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Post by plantsnobin on Jan 22, 2010 9:50:40 GMT -5
Jo, those are what I wouldn't use. They are not deep enough for a good root system. The way that commercial growers are able to keep plants in those tiny cells is the fact that they use 'chemical growth regulators'. They spray them to keep them in a state of kind of suspended animation, if you will. It is just standard operating procedure for commercial horticulture. People would be amazed at how many chemicals are used for their bedding plants. I'll go take a picture of the trays I am talking about.
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Post by plantsnobin on Jan 22, 2010 10:31:46 GMT -5
 Probably can't see much detail, but the larger one is a '32' plug tray, the smaller is a '72'. They all fit into the 1020, or what is known as the 'web' tray. It is the industry standard, although you can find some specialty smaller ones. If you can find them locally, I would really recommend the 32's. They last for several years, they are easy to pop plants out of, and they are large enough that you can hold plants for quite a while if you can't get to transplanting at the optimum time. I use them for cutting propagation of perennials and shrubs. I don't usually plant things like cabbage and broccoli and all that other healthy vegetable type stuff, but I am this year. Yesterday I sowed cabbage, broc,& cauliflower directly into the 32's. Then I will just pop them out and plant into the garden later. I really don't like the jiffy pellets for planting either, just not enough root room. I had a bunch that I gave to Alan, he used them for cole crops, and if I remember right, he didn't like them either. |
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Post by mnjrutherford on Jan 23, 2010 9:16:51 GMT -5
I found Summit's website Karen. They give out samples! However, I confess, the catalog is not in language I readily understand. Well, I've ordered some samples... registered on the website. The samples are free! I asked for 4 things. I just wonder what the heck I've asked for! ;o)
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Post by sandbar on Jan 24, 2010 22:28:44 GMT -5
Jo, you got a link for Summit?
Muchas gracias,
Steve.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Jan 25, 2010 5:12:58 GMT -5
Link to Summit: www.summitplastic.com/Pretty interesting catalog, but the item names are not what I would consider "intuitive". Not to me at least. Interesting site all in all. I hope there is some info with the samples to let me know where I can purchase product! |
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Post by plantsnobin on Jan 25, 2010 9:44:53 GMT -5
I am surprised they give out samples! I know all those things can be confusing. The horticulture industry is a mess when it comes to sizes-A gal. pot is really only a 3 qt pot, but anyway, for our purposes of propagating for our own use, I really would recommend the Root Trainer is what summit calls them. Go to 'Plug Trays'. the 32 is my preferred size. Great for either seeding into, or cutting propagation, with enough root room to not 'check' the growth. By that, I mean that if a plant stays in a small space too long, the plant may never grow properly once it is planted out. Try an experiment with corn. If it's roots are restricted early on, it will never get to the size it would have. Many other plants are the same way. Jo, maybe we can all split a case in September. It's about time for me to buy some more of them anyway, I can get them about an hour from here.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Jan 25, 2010 10:40:10 GMT -5
OooOooO... A CASE!!! I like that idea! I think Summit is strictly manufacture and that is why they have the samples. Once I get the samples, I'll call them and as them directly from whom I can make a purchase. I requested samples from 4 categories and one was a root trainer. I was also thinking about getting one of the "carrier" trays to use for propagating herbs and stuff.
Now, tell me, can/should I start my corn and then plant out in plugs? Or was that JUST for experimentation? I was pondering plugging peas as well... rather than direct sow... But, would plugged peas perform?
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Post by plantsnobin on Jan 25, 2010 11:25:56 GMT -5
I just realized, I should have said that in the photo above, I turned the trays upside down so you could see the whole in the bottom. That might not have been clear, sorry. I think these could be used for corn or peas, they are 4 inches deep. You just push up through the hole to loosen the plant, and pop it out. I don't know if it would be worth doing for corn, not sure you would really gain that much time versus direct seeding. But if you are like me, right now you are just itching to plant something, anything, so why not?
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Post by bunkie on Jan 25, 2010 12:10:09 GMT -5
those are really interesting flats karen. i like the shape of them and the depth. i'm going to have to check the link out. want to see how much a case is, too...
jo, i have started pea seed and corn seed in paper pots before, about 2 plus inches deep and they suffered a bit when transplanted...grew too much in the pots due to un-planting type weather, especially the corn. last year i tried val's method of making a 6-7 inch paper pot and it worked wonderfully. imo, i would think that if you don't start them too early, the 4 inch pot would work...it's inbetween the two sizes i have tested.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Jan 25, 2010 12:56:45 GMT -5
I'm thinking direct sow for the corn. It's back breaking enough as seeds. That many plugs and I may have to go back to working for the feds! With peas though, maybe if I "start" them, I can get a better grow from them. We will be amending the soil MUCH differently this year so that will change the whole scenario for the peas as well.
My paper pots didn't work out well at all. And if these goodies will last for several years, I'm all for them.
What about using them for strawberries?
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Post by plantsnobin on Jan 25, 2010 15:14:48 GMT -5
They would be fine for strawberries, really good for just about anything you would want to start.
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