| Author | Content |
dave
Jacksonville, TX
(Zone 8a)
 February 21, 2005
9:50 AM Post #1300274
| There are a total of 325 votes:
| I use plastic cells for my seed starting
(133 votes, 40%) |  |
| I prefer paper pots for some or all of my seedlings
(15 votes, 4%) | |
| I use the peat pots or pellets
(85 votes, 26%) | |
| I don't start seeds indoors
(40 votes, 12%) | |
| Other?
(52 votes, 16%) | |
|
Previous Polls |
sadie_mae
Central, KY
(Zone 6b)
February 21, 2005
10:04 AM Post #1300288
| I chose other because I use plastic cells and containers for winter sowing and containers and peat pellets for indoor sowing.
This message was edited Feb 21, 2005 10:05 AM |
mkjones
Trophy Club, TX
(Zone 8a)
February 21, 2005
10:22 AM Post #1300326
| I JUST started the peat pellet/plastic Jiffy greenhouse method for sowing some seeds this year. It's my 1st attempt indoors (usually, I just throw seeds into the dirt, and obviously, nothing ever happens!). Hollyhock, morning glory, King Palm, ylang-ylang & salvia. We'll see!
Don't have any high expectations! ;-)
mkj |
2pugdogs
(Linda) Winfield, KS
(Zone 6a)
February 21, 2005
11:34 AM Post #1300445
| I picked the first one using plastic. Because I used the plastic seedling trays with a plastic clear cover or I just used plastic clear cups.
Linda |
cfrei
Chino Valley, AZ
February 21, 2005
11:36 AM Post #1300447
| been gardening for 40 years and I; am just starting to have SOME sucess with starting seedlings. Best for me seems to be dome or plastic lid for humidity, bottom heat, and for some direct sunlight. I need more ideas for better % of germination. thanks, c. |
se_eds
Millersburg, PA
(Zone 6b)
February 21, 2005
11:49 AM Post #1300471
| I start daylily seeds in old bread pans with perforated bottoms, more depth to grow roots that way. Also use plastic six packs for other seeds, as well as margarine cups, 1/2 gallon plastic milk bottles, etc. etc. Also use the clear plastic salad boxes from the salad bars (if I need extra humidity.) LOL
Generally get good germination and can throw the old plastics in the recycleables. |
Emaewest
Timberlea, NS
(Zone 6a)
February 21, 2005
12:32 PM Post #1300604
| I make pots out of newspapers, so I voted for paper, but I use a combination of things. I use whatever is kicking around the house because I'm too cheap to buy anything! : ) --Rhonda |
sugarweed
Jacksonville, FL
(Zone 9a)
February 21, 2005
12:41 PM Post #1300617
| All of the above, and then add tin cans, egg cartons and even egg shells, I've used them all. I checked other. |
kooger
Oostburg, WI
(Zone 5b)
February 21, 2005
1:13 PM Post #1300678
| Another 'other' - using whatever I have saved from the years' past; plastic cells, pop bottles, pots, etc. Also using paper towel rolls cut up this year. First try at that - read it here on DG...they're free, so I'm trying them. :) |
WillowWasp
Jones Creek, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 21, 2005
1:56 PM Post #1300762
| I had to put other because I use all of the above. Just what I have handy and what size seed I am planting. Large seeds don't do well in the little compressed peat pellets and some don't do well in the paper. So lots of times I have to start with a 4 inch pot. Even the Morning Glorys will fill the peat pellets up with roots in just a few days so I really don't know how long I am going to use them. Seems the best results come from the plastic cells and 4 inch pots.
8o)
Dee |
doss
Stanford, CA
(Zone 9b)
February 21, 2005
3:30 PM Post #1300923
| I use small 3" plastic pots that go in a flat. The flat has a liquid absorbing pad in it that holds water and feeds water through the bottom of the pot. Then I use seed planting soil in them. |
Karrie20x
Spokane, WA
(Zone 6a)
February 21, 2005
3:46 PM Post #1300950
| I tried the peat pots that you can transplant directly into the ground once, and they didn't work. I ended up with puny plants because they didn't deteriorate like they were supposed to. Did I do something wrong?
Since then I have used plastic pots, cells, etc...
I am going to try paper lunch bags (cut) that have been treated inside with canola oil for my hard to transplant plants this year (like morning glories) - I got that idea out of a garden tip book. |
Kelli
Los Angeles (Canoga , CA
(Zone 10a)
February 21, 2005
3:57 PM Post #1300973
| I, too, have tried peat pots and had the same problem as Karrie. I suppose they don't rot away very well because of the dry climate in summer. I even tried slitting them to let the plants' roots get out, but that didn't help, either.
