When to remove propogator lid?

Splandy

I have cosmos seedlings in a lidded propogator. They’re all doing quite well but I still haven’t taken the lid off. Should I have taken it off once they were visible? A few of them look a little unhappy now where it looks like the leaves have touched the lid. 

I have six cells of a different seed inside the same propogator which haven’t yet germinated. Should I take the germinated cosmos out of the outer tray so those seeds can still benefit from the lid?

Busy-Lizzie

Yes, I'd take the germinated ones out. Touching the lid won't do them any good. Are they tall and skinny, leggy? They may need more light. When you pot them on when the true leaves appear you can bury a good bit of the stems, Cosmos is OK with that, makes a sturdier plant.

Splandy

I feel like they might be leggy, I’m not sure. I’ve never grown anything from seed before so I’m guessing. They touched more at the sides where they’ve leaned a bit rather than the top though they are quite tall. Does the fact that they leaned or flopped a bit mean they are leggy? I’ve had them in a south facing conservatory but they weren’t at the end, they were facing west. I’ve been moving them around in there with the sun a bit for the last few days. Obviously the conservatory is still very bright but it wasn’t all day direct light where they were initially situated. I can put them on my bedroom windowsill to achieve that but it gets so hot and is so sunny I thought it might be too much for them. I’m not sure what to do for the best.

Do the true leaves appear underneath the first ones? There are no other leaves at the moment. Forgive this badly worded question but does that mean they will need to grow even taller to grow the bit of stem that will have the true leaves on it?

In general, should you remove the lid once they have germinated or should you leave it on for a while?

Lyn

Cosmos don’t need heat, it will make them grow weak and leggy, the new leaves will be feathery looking, when they appear you can bury them deeper in a new pot each. 

UpNorth

Splandy said:

I feel like they might be leggy, I’m not sure.....

.....I’ve had them in a south facing conservatory but they weren’t at the end, they were facing west.

Do the true leaves appear underneath the first ones? There are no other leaves at the moment. Forgive this badly worded question but does that mean they will need to grow even taller to grow the bit of stem that will have the true leaves on it?

 should you remove the lid once they have germinated or should you leave it on for a while?

trying to answer  your paragraphs quoted above...

yes they will be leggy.  not a worry.

good..keep them out of direct sunlight for now, they're so young.  perhaps in another 3-5 weeks more sun will be great.

true leaves appear above/after first leaves.  

yes remove lid when some, lets say 5+ have germinated.

as Lyn said, just as true leaves (ie second set) start/have appeared then start pricking out into individual pots....and again as Lyn....bury deeper than already, thus dealing with some of the legginess problem. 

we all get leggy seedlings, not a worry

p.s. i have pricked out cosmos last weekend, some didn't have true leaves yet and all is well with them....i have dozens more to prick out this weekend probably!  

grow them on indoor

Cosmos is a great starter for ten on seeds...they're quite rugged, don't stress too much, they'll make it.

Lyn

They are a great starter, and it’s best to start them off around mid April, you still can’t plant them out until end of May. 

Janie B

@Splandy I feel your anxiety! I'm seed growing (cosmos inter alia) for the first time this year too. Am finding it so thrilling, am surprised I've not done it before!