TMButler’s Grow Blog

[tmbutler]

All of the plants were rooting through the outsides of their pods, so they’ve all been transferred into 3” pots on Monday. So far they’re doing pretty well however I’m going to state a dissatisfaction with the Miracle Gro garden soil. It was a supplemental opening to the natural & organic soil that I had previously purchased at Lowe’s and run out of! The MiracleGro product is significantly “mulchy”, which I don’t think I like as much. When the ambient was 70+ and sunny, I take them outside to the covered porch but on days like today, they’re back inside and under the lights. I’m trying to figure out an extension to my lighting contraption because I will be starting a second round of seed for a projected late May/ early June planting. That batch will consist of Nicotiana Rustica, Sweet Air Cured XL and Golden Seal Special Burley. I plan to do TWO raised beds and have three types in one, three in another.

 

[Oldfella]

All of the plants were rooting through the outsides of their pods, so they’ve all been transferred into 3” pots on Monday. So far they’re doing pretty well however I’m going to state a dissatisfaction with the Miracle Gro garden soil. It was a supplemental opening to the natural & organic soil that I had previously purchased at Lowe’s and run out of! The MiracleGro product is significantly “mulchy”, which I don’t think I like as much. When the ambient was 70+ and sunny, I take them outside to the covered porch but on days like today, they’re back inside and under the lights. I’m trying to figure out an extension to my lighting contraption because I will be starting a second round of seed for a projected late May/ early June planting. That batch will consist of Nicotiana Rustica, Sweet Air Cured XL and Golden Seal Special Burley. I plan to do TWO raised beds and have three types in one, three in another.

View attachment 35770View attachment 35771View attachment 35772

Looking good, I thought they might be a little bit dry. I like to keep about 1/4" of water in the bottom of the tray, but my climate is quite different from yours. If you have done it before then stay with it, as I said they look good and should grow into a nice crop. The only thing I don't like is to much transplanting, but that's just me, good luck with your grow I'll keep an eye on it.
Cheers Oldfella

 

[tmbutler]

Looking good, I thought they might be a little bit dry. I like to keep about 1/4" of water in the bottom of the tray, but my climate is quite different from yours. If you have done it before then stay with it, as I said they look good and should grow into a nice crop. The only thing I don't like is to much transplanting, but that's just me, good luck with your grow I'll keep an eye on it.
Cheers Oldfella

Observation well taken! The dryness was one of my main concerns especially with the chunkier miraclegro soil. I’m now looking into a drip pan of some sort I can put these pots in and do some bottom watering as you suggested.

 

[deluxestogie]

1020 Trays Heavy Duty

Propagate seeds, transplant seedlings and much more using these versatile 1020 flats. Order gardening trays with or without drainage holes at the best prices.

www.greenhousemegastore.com

The trays without holes can be re-used (after sanitizing) for many years.

Bob

 

[tmbutler]

1020 Trays Heavy Duty

Propagate seeds, transplant seedlings and much more using these versatile 1020 flats. Order gardening trays with or without drainage holes at the best prices.

www.greenhousemegastore.com

The trays without holes can be re-used (after sanitizing) for many years.

Bob

Ironically I was just looking at those!

 

[Rednekf350]

I ordered a 5 pack of the light duty trays through Amazon and had to double them up to ease the flexing when I picked up the full, wetted tray to move it. I had one from last year and I needed 6 trays to to do 3 flats of seedlings. Next year I'll get the heavy dutys.

I started my grow yesterday with flats of TN-86, Little Yellow and Staghorn. All will be used for chew. I learned a lot from this thread already. I had a hell of a time separating plants last year from the flats.

 

[deluxestogie]

I use inserts, rather than discrete pots. I place the insert into a 1020 tray with holes. These then get placed into a 1020 tray without holes. All three of these are nested within a mesh tray. This enables me to move the trays about, even with water in them. The holey on top of unholey maintains a reservoir of moisture, even when the water in the holey tray has been used up--a safety margin.

Bob

 

[Rednekf350]

I use inserts, rather than discrete pots. I place the insert into a 1020 tray with holes. These then get placed into a 1020 tray without holes. All three of these are nested within a mesh tray. This enables me to move the trays about, even with water in them. The holey on top of unholey maintains a reservoir of moisture, even when the water in the holey tray has been used up--a safety margin.