I use plastic containers and usually keep them covered until the seeds germinate so that they don't dry out as quickly. I use the same containers year after year. I just wash them out in hot water with a lot of bleach between uses. |
okus
New York(UK!)Lincoln
(United Kingdom)
(Zone 8b)
February 21, 2005
5:13 PM Post #1301099
| I voted other - I use expanded polysterene drinking cups for mine!
|
Todd_Boland
St. John's, NL
(Zone 5b)
 February 21, 2005
5:31 PM Post #1301122
| I grow mostly alpines from seed so I use deep, 2.5" plastic pots. It allows for better development of a taproot, a common rooting style of alpine plants. |
QueenB
Shepherd, TX
(Zone 8b)
February 21, 2005
9:27 PM Post #1301475
| I use the plastic pots because they're recyclable, and because those Jiffy peat pellets are garbage. Every time I've used the peat pellets, the seeds end up damping off from fungus. They also don't break down, but leave the plastic netting in the soil. |
CaptMicha
Brookeville, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 21, 2005
11:45 PM Post #1301709
| I either use nursery pots, I bought a bunch really cheap off ebay, or plastic drinking cups. I burn a hole in the bottom for drainage. Same for propagating unless I'm using a non-dirt medium.
I don't like the peat pots b/c they don't allow the roots to grow out very well and end up strangling the roots, also they tend to dry out very fast.
I don't like the pellets b/c they're too 'heavy' on the roots and are prone to get moldy.
I sometimes try cells but something always goes wrong. And I ALWAYS get dampening off no matter how carefully I sterilize.
I haven't tried paper pots and don't really have a reason to b/c it's just easier for me and on the plants to slide them out of their plastic pots/cups. |
scooterbug
TwinLakes,WI Athens, TN
(Zone 7a)
February 22, 2005
12:19 AM Post #1301761
| I use Rock Wool or I sterilize some potting soil and sow them in a large community container until ready for 4 inch pots. |
dstartz
Deep South Texas, TX
(Zone 9a)
February 22, 2005
4:58 AM Post #1301905
| I use paper towels & a plastic wrap, the bottom half of gallon jugs, 4" black plastic pots or styrofoam speedling flats [HYPERLINK@www.groworganic.com] . It all depends on the seed and where it's going after it's sprouted. |
ncgardenaddict
Kannapolis, NC
(Zone 7b)
February 22, 2005
9:26 AM Post #1302085
| I have used all but love the peat pots (big ones) and this year I bought 5" deep plastic cells!! I don't have time to move seedlings and like to leave them where I start them and it works out fine for me! Last year I thought I had big enough plastic cells but ended up having to move a bunch of things anyway. Grr.
Nicole
:) |
BingsBell
SC, MT
(Zone 5a)
February 22, 2005
9:39 AM Post #1302110
| I have used almost everything mentioned but either use full deep flats or in the garden.
Sometimes I use the big plastic pots for things that don't like being transplanted. |
Sequee
Carmel, NY
(Zone 6b)
February 22, 2005
10:35 AM Post #1302182
| I voted "other". I use everything I can get my hands on! |
hanna1
Castro Valley, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 22, 2005
11:38 AM Post #1302279
| Other, because I use whatever I can find! I buy peat pots, but recycle nursery pots, egg cartons, plastic, you name it!! |
bagpypr
Redlands, CA
(Zone 10a)
February 22, 2005
11:46 AM Post #1302297
| I always use a combination of two parts peat, one part perlite, and one part vermiculite to start seeds. I also use GA3 on alot of seeds as it seems to help immensely. Plastic cells are used to hold the medium after I place a cut-up coffee filter in it. This allows for drainage and easy removal of the seedling afterwards with little or no damage to the root system-Bagpypr |
CricketsGarden
Nauvoo, AL
(Zone 7b)
February 22, 2005
12:23 PM Post #1302361
| I use plastic cells and pots------they are reusable. And peat pots are a nuesious. Roots cant spread out evenly when you put them in the ground and it stunts their growth. You could pull the peat off the root ball---but it should be soking wet when you do so the roots release from the peat easily. Why bother. Just use plastic---easy---quick---healthy.
Deffinately Not a peat fan. |
Gerris2
Wilmington, DE
(Zone 7a)
February 22, 2005
12:30 PM Post #1302377
| I started out years ago using peat pots, then found the starting medium dried out so fast using them. I evolved to using plastic yogurt cups. They work great, and are the right size to fit into a sandwich size ziploc baggie and also they fit on my window sill perfectly.
