Stunted Seedlings

[CarolynRenee]

This is the second year in a row I've had this happen.

I started green peppers and eggplant in jiffy peat pellets this year and last year, both times got them out in the garden several weeks past the last frost date.

Once I got them into the raised beds, they never grew more than an inch taller. Other plants in the same beds did fine (bought from nursery).

Will keeping seedlings in the peat pellets stunt growth if they are kept in there too long before planting outdoors?

[Paquebot]

I also started some peppers in Jiffy peat pellets this year rather than normal Jiffy Mix Plus. However, they didn't remain in just the pellets. As soon as they showed the first true leaves, the plants went into a mix of Jiffy Mix Plus and garden soil in 3" plastic pots. Never ever had plants so big to set out. My different results may be because they quickly grew out of the pellets. If they were cheaper, I'd probably switch over to them for all peppers in the future. I only used them because I got the whole kit free.

Martin

[Ray]

I've noticed with some seed starting media they dont suck or wick water up enough for the little plant and you have to be sure to keep enough water all around the little seedling until the roots grow out far past the pellet and can get the water around the starter, otherwise some can die or stunt from lack of water in the pellet itself even with water around the start. wow I don't eve know if i understand what i wrote but thats as close as i can get to my experience with the pellets. Like sea mailman said transplant them early to keep them going great.

[frankva]

I understood it because I have used them, but not sure if someone else would.

The volume of growing media is small in a peat pellet, and they dry deceptively fast.

Not a very forgiving pot. Fun to watch swell up tho.

[Paquebot]

I'd say that the reason for my success was that I didn't leave the plants to rely soley on the peat pellets for very long. The pellets were strictly for starting the seeds and convenience in potting up. Instead of having to remove the plant from a starting tray and disrupting any roots, just picked up the pellet and transferred it to a pot with minimum fuss.

Martin

[Farmerwilly2]

Did you have cold nights after you set them out? I'm holding a couple trays of maters and peppers in the greenhouse I haven't set in the garden as they got chilled early on and just quit growing. I'm torn between dumping them and cleaning the trays or waiting to see what they do.

[olivehill]

I use peat pellets and haven't had any trouble, but like Martin I repot them long before it's time to set them outside. I honestly can't believe your's lived long enough to be set out in the just the peat pellets.

[SquashNut]

when I start my seeds, I use a mix of pearlite, peat and add a little lime.
When I forget the lime , my seedlings don't do well.
So I wonder if the ph in peat pellets is wrong for them. Maybe too acid.

[MO_cows]

I'm having a similar problem. Was given some pepper plants a friend started from seed in a peat pellet. The ones planted in the square foot garden bed are just sitting there not growing. Two "leftovers" that got planted in tubs of old manure are growing.

[CarolynRenee]

Yeah, I think it would be best to transfer them from the pellets to some "real" growing media after they have sprouted. They were in those pellets for well over a month, probably two. Live & learn, right?

[mommagoose_99]

I have used Jiffy 7's for 20 years. I put them in solid 1020 trays each tray holds 72 jiffy's. The solid propagation trays are very easy to keep watered. I have 500 peppers 400 tomato plants and 300 egg plant that I started in them this year. I also use them to start broccoli , cabbage, brussel sprouts and swiss chard. They take up less space and are very easy to transplant using a bulb setter. Water the flats every other day. Peppers like warm temperatures but cool roots. I plant then about a foot apart so they shade each others roots. They like compost but do not give them too much nitrogen or all you will get is leaves. I water with 1/2 strength fertilizer once when transplanting and again when fruit is setting. good luck.
Linda