Tomatoville® Gardening Forums


Notices

Discuss your tips, tricks and experiences growing and selling vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants and herbs.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old January 30, 2018   #31
Rajun Gardener
Tomatovillian™
 
Rajun Gardener's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tomato Cornhole
Posts: 2,550
Default

I have 2 electric heaters in the other GH for freezing temps. It's only a 14x16 GH so it's easy to heat. Those plants survived the freeze we had a few weeks ago when the temps stayed below freezing over 48 hours. That's not normal weather here. If we get another freeze I'll put a small heater in there.

Don't worry about damaging the roots when separating them, they'll grow back. I find it's easier to take them apart with drier soil than too wet.
Rajun Gardener is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #32
BigVanVader
Tomatovillian™
 
BigVanVader's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 3,099
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FourOaks View Post
Guess I wasnt clear. I meant the container.

Hmm.. I might have to take another whack at mass plantings. I need to start a bunch of pepper seeds, today.
I have to start all my stuff inside so I have to use this approach. I also dont worry about ripping roots etc when I tear apart the plants. The peppers in the pic were overgrown tbh, if you transplant before then they are much easier to divide. I've found peppers & tomatoes can take a lot of punishment.
BigVanVader is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #33
Cole_Robbie
Tomatovillian™
 
Cole_Robbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
Default

I don't know exactly what you are using, but that's another advantage of using vermiculite as seed-starting media - when dry, it will fall right off the roots. Perlite is almost as good, but roots tend to stick to it a little more than vermiculite.
Cole_Robbie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #34
FourOaks
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NC
Posts: 511
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rajun Gardener View Post
I have 2 electric heaters in the other GH for freezing temps. It's only a 14x16 GH so it's easy to heat. Those plants survived the freeze we had a few weeks ago when the temps stayed below freezing over 48 hours. That's not normal weather here. If we get another freeze I'll put a small heater in there.

Don't worry about damaging the roots when separating them, they'll grow back. I find it's easier to take them apart with drier soil than too wet.
I always thought/assumed wet roots would be better. Well, this gives me renewed hope.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigVanVader View Post
I have to start all my stuff inside so I have to use this approach. I also dont worry about ripping roots etc when I tear apart the plants. The peppers in the pic were overgrown tbh, if you transplant before then they are much easier to divide. I've found peppers & tomatoes can take a lot of punishment.
I start inside as well. I have a small propane furnace that came out of a camper to keep things alive in a worst case scenario. Duct work runs under the benches blowing the warm air up. But this is only used later in the season when I have ran out of room in the house, under the T8s.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie View Post
I don't know exactly what you are using, but that's another advantage of using vermiculite as seed-starting media - when dry, it will fall right off the roots. Perlite is almost as good, but roots tend to stick to it a little more than vermiculite.
Not sure if this was aimed at me, or someone else, but interesting. I have always used perlite myself. Matter of fact I just mixed more, to fill some 1801s.

Hmm.. might have to get some v. then.
FourOaks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #35
Cole_Robbie
Tomatovillian™
 
Cole_Robbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
Default

I was looking at Van's pic, thinking it looked like my own stuff.

I buy vermiculite as insulation from Menard's. The fine print on the back of the bag says "product of Sun Gro Horticultural Products of Canada."

Mostly I like vermiculite for covering seeds. It retains moisture well and dries out to a different color and texture on top, so I know when to water it. Best of all, similar to perlite, it does not crust over like peat, blocking sprouts from breaking through.
Cole_Robbie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #36
clkeiper
Tomatovillian™
 
clkeiper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ohio
Posts: 4,350
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie View Post
I was looking at Van's pic, thinking it looked like my own stuff.

I buy vermiculite as insulation from Menard's. The fine print on the back of the bag says "product of Sun Gro Horticultural Products of Canada."

Mostly I like vermiculite for covering seeds. It retains moisture well and dries out to a different color and texture on top, so I know when to water it. Best of all, similar to perlite, it does not crust over like peat, blocking sprouts from breaking through.
there are different grades of vermiculite. I tried the Menards stuff but it was very fine. Finer than I wanted. it also comes in coarse which is quite a bit larger... almost "crumble" size, which I went back to my greenhouse/produce materials supplier to buy. Perlite and vermiculite comes in a 4 cu.ft bag if you can find a local supplier.
__________________
carolyn k
clkeiper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #37
clkeiper
Tomatovillian™
 
clkeiper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ohio
Posts: 4,350
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FourOaks View Post
Dang!

Since you asked, my main problem was tangled roots. I couldnt get them undone.

But I will say, that is beautiful pic. What did you use to form that size?
use a sharpened pencil and tease them a bit at the roots. Having drier medium also makes for easier work. too wet and it tears the roots right off.
__________________
carolyn k
clkeiper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #38
BigVanVader
Tomatovillian™
 
BigVanVader's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 3,099
Default

I've used vermiculite before but once I ran out I just use potting mix now. I'm lucky enough to have a local place that sells the good stuff (i.e. not just peat) cheap.
BigVanVader is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #39
BigVanVader
Tomatovillian™
 
BigVanVader's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 3,099
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by clkeiper View Post
use a sharpened pencil and tease them a bit at the roots. Having drier medium also makes for easier work. too wet and it tears the roots right off.
This^ I typically don't water for 3 days before transplanting. I also dont care if i shred the roots, b/c they always survive regardless.
BigVanVader is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #40
FourOaks
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NC
Posts: 511
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie View Post
I was looking at Van's pic, thinking it looked like my own stuff.

