Five days after sowing, we’ve got sprouts: grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, small F1 hybrid tomatoes, baby bell peppers (red, orange, yellow), thyme, sage, oregano, dill, marjoram, and several different varieties of basil.

With a germination rate of nearly 100%, this is going to be a good growing season!

Plants at 1 to 2 weeks:

Tomato plants at 7 days

Tomato plants at 14 days

Baby bell peppers at 7 days

Baby bells at 14 days

Basil plantlets at 7 days

Basil plants at 14 days

Various herbs at 7 days

Herb plants at 14 days

Plants three weeks after sowing:

Tomatoes at 21 days – strong stems and root systems

Baby bell peppers at 21 days

Resources:

• Jiffy peat pellets
• Herb seeds, tomato seeds, vegetable seeds and more

(click images to enlarge)

Abutilon (also called ‘Parlor Maple’ or ‘Flowering Maple’) respond very well to passive hydroponic grow systems. Below are photos of several abutilon plants at 6 weeks old and later in bloom.

The plants below were first sown in regular peat plugs and grown under lights for 4 weeks before being transplanted into hydroponic pots with rockwool as the medium. A balanced fertilizer (7-7-7) was used for the first four weeks and then a weak hydroponic bloom booster formula (10-15-10) after transplant into hydro pots.

Lighting consisted of two T12 ‘cool’ fluorescent bulbs (“shop lights”) about 10″ from the plants for about 10 hrs. per day. Although wide spectrum, HID or other specialty grow lights may enhance growth, regular fluorescent lighting is all that is necessary to grow abutilon plants hydroponically. Abutilon may also respond well to other hydroponic growing methods (nutrient drip, flood and drain, aeroponics etc.).

(Click to enlarge)

Abutilon ‘Bella’ hybrid	Abutilon in passive hydroponic pot	Growing abutilon in rockwool cubes
Abutilon ‘Bella’ hybrid	Red Abutilon ‘Bella’
Abutilon in passive hydro pot	Abutilon ‘Giant’ hybrid in rockwool cubes
Yellow Abutilon ‘Giant’ hybrid
Abutilon ‘Maximus’ hybrid	Orange Abutilon ‘Maximus’

Recommended Reading on Hydroponic Growing:

How-To Hydroponics

Hydroponics: A Practical Guide for the Soilless Grower

Hydroponics: Soilless Gardening Explained

Hydrofarm Grow Light System

You may be interested in…

• Abutilon seeds
• Other annual seeds
• Hydroponic systems
• Hydroponic pots
• Hydroponic nutrients and fertilizer
• Hydrofarm 2-Foot Jump Start Grow Light System
• More grow lights
• Floral and Botanical Art

Hypoestes

Mixed varieties of hypoestes

Hypoestes ‘Pink Splash’

Pink spots on green leaves

Hypoestes ‘Red Splash’

Red spots on dark green leaves

Hypoestes ‘Rose Splash’

Pink spots on dark green leaves

Hypoestes ‘White Splash’

White spots on dark green leaves

Thunbergia ‘African Sunset’

Thunbergia ‘Spanish Eyes’

Thunbergia ‘Susie’

Orange thunbergia, dark eye.

Thunbergia alata

Thunbergia alata

White thunbergia, white eye.

Thunbergia alata

Yellow thunbergia, dark eye.

Botanical Name: Hypoestes phyllostachya
Family: Acanthaceae
Type: Annual

Hypoestes are delicate care-free annuals that make a spectacular ground cover or border plant. Seeds sprout easily and plants grow quickly, requiring very little pruning or maintenance. They prefer partial shade and will reseed freely in warmer climates. The plants produce terminal, spike-like racemes of small, tubular pink or blue flowers in late summer or fall (even as house plants if given long enough light exposure) but the flowers are not very showy and are easily overlooked. Hypoestes require lots of water whether grown indoors or out, and are excellent candidates for hydroponics and passive wick watering systems.

Types of Hypoestes

Hypoestes come in various shades of white, pink, red and green with patterns ranging from sparse, tiny dots to large splashes of color. Colors can be against green foliage, or reversed (green dots on pink foliage, for example). One of the most popular varieties is the Hypoestes ‘Splash’ series which have been bred for easy germination, improved heat tolerance and long shelf life. Several seeds can be sown together to quickly fill a patio container or window box display, and plants can be pinched back to promote branching and fullness.

Planting Hypoestes Seeds

For outdoor plants, sow seeds indoors mid-Spring to be transplanted outdoors after last danger of frost has passed. Alternately, seeds can be sown directly outdoors after danger of frost. For indoor plants, seeds can be sown at any time of year.

Plant seeds in seed starting mix and cover over lightly with mix or vermiculite. Place under lights or in a bright window. Seeds germinate in 2 to 3 days. Peat plugs or Jiffy® pellets can be used as well. Heat mats, propagation domes or other equipment are optional and not necessary for successful germination. Average home temperatures are fine for propagating hypoestes plants.

Other names: Black-Eyed-Susan Vine, Blackeyed Susan Plant

Genus: Thunbergia
Family: Acanthaceae; also placed in Thunbergiaceae
Type: Annual

Thunbergia as a House Plant

Thunbergia are fun flowering house plants because of their versatility. They can be grown in a hanging basket, in an indoor window box, up around a window or on a trellis in a window. Thunbergia is a climber with long, thin tendrils that will grab onto anything they can – including shade pulls, mini blinds, and other plants. Hanging baskets should be given enough clearance to allow the plant to hang rather than attach itself to whatever is nearby.

Thunbergia prefer a moist well drained soil and can also be grown hydroponically or semi-hydroponically. They like sun but will bloom freely if grown in partial sun, such as in a window with an Eastern-exposure.

Types of Thunbergia

Thunbergia come in many varieties, both with and without the dark center ‘eye.’ The most popular variety is Thunbergia alata ‘‘Susie’ (Black-Eyed Susan)’ which is a mix of apricot, yellow and ivory flowers with dark centers. Newer varieties such as Thunbergia alata ‘Spanish Eyes‘ and Thun. alata ‘African Sunset‘ show pastel blends including shades of orange, pink, rose and burgundy. Thunbergia are fairly easy to hybridize and new color combinations debut every spring.

How to Sow Thunbergia Seeds

Thunbergia seeds are easy to germinate. Pre-soaking the seeds overnight will hasten germination but is not necessary. Seeds will germinate in 7 to 21 days and flowering takes anywhere from 6 to 9 weeks depending upon pot size. Being root-bound or pot-bound hastens flowering.

Sow seeds at room temperature (70-75F) in a bright window or under lights using a light potting soil, seed starting mix or mix of perlite and vermiculite. Space seeds 1-2 inches apart and cover lightly with soil or mix. Pre-moistened peat plugs or Jiffy® pellets also work well, just drop the seed into the pre-drilled holes.

Some people prefer to use a heated germination mat and/or propagation dome but neither are necessary for successful germination of thunbergia under normal household conditions. If sowing seeds for outdoor plants sow in early spring and slowly acclimate to outdoor conditions for two weeks before transplanting outdoors (after all risk of frost). For house plants seeds can be sown at any time of year.