Know Your Seed Starters
Posted: Thursday, October 09, 2008
by Arlene Wright-Correll
http://www.learn-america.com
Starting your plants from seeds is very rewarding to say nothing of aiding the frugal gardener. Over the years I have started seeds in many different manners and I have found two that I like very much.
One is the Mini Grow Plug Seed Kits. I have used these for years and I like them because the Styrofoam blocks with their preformed holes for the peat plugs are reusable again and again. They fit into a standard seed-starting tray that comes with the whole kit and the Styrofoam blocks float on water to keep the seedlings moist. The mini grow plugs come in a bag and they are fitted into the block, watered, expand and then put two or three seeds into the center hole of each plug, as they grow thin out to the strongest. The whole seed will send roots down to fill the whole plug which you can easily pull out and then insert into the ground or your larger container. I have had more successes with this kind of seed starter than any other.
My second choice of seed starters is the dehydrated seed pellet which is basically pellets made from coarsely crushed peat moss that have nutrients added to them. The dehydrated peat moss pellets are compactly made into various sizes and forms and usually have expandable, biodegradable netting around them. Once you add water to the pellets they expand to form a pot that is also the soil into which you put your seed.
You can set many of these expanded pellets into a tray and water as they need it. I have had many successes with this kind of seed starter also and one can add two or three seeds to each one and then thin out leaving the strongest plant.
Once the plants are the size for transplanting, one only needs to dig a hole in the soil and insert the whole expanded pellet into the ground. These are sometimes referred to as Jiffy Pellets and are not to be confused with a product called Jiffy Pots which are another type of seed starter.
Jiffy Pots are usually made from wood pulp and all natural sphagnum peat thus making them totally biodegradable and this allows them to be transplanted into larger containers or directly into the ground. If you go with this method make sure you buy the 4" x 3 & 3/4 " size which is good for peppers, tomatoes, flower bedding plants and other types of vegetables.
One fills these cups with their starting soil and put in two or three seeds, keep them watered, and then thin your plants, retaining the strongest one. The thing I dislike about this type of starting pot is that I have to fill them up with dirt or starter soil, water them and often if I am not paying attention I can accidentally spray my seed out of the pots thus making this type of starter pot low on my totem pool of seed starters. Plus they can easily tip over and spill out their contents.
"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime May your day be filled with Peace, Light and Love,
Author's note: This article was originally written for GreenThumbArticles.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Arlene, I'm really glad I found this article. I have tried to raise fome onions from seed and have had very poor luck. The reason I'm trying to do that is because I cannot find White Bermuda Crystal Wax onion plants. But I can find the seed. I wanted to grow a lot of them because we love them green and fresh when they are just starting to form a bulb. Only one thing, I don't know what type of bedding soil to sow the seed in. If you know of a good type and where it can be gotten, I would surely be appreciative to know of it.I am so glad the article was there for you. I always have said "What you need is there when you need it."As to the soil, golly, I am not sure what to recommend to you for the peat pots which are really my last choice of seed starters. But I would probably invest in some good organic plant starter. As for me, when I do use peat pots or need to have some good organic soil (since I no longer keep a compost pile) and without sounding like a commerical I just buy Miracle-Gro, 16 QT, Organic Potting Soil as the label says it consists of all natural Ingredien Including starter & slow release plant food for optimal plant growth & yields. I find it great for growing edibles in containers.However using the plugs or the peat pellets you do not need any bedding soil as it is all ready in the plugs and peat pellets. I think I would use these as I would need feel that I would have less of a failure rate with the plugs or peat pellets.Why not google the words "organic plant starter" and I think you will get lots of hits.Hope I have been some help.“Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…
Peace, Light and Love,
One suspects good tips for the novice and the expertsThanks for reading my article Robert.“Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…
Peace, Light and Love,
hi arlene,this all sounds so fascinating, and peaceful.to watch something grow that you planted is enlightening, to say the least. thank you for sharing,best regards,sue thomYes, Sue, it certainly is and when one uses heirloom seeds one can harvest part of their crop for next years seeds simply by washing them carefully in clear water, drying between paper towels and storing in a small container bearing the seed name for next year.“Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…
Peace, Light and Love,
Hi Arlene - your spirit shines through your article. Contrary to other members in my family, I have never had a green thumb although I wish I had, Thanks for sharing this and wishing you well.
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