Starter Pellets

michael420 · 01-31-2011, 10:46 PM

Hi yall.Don't know if this has been covered before,but can anyone comment on those Jiffy starter pelllets,that swell up in water. I am starting indoors pre spring under CFL, and am trying them to save space, less mess,etc. Would like to know what is the maximum time the seedlings should remain in the starter pellet before proper potting can be done? I would think it wouldn't be long as its all spagnum peat,no nutes? They seem to be responding alright to the CFL at present. Any comments would help as I'm really learning a lot and hoping for a goood season. Thanks!

Sugar420 · 01-31-2011, 10:55 PM

my general rule of thumb is that they can live in peat pots untill roots start to poke out.
edit: the thing about them is that they can dry out very quickly leading to disaster, except that they also shouldnt be totally soaked all the time, because also disaster.
you just gotta watch them till you get a feeling for how they work in your particular situation.

farmergiles · 02-01-2011, 01:12 AM

You can keep them alive in jiffy pellets for months but it is best to pot up as soon as the roots show.

It is fairly tricky to keep moisture levels just right in peat pellets.

Rockwool cubes are easier but I don't like handling or disposing of it personally.

Cerebro · 02-01-2011, 04:05 AM

the problem with those jiffy pots is related to the air spaces near the roots
the air spaces are where alot of the exchanges take place, so you want plenty of air spaces
peat is fine at the right moisture level
too much water floods the air spaces, starving the plant
too little water allows the pots to compress, destroying air spaces
if that goes to really dry the peat becomes hydrophobic and will repel water

i've not had perfect results, lost some to dried up ones once
organic matter adds air spaces as it breaks down so a drop of almost anything organic will provide a secondary defense i'd guess

michael420 · 02-01-2011, 06:35 AM

Yes. I'm seeing exactly the thing with the moisture as I had 12, then 7 fell but after adding water the others picked up. I have to watch it closely. Thanks dudes!

01-31-2011, 10:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
michael420 YaHookan Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Starter Pellets Hi yall.Don't know if this has been covered before,but can anyone comment on those Jiffy starter pelllets,that swell up in water. I am starting indoors pre spring under CFL, and am trying them to save space, less mess,etc. Would like to know what is the maximum time the seedlings should remain in the starter pellet before proper potting can be done? I would think it wouldn't be long as its all spagnum peat,no nutes? They seem to be responding alright to the CFL at present. Any comments would help as I'm really learning a lot and hoping for a goood season. Thanks!

02-01-2011, 01:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
farmergiles Yahookan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sick of the hatred and the lies Posts: 7,807 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 3,750 Times in 2,554 Posts	You can keep them alive in jiffy pellets for months but it is best to pot up as soon as the roots show. It is fairly tricky to keep moisture levels just right in peat pellets. Rockwool cubes are easier but I don't like handling or disposing of it personally. __________________ Cultivate a stoic calmness *Fuck the Monkeys* Every Kind of Vice

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01-31-2011, 10:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sugar420 Freedom Bird Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 6,138 Thanks: 41 Thanked 183 Times in 733 Posts	my general rule of thumb is that they can live in peat pots untill roots start to poke out. edit: the thing about them is that they can dry out very quickly leading to disaster, except that they also shouldnt be totally soaked all the time, because also disaster. you just gotta watch them till you get a feeling for how they work in your particular situation.

02-01-2011, 06:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
michael420 YaHookan Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes. I'm seeing exactly the thing with the moisture as I had 12, then 7 fell but after adding water the others picked up. I have to watch it closely. Thanks dudes!

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