Joseph
|
leisurlee
East Barre, VT
(Zone 4a)
February 22, 2005
4:44 PM Post #1302937
| I also chose other, because I use a variety of tools for indoor seed starting. I just got the Garderner's supply APS starting kit. It's foam, with capillary mats/self watering set up. It just looked so easy to use and so clean. I'll let you all know how it goes.
I've got my first seedlings poking through - Arugula from last year's seeds. Can't wait to pot them up! |
HERBIE43
wappingers falls, NY
(Zone 5b)
February 22, 2005
5:59 PM Post #1303075
| i use the plastic containers and i put them on a heating blanket to germinate. |
Gerris2
Wilmington, DE
(Zone 7a)
February 22, 2005
9:53 PM Post #1303535
| Great idea about the heating blanket, Herbie! |
CaptMicha
Brookeville, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 22, 2005
11:01 PM Post #1303642
| What temp do you keep yours at? I haven't gotten one yet, keep forgetting but I'm sure it'll help my germination immensely. |
Rusty56
Jasper Co., MO
(Zone 6a)
February 23, 2005
9:46 AM Post #1304013
| I use paper pots very easy to sow the seedings and plastic cell pots too but peat pellets is not very good at all. Avoid peat pellets! Make own seed start soil for paper pots. I use for paper pots with plastic tray with heating mat.
Heating Mat temp:
CROP APPROX. DAYS TO GERMENATION (May vary due to variety of fruit/veg)
Basil 5-7
Broccoli 7
Cabbage 4
Cucumber 4
Eggplant 6-7
Endive 4
Lettuce 3
Muskmelon 4
Parsley 13
Peppers 7-10
Spinach 5-6
Squash 7-10
Tomato 6
Watermelon 5
All this seedling Heat Mat Thermostat limit is between 70F - 85F
Have a nice day!
SnowElk |
agedog1
Vero Beach, FL
(Zone 9b)
February 24, 2005
10:49 AM Post #1306007
| I usually plant directly into ground that I have prepared before time. I have an 80% growth rate from the seeds. I am sure it has to do with the way I prepare the ground |
Shirley1md
Ellicott City, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 24, 2005
5:19 PM Post #1306717
| I chose "other", since I "winter sow" my seeds in heavy duty plastic containers that are recycled from Chinese carry-out. So far, I winter sowed about 50 containers, minus a few that my dog got a hold of and ran around the yard with. I might have flowers coming up in the strangest places this year! |
JaxFlaGardener
Jacksonville, FL
(Zone 8b)
February 25, 2005
12:10 AM Post #1307474
| I selected "plastic" but "other" would have been a better choice. I'm experimenting this year with recycling the thin styrofoam bowls from Taco Bell that are containers for their taco salad. The bowls come with a clear plastic cover. Very much like the "mini-greenhouses" sold by a lot of garden supply sources, but they come free with the salad! I punched a few holes in the bottom of the styrofoam bowls for drainage, filled them with my own mixture of peat/perlite/vermiculite, added seeds and water, covered, and am letting them grow as they will. I used masking tape and indelible ink to label which seeds are in which bowls. One mistake I made -- I placed the labels on the clear, plastic lids instead of the bowls. When I took all the lids off a few days after planting to add water, I got all the lids mixed up and now have no idea what seed is where! I will have to wait to see what germinates and grows to maturity to know what is what!
This message was edited Feb 25, 2005 12:17 AM |
jessamine
Fort Wayne, IN
(Zone 5a)
February 25, 2005
1:16 AM Post #1307534
| I use all of the above so I said other. I use the container appropriate for the seed. Jessamine |
MDREAMS01
Summerville, SC
(Zone 8a)
February 25, 2005
7:52 PM Post #1308786
| I use all of the above so I said other, Trying some different ways this year so added some more container s. |
CaptMicha
Brookeville, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 26, 2005
2:44 AM Post #1309245
| I used to do that with the McDonald's salad containers! They're great. I usually use them with tiny seeds. |
hattiedelaware
Lewes, DE
(Zone 7a)
February 26, 2005
9:40 AM Post #1309448
| I am beginning to use soil blocks. Johnny's sells the block makers and you can read about it in Eliot Coleman's book, The New Organic Grower. I can't offer advise yet on how well it works. I'll let you know. |
Sunrize
North Vancouver, BC
(Zone 8b)
February 26, 2005
1:28 PM Post #1309750
| I voted plastic, too because most seed I start in it, but I use peat pellets for the huge seeds. My routine is to wash and bleach the containers, fill with starter mix. Both containers and pellets are then wetted down with boiling water. When cooled down, I seed. I use heating mats and domed trays, lit with fluorescents or grow lights from 4-6" above. I also water with a fungicide dispensed from a dishwashing detergent bottle. This has been my handiest tool as I can easily control the pressure on the seeds and seedlings. I use the fungicide to prevent damping off initially, upon germination, and any time I think I need to. I agree the peat pots and pellets do not break down and the roots are restricted. So cut off pot bottoms or I actually have been know to use nail scissors and cut the netting of the pellets. Am I successful, probably about 75% for germination, my problem is growing on. Buying from the nursery is more practical but for the rare, or the easy what could be more rewarding. Great germination to you all. |
Janiejoy
Silver Lake, OH
(Zone 5b)
February 26, 2005
9:52 PM Post #1310353
| I've never tried it indoors. I do sow some seeds but they rarely grow much for me except poppy seeds. And I forgot to sprinkle them over the snow this year on Christmas Day so now I don't know if it will be OK or not. Anyone know what I should do?
