Baptisa seedling care - Ask Extension
Hi there!
It's my first time growing something from seed since maybe the 3rd grade. I have some Baptisia seeds that I scarified and was cold strat...
Knowledgebase
Baptisa seedling care #890946
Asked December 20, 2024, 11:27 AM EST
Hi there!
It's my first time growing something from seed since maybe the 3rd grade. I have some Baptisia seeds that I scarified and was cold stratifying when some of them began to sprout..! I put them in little seedling things and boy, they've really taken off! Their roots were already coming out of the bottom of the seedling pods so I sized them up a bit but I've been reading about what long tap roots Baptisia plants get and I'm concerned about providing them with enough support to carry them through til May or June when I can get them planted outside (More specifically--for their root system). They're currently in a warmish enclosed space with a grow light on for a good chunk of the day with seedling soil that I'm trying to balance out in not soaking but maintaining enough moisture.
Do you have any tips or advice for this unexpectedly long indoor growing season for them before I harden them off and plant them outdoors in May/June? (Or am I way overthinking things and there's not necessarily anything special I "need" to be doing for them?)
Thank you so much!
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The Baptisia seedlings might not survive indoors, given the weeks of winter left before planting time outdoors.
Grow the seedlings on the cool side (55-60 degrees) in the brightest possible light and see what happens.
Continue measures you have taken to keep the growing medium moist, but not wet.
If the seedlings prosper, transplant to deeper pots as needed.
If the seedlings don't fare well and you have more seeds, delay scarification and stratification until six to eight weeks before the last frost.
Some of the following information may be useful:
https://brightlanegardens.com/native-plants/seed-starting/grow-false-indigo-from-seed/
https://www.gardenmyths.com/growing-baptisia-australis-from-seed/
Grow the seedlings on the cool side (55-60 degrees) in the brightest possible light and see what happens.
Continue measures you have taken to keep the growing medium moist, but not wet.
If the seedlings prosper, transplant to deeper pots as needed.
If the seedlings don't fare well and you have more seeds, delay scarification and stratification until six to eight weeks before the last frost.
Some of the following information may be useful:
https://brightlanegardens.com/native-plants/seed-starting/grow-false-indigo-from-seed/
https://www.gardenmyths.com/growing-baptisia-australis-from-seed/