The time taken for the seeds to germinate and show through the surface varies according to the subject. Some may take only three or four days, others may take the same number of weeks. An indication of germinating time often appears on the package. The information is important so that the newspaper and later the glass can he removed in time. More failures occur at this stage than at any other.
As the time approaches, the containers should be examined once or even twice a day.
Each container should be picked up and inspected crossways, as the smallest seedlings will be virtually invisible looking down from above; and if they are not seen at this time, and the paper not taken off, they draw up like a fine spider's web and invariably collapse when eventually they are recognized and uncovered. This regular examination is vital. Miss the seedlings for only a day, and the whole effort may be a waste of time and money. Larger seedlings are of course, quite easy to spot, but their treatment at this time must be just the same.
Other dangers at this stage are of exposing them too quickly and suddenly to full and direct light, and of the compost surface becoming dry. For a couple of days, the paper and glass can be propped up gently to shade them, gradually giving them more and more light, until after a week or so they are in full light without being exposed to full, strong sunlight.
The move out of the propagator should be done gradually so that the seedlings are not too much affected by the change of temperature. Once two leaves have been made, they will be better with less heat: 45°-50°F (7°-10°C) is about right, but for the first week or so, it may be worth taking them out of the propagator in the day, and putting them back at night. So much depends on the weather outside at this time of year. Very great care must be exercised should they need watering at this stage. If they dry out completely, it is fatal; if they are kept too wet, it just could be fatal. So if there is any doubt, water them - not by spraying overhead, always by soaking from below.