|
duke3522
Marion, IN
February 27, 2005
5:53 PM Post #1311659
| I am starting with a soil blocker this year myself. Will report back. |
bluespiral
Ellicott City, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 27, 2005
9:00 PM Post #1311973
| Like Sequee, I'll germinate seeds in anything.
Jaxflagardener, I used those Wendy's salad bowls with the plastic dome last year, and germination was incredible. Punched holes into the bottoms, layered in potting soil watered with close to boiling water and sprinkled perlite on the surface. Yes, the boiling water did rearrange the shape of the bowls, and an ugly sight they were! But - wonderful germination.
No damping off, because I sow around April 1 to fool the damping off fungus. LOL Seriously, sowing on April 1 allows me to put the seedlings out on my porch as soon as they germinate, where fresh air and light inhibit fungal conniptions.
Wonderful thread - thanks for all the ideas. |
Shirley1md
Ellicott City, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 27, 2005
10:42 PM Post #1312135
| I totally agree bluespiral, empty & clean salad bowls w/tops from your local fast food chains are fantastic for germinating seeds in. Absolutely NO damping-off, if you winter sow your seeds outdoors! Plus, you won't have to "harden them off" either! They will be ready to just plant in your garden or to give to friends! |
razzie
Prospect Park, PA
(Zone 7a)
February 28, 2005
7:22 AM Post #1312413
| Shirley, you put them out on your porch, and then what do you do if you're going to get frost? Bring them all in? Cover them? I have some old windows in my basement. I was thinking of taking them outside against a sunny wall and propping the windows up against the wall. Good or bad idea? |
Shirley1md
Ellicott City, MD
(Zone 7a)
February 28, 2005
1:25 PM Post #1312923
| Razzie, "winter sowing" is letting "mother nature" take care of germinating your seeds the "natural way"!
Freezing cold weather, snow, ice, rain, & sunshine all help to break open the seedcoat and let the germination process begin. NO need to bring them indoors, plus with about 50+ containers, I don't have the room indoors! That's the beauty of "winter sowing" It's all done outdoors!
Definitely cover your individual flats, pots, creative growing containers with PLASTIC, that have vents to let moisture in (eliminates you constantly having to water them-unless you live in an arid climate...which you don't!). You are also covering your containers so that l'il critters don't start eating your seeds/seedling for dinner! You are basically creating a mini-greenhouse for your seeds. I don't think that glass windows would allow precipitation to keep your containers moist. You would need to water them by hand. Also, a partly-sunny (morning sun) location is the best! The first year I wintersowed my seeds, I had them in a location that baked them! An Eastern or Northern location is the best. If you put them in a South or West location, please protect them under an evergreen tree or some time of structure that allows the seeds to receive moisture, so that they don't get cooked alive!
Here is a link that describes everything you ever wanted to know about winter sowing. It is so much fun, economical, and a great way to grow a large variety of seeds, that would otherwise might prove difficult. Everyone can wintersow!!! [HYPERLINK@www.wintersown.org]
Good luck and I look forward to seeing all your seedlings grow into beautiful plants!!! |
razzie
Prospect Park, PA
(Zone 7a)
February 28, 2005
3:00 PM Post #1313079
| This is awesome! I am so ignorant of gardening, I've only started a few things from seed, but I will try this. Thanks for the link! |
Shirley1md
Ellicott City, MD
(Zone 7a)
March 1, 2005
12:58 PM Post #1314722
| You're very welcome! We're ALL here to learn and have fun gardening! Please feel free to ask lots of questions!! That's the best way!! :~) |
