Gadget or good?

frankva · #1 03/09/11, 07:04 AM

http://www.jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=53202

I have looked at this type of tray for a number of years, but have never found one locally. Anyone have an opinion?

I would like to try 1, as they look like a nice way to pull up a strip of impatiens.

If they are really slick I could bite the bullet, but if they are eh, I'll pass.

My 0.35 market pack method works, but these look handy.

Callieslamb · #2 03/09/11, 11:55 AM

I used to use them for starting everything. They were very handy. Then I found that starting several seeds in a 4 inch pot and then transplanting worked just as well for me. I found that it's easy to let the transplants grow too big in the insert. Their roots were entangling below the surface and made it difficult to get them into their own pots without damage. It might have just been me though.

Ray · #3 03/09/11, 01:01 PM

I agree, I believe the transplant time is very quick, and probably fine for a commercial outfit with employees to do the exchange to bigger pots. However at home the starts can easily outgrow the starters, and if you don't transplant them at the optimum time they are hard to get out and can easily get damaged and loss can occur depending on the soil type you use to start and if the roots grow through the water drip holes and become one with the starter cup. If however you are on the spot and transplant on time they can be fine for lots of plants.
I make my own pots from newspaper and make them big enough for the first 6 weeks, then transplant at that time if necessary. I remove the plants from the newspaper cup and throw the paper away. just use half a sheet, fold in half again roll around a glass like your making a large cigarette, pull the paper off slide over the open end and fold about half into the open end of the glass, then remove and set the glass into the paper with the bottom now going into it and smash the paper you folded into it, and voala you have a planter cup. look on youtube for vid, newspaper plant starter, best wishes, ray

frankva · #4 03/09/11, 01:46 PM

I was in hopes that they would be slick. Sound so so.

I visualized pulling up a strip, rather than spooning out a group like I do with a market pack. Thought it might save some time.

Sounds like you need to remove the starts before they get enough root to make a strip, due to roots thru the drainage holes. Am I reading this correctly?

frankva · #5 03/12/11, 06:46 AM

http://www.territorialseed.com/product/381/165

Anyone tried this item? I tried something like the "Seedmaster II" years ago, and it might be great for someone else.

I normally fold the envelope, but seem to be gadget minded this year.

Thanks for pros and cons.

po boy · #6 03/12/11, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankva

http://www.territorialseed.com/product/381/165

Anyone tried this item? I tried something like the "Seedmaster II" years ago, and it might be great for someone else.

I normally fold the envelope, but seem to be gadget minded this year.

Thanks for pros and cons.

Had one for years, I never got the hang of it. I find it easier to just pour some seeds (tomato and pepper) in my hand and pick up one at a time..