Common problems with pre-cultivation - and how to solve them

For seedlings, it is easy to overwater during pre-cultivation. Newly sown seeds should not dry out, but they also cannot be drowned in water. When the soil is overwatered, there are fewer air pockets and less vital oxygen for the tiny plants. In the worst case, the sprouts may wither. Another problem that easily arises if you water too much is that you may attract fungus gnats, which gnaw on the roots of the seedlings.

Solution: Always cultivate in pots and seedling trays with drainage holes at the bottom. Also, feel the soil every day, and wait a day or two before watering if the soil is already moist.

If you find it difficult to know how much to water, you can use a watering mat - a kind of cloth that you can place under the plants, watering them from the bottom. If the disaster has already occurred and the plants are starting to wither, you can try to save them by replanting them in new soil and watering a little less going forward. Be aware that some plants, such as cucumbers, are extra sensitive to root rot. Avoid watering right by the stem of these plants, and preferably plant them with a little extra soil right around the stem so that excess water can drain away from the plant.

Too dry
A seed that has started to sprout must not dry out, as this will halt its development. The risk of drying out is higher for heat-loving seeds often grown on a heat mat, such as peppers and chili. These plants can dry out very quickly and should therefore be checked regularly.

Solution: Check the moisture level daily by sticking your finger into the soil.

You can use a mini greenhouse or a plastic cover to reduce evaporation, as the water that evaporates will return to the soil. You can also use a watering mat under the pots. When the mat is wet, the plants can continuously absorb the water they need.

Too little light
Summer is short in Norway, and the light on the windowsill is often not sufficient to pre-cultivate until a little into April. Too little light makes the plants weak and wobbly, in the worst case they can collapse.

Solution: When using plant lighting, the plants become chubby and healthy, and they stand nicely until it's time to plant them out.

There are several different types of plant lights to choose from, everything from simple bulbs that can be screwed into a regular lamp socket to more advanced light tubes and plant lighting fixtures. Regardless of which type you choose, plant lighting makes a huge difference when pre-cultivating. Eventually, when the days become long and bright enough, the windowsill can do the job, but seeds that need to be sown early in the spring get very difficult growth conditions without extra light. This applies to early perennials, eggplant, leeks, artichokes, chili, and bell peppers.

For seedlings exposed to very strong light, such as newly sprouted plants, they can get burnt leaves which negatively affects their growth. It is also challenging to maintain even moisture when the plants are in direct sunlight, for example in a sunny windowsill or a greenhouse without shade.

Solution: Let the newly sown plants stay a bit further in the room, and make sure to provide shade for pre-cultivated plants in the greenhouse so they don't get burnt - the spring sun can be strong. If you have plants that have been damaged by plant lighting, you should increase the distance between the lamp and the plants.

For little nutrition, most fresh plants thrive best in nutrient-poor soil, as long as they are small and delicate, but after a while they need more nutrition to continue growing. If the plant has stopped growing, has yellow leaves, shriveled leaves, or is losing leaves, it may indicate a lack of nutrition.

Solution: Too much fertilizer can be overwhelming for newly planted plants, they can "burn" from the fertilizer, so it is usually best to wait until the plants have grown a bit. Be careful when adding nutrients to small and delicate plants, add a very small amount over a longer period of time - diluted fertilizer water can be a smart solution.

If the plant has outgrown the pot, it is time to replant it in new and nutrient-rich soil.

Too much nutrients
New plants should be acclimated to nutrients gradually. Most newly planted plants do not need a lot of nutrients and should be planted in nutrient-poor soil. Overdosing can lead to root damage and dried out tips and edges of leaves. A plant that receives too much nutrients may grow well at first, but then suddenly turn yellow and wilt.

Solution: Educate yourself on the nutritional needs of plants, as all plants are different. Check out our plant guides, with advice tailored to each plant. Small doses of nutrients over time are better than large one-time doses. If you suspect that the plant has received too much nutrients, it may be wise to replant it in new soil.