Will this work?

LoreD · November 9, 2006

In the spring starting a lot of seedlings can be a pain. I was wondering if this would work.

I could fill the 96 seed cell tray about 3/4 full (to prevent the seedstarter from exploding out of seedcell when I moisten) with dry seedstarter and then put 1 or 2 seeds in each seed cell, wrap in plastic to prevent them from becoming moist, and then when I am ready to use them I just put the cell trays in a pan of water to moisten.

I know about the wintersown project but I didn't want the plants germinating when they are ready but when I'm ready for them.

I could start getting this ready in January, stack them up, and get them out when I'm ready.

I start between 300-400 seedlings at a time for four weeks and I think this might be a big timesaver for me.

Would this work?

LoreD

montanamato · November 9, 2006

Depending on how dry your seed starting mix is, I don't know if the water takeup would be adequate...or too much ? The seeds shouldn't settle much, so it could...You could try it on a small scale this year and expand if it works...
For me the initial seed starting isn't too bad...but I have really started to dread potting up hundreds of seedlings...I am a little too anal to go with anything as easy as winter sowing unfortunately....
Let us know if you try...

Jeanne

Mireille · November 13, 2006

I do that for many years. I prepare in January because I go in vacations between the 15th of February until the 15th of March. I fill the pots with dry mix (Promix) and put the seeds in. I put all my pots under lights with a timer and then at the beginning of March I asked someone to put water in the container and when I return the plants are already leaf off and starting making their first leaves.

November 9, 2006	#1
LoreD Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 306	Will this work? In the spring starting a lot of seedlings can be a pain. I was wondering if this would work. I could fill the 96 seed cell tray about 3/4 full (to prevent the seedstarter from exploding out of seedcell when I moisten) with dry seedstarter and then put 1 or 2 seeds in each seed cell, wrap in plastic to prevent them from becoming moist, and then when I am ready to use them I just put the cell trays in a pan of water to moisten. I know about the wintersown project but I didn't want the plants germinating when they are ready but when I'm ready for them. I could start getting this ready in January, stack them up, and get them out when I'm ready. I start between 300-400 seedlings at a time for four weeks and I think this might be a big timesaver for me. Would this work? LoreD __________________ Its not what you get to keep in life, its what you get to give away.

November 9, 2006	#2
montanamato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 1,038	Depending on how dry your seed starting mix is, I don't know if the water takeup would be adequate...or too much ? The seeds shouldn't settle much, so it could...You could try it on a small scale this year and expand if it works... For me the initial seed starting isn't too bad...but I have really started to dread potting up hundreds of seedlings...I am a little too anal to go with anything as easy as winter sowing unfortunately.... Let us know if you try... Jeanne

November 13, 2006	#3
Mireille Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mirabel, Qc, Canada, zone 5 Posts: 103	I do that for many years. I prepare in January because I go in vacations between the 15th of February until the 15th of March. I fill the pots with dry mix (Promix) and put the seeds in. I put all my pots under lights with a timer and then at the beginning of March I asked someone to put water in the container and when I return the plants are already leaf off and starting making their first leaves.