I buy vermiculite as insulation from Menard's. The fine print on the back of the bag says "product of Sun Gro Horticultural Products of Canada."

Mostly I like vermiculite for covering seeds. It retains moisture well and dries out to a different color and texture on top, so I know when to water it. Best of all, similar to perlite, it does not crust over like peat, blocking sprouts from breaking through.
I agree there on the peat factor. Though, this year I am trying to keep my germination area more humid in attempts to avoid the "crusty peat" factor, in order to get better germination. I have essentially created a "sweat chamber".

Quote:
Originally Posted by clkeiper View Post
use a sharpened pencil and tease them a bit at the roots. Having drier medium also makes for easier work. too wet and it tears the roots right off.
Good idea.

Rajun I didnt mean to Hi-Jack your thread. But with what I saw here I decided to go ahead and mass plant in 1801s. Give it another shot.
FourOaks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #41
Rajun Gardener
Tomatovillian™
 
Rajun Gardener's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tomato Cornhole
Posts: 2,550
Default

No problem!! How this for mass planting? That's a 1020 tray with holes and 4 different varieties going. Those plants that are all up filled 4 flats of 6 paks.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 100_1373.JPG (392.5 KB, 49 views)
Rajun Gardener is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #42
FourOaks
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NC
Posts: 511
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rajun Gardener View Post
No problem!! How this for mass planting? That's a 1020 tray with holes and 4 different varieties going. Those plants that are all up filled 4 flats of 6 paks.
Looking good. I dont recall. Do you plan to sale in packs? I know the general consensus is that no one buys packs hardly anymore. Whats your plan?

My personal plan this spring is to offer both, 4 packs and 4 inch pots. Then, what packs dont sale, get an upgrade to a 4 inch pot. Probably put about 4 weeks time in between the plantings, so that there is a distinct difference in size.

I have seen 1020s used this way. Several years ago a Nursery I worked for did exactly that.
FourOaks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #43
Rajun Gardener
Tomatovillian™
 
Rajun Gardener's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tomato Cornhole
Posts: 2,550
Default

I'll sell both, 6 paks to a feed store and singles to everyone else. I'll start more this week, I hope to extend the selling time. I have a thread going about this, this is my first year so I'm experimenting while learning about plant sales.

I used jiffy seed starting mix for these tomatoes and just transplanted another flat. I took some pics of the process so you can see how dry the soil mix is. I don't keep my plants wet, I would say it's more on the dry side to make the roots look for moisture. It's dry enough to crumble with a little rubbing. You do have to water as soon as your done because they start drooping quick after that shock but they recover quick.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 100_1473.JPG (507.4 KB, 47 views)
File Type: jpg 100_1474.JPG (543.7 KB, 48 views)
File Type: jpg 100_1475.JPG (487.8 KB, 47 views)
File Type: jpg 100_1476.JPG (508.7 KB, 47 views)
File Type: jpg 100_1477.JPG (554.3 KB, 48 views)
File Type: jpg 100_1478.JPG (540.0 KB, 48 views)
File Type: jpg 100_1479.JPG (278.9 KB, 48 views)
Rajun Gardener is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #44
FourOaks
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NC
Posts: 511
Default

Thanks for the clarification. The pictures are worth a thousand words.

Funny you would mention the "Jiffy Seed Starting Mix". Yours looks like its perlite heavy. Couple weeks ago I bought a bag in a pinch. Normally I just make my own, but with snow and ice, everything was frozen solid in the Greenhouse.

Anyways.. there wasnt a lick of perlite in it. All peat and vermiculite. The bag I bought was the Yellow Bag, 12 quarts.

So today, when I mixed up a batch for the 1801's I decided to up my perlite ratio. I decided to go with a 50/50 blend of peat and perlite, with lime of course. This is what Cornell UNIV recommends.

Im still thinking that some experimenting with loser soil mixes might be beneficial. Would be nice to find a blend where you could literally pluck the seedling right out, with out disturbing the other seedlings.

Anything that makes transplanting more efficient is a plus in my book.
FourOaks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old January 30, 2018   #45
Rajun Gardener
Tomatovillian™
 
Rajun Gardener's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Tomato Cornhole
Posts: 2,550
Default

The soil you see with perlite is Lucky Dog K-9 and I mixed it with Baccto. The plants grew in just the Jiffy seed starting mix. This was the first time using K-9 and it's very light but it has big pieces of perlite and I have to sift it out. I will not use Baccto again, it's full of junk and I had to pick out sticks and large chunks of peat moss. I'll use MG moisture control mixed with the K-9.

https://foxfarmfertilizer.com/item/l...-k-9-kube.html
https://www.midlandhardware.com/1254...SABEgJW8fD_BwE
Rajun Gardener is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:38 AM.


★ Tomatoville® is a registered trademark of Commerce Holdings, LLC ★ All Content ©2022 Commerce Holdings, LLC ★