To keep seedlings healthy and growing, feed them gelatin! Any flavor is okay as long as it’s sweetened with sugar and not artificial sweeteners.
The gelatin contains the nutrient nitrogen, which helps plants form green leaves. The sugar actually feeds beneficial microbes already in the soil that help young plants defend against disease causing organisms. Here’s how to go about it:
- Fill the flats with seed starting mix.
- Sow the seeds in the flats.
- Use an old saltshaker to lightly sprinkle powdered gelatin over the seedlings.
- Press the seeds and gelatin into the soil.
- Cover with a thin layer of starting mix.
- Mist the soil and cover with wet paper towels.
- Place the flats in a warm area (around 65° F to 75° F).
- Keep the towels moist by occasionally misting them, and check the flats daily for sprouts.
- As soon as you see growth, remove the paper towels.
- After the plants take off, feed them liquid fertilizer with a teaspoon of gelatin powder mixed into each gallon.
Watch this video to find out more.