au
http://www.thegreenery.com.au/welcome.html
Oasis Horticulture Cranbourne
2320 South Gippsland Hwy Five Ways
Victoria 3977
Phone 03 5998 3237
Fax 03 5998 3661
AS SEEN ON 