Bob

That looks a lot smarter than what I am doing. I’m broadcasting the seed over an open 1020 with wetted down seed starter mix and covering it with plastic wrap. I transferred seedlings into cells using tweezers a few weeks after germination but it was very difficult and my success rate was low. Still had more than enough to plant but I could certainly have done better with the cells.

 

[smallwanderings]

SunBlaster 1020 Quad Thick Tray [Case of 5]

Minimum quantity of 5These are standard 1020 trays with the exception that they are four times the thickness of traditional trays. Long lasting and reusable.

www.growitdepot.com

Shipping seems a tad high perhaps, $18 for four trays.

 

[tmbutler]

Expanded lighting!!

 

[tmbutler]

Plants are looking vivacious! Today’s a great spring day, so I’m gonna let them spend some time on the back porch. Unsurprisingly, I am noticing a white mold on the outsides of the peat pots ! So, 4” plastic pots with holes in the bottom for are on their way. Should these guys be ready for a more natural lighting timing/environment? My wife and I both need to start another round of seed and need the lighting space. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[deluxestogie]

Once they have accommodated to sunshine (usually takes gradual exposure over days), then you can just leave them out there. Bring them inside if the temp drops below the upper 30s.

Bob

 

[tmbutler]

My wife sent me an update photo while I’m gone for 48 hours. This is a night time photo, but should I be concerned about what appears to be slight yellowing on some leaves?

 

[Knucklehead]

My wife sent me an update photo while I’m gone for 48 hours. This is a night time photo, but should I be concerned about what appears to be slight yellowing on some leaves?View attachment 35887

Are you fertilizing?

 

[deluxestogie]

Judging from the appearance of the exterior of the peat pots, they look pretty dry.

Bob

 

[tmbutler]

Are you fertilizing?

I am not but have contemplated the need to do so. I think I’m lost on where to go or what to do without overkill;

 

[tmbutler]

Th

Judging from the appearance of the exterior of the peat pots, they look pretty dry.

Bob

Thanks for that observation; they may indeed although I’ve been keeping them wet for the last several days. I do still have the issue with the grey/white mold developing on the outside of the pots but as soon as I return from work Saturday morning, they’re all going to 4” plastics.

 

[Knucklehead]

I am not but have contemplated the need to do so. I think I’m lost on where to go or what to do without overkill;

Feed them like tomatoes. Personally, I avoid Urea nitrogen until after transfer to the patch. I use urea free orchid fertilizer 20-10-20. I usually feed 1/2 strength the first feeding. Different folks here use different stuff so it’s hard to find a consensus.

I use the 1020 trays and 48 or 72 cell inserts. I use miracle gro seed starting mix and keep water and fertilizer in the tray until time to harden off the plants. The soil wicks up just the right amount of moisture so I don’t have to do a wet to dry cycle.

 

[Oldfella]

Th

Thanks for that observation; they may indeed although I’ve been keeping them wet for the last several days. I do still have the issue with the grey/white mold developing on the outside of the pots but as soon as I return from work Saturday morning, they’re all going to 4” plastics.

I agree with Bob about the dryness. I didn't notice any mold, but if you can post a picture of it someone may be able to help. I always use jiffy pots and have never had a mold problem. The salts in the fertilizer, (I guess) leach out occasionally, but I think that yours look too dry for that, or mold to occur. I may be wrong of course. Pics please.
Oldfella

 

[tmbutler]

Help! Afraid to make a decision! Lol

I know that I’m reading a bit much into this, but please help me out if you can.
“Repotting” the plants is not going to happen. After opening one peat pot and seeing how massive the root structure is becoming AND growing through it as well, I decided to simply allow them to be and dropped them into the plastic pots which ended being a perfect fit. I can’t exactly say why, but my theory was that it would still contain the outgrowing roots and keep everything within the plastic pots for bottom feeding. I’m aiming for transplant in about 3 weeks or so....
After previous responses, I did go and pick up miracle-gro water soluble orchid food. It is NOT urea free. Also, I’m uncertain which dilution ratio to base it off of WHEN/IF I apply this product via water solution in the tray. The indoor plant direction is 1/4 teaspoon per gallon, while the outdoor plant direction is 1 tablespoon per gallon. I believe the date I began these was March 7; uncertain if that’s relative to something I read about plant hardiness to urea effects....
Any suggestions or guidance, as always, will be very much appreciated.
PS- the miraclegro product was the most available (immediate) as opposed to clearly urea free 20-10-20, which probably wouldn’t get here for a couple weeks.