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Seed Starting
Can you start seeds in Floral Block? The green stuff that they use in
arrangements to keep the stems wet. I am having a hard time finding a medium for seed in my Aero Garden and I am too cheep to buy there stuff. I have tried regular foam (off foam paint brushes), cotton balls, another foam product that didn't hold enough water. I am trying the block but I wondered if anyone else had done this. Thanks MJ |
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Seed Starting
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#3
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Seed Starting
On Nov 3, 9:29*am, songbird wrote:
wrote: Can you start seeds in Floral Block? The green stuff that they use in arrangements to keep the stems wet. * not too likely, it's very dense. *the roots would have a tough time getting through that. * what seeds are you looking to start? I am having a hard time finding a medium for seed in my Aero Garden and I am too cheep to buy there stuff. I have tried regular foam (off foam paint brushes), cotton balls, another foam product that didn't hold enough water. I am trying the block but I wondered if anyone else had done this. Thanks MJ * what is wrong with a mix of peat and vermiculite? * both of these are available in mass quantities. *avoid breathing the dust when mixing. * songbird Should have mentioned that Aero Gardens are hydroponic Here come the pot jokes |
#4
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Seed Starting
wrote in message ... On Nov 3, 9:29 am, songbird wrote: wrote: Can you start seeds in Floral Block? The green stuff that they use in arrangements to keep the stems wet. not too likely, it's very dense. the roots would have a tough time getting through that. what seeds are you looking to start? I am having a hard time finding a medium for seed in my Aero Garden and I am too cheep to buy there stuff. I have tried regular foam (off foam paint brushes), cotton balls, another foam product that didn't hold enough water. I am trying the block but I wondered if anyone else had done this. Thanks MJ what is wrong with a mix of peat and vermiculite? both of these are available in mass quantities. avoid breathing the dust when mixing. songbird Should have mentioned that Aero Gardens are hydroponic Here come the pot jokes ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the past I have had seeds germinate on damp kitchen towel, in a tray covered with cling wrap. Once they have a leaf you can use that to lift and plant them. I did find that spreading them too thick the roots became entangled and made them difficult to separate. Since then I have found it is easier to use seed raising mix and then wash it off once the plants are established. Mike |
#5
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Seed Starting
In article ,
"Bloke Down The Pub" wrote: wrote in message ... On Nov 3, 9:29 am, songbird wrote: wrote: Can you start seeds in Floral Block? The green stuff that they use in arrangements to keep the stems wet. not too likely, it's very dense. the roots would have a tough time getting through that. what seeds are you looking to start? I am having a hard time finding a medium for seed in my Aero Garden and I am too cheep to buy there stuff. I have tried regular foam (off foam paint brushes), cotton balls, another foam product that didn't hold enough water. I am trying the block but I wondered if anyone else had done this. Thanks MJ what is wrong with a mix of peat and vermiculite? both of these are available in mass quantities. avoid breathing the dust when mixing. songbird Should have mentioned that Aero Gardens are hydroponic Here come the pot jokes Creative Propagation by Peter Thompson and Josie Owen http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...stripbooks&fie ld-keywords=Creative+Propagation&x=15&y=21 ANNUALS AND BIENNIALS FROM SEED In practice, containers in which seeds are to be sown are prepared by two-thirds filling them with potting compost, to provide the lower layer. The topping of porous grit or vermiculite is then added to fill the container, apart from a gap below the rim about C.5 cm (I in) deep to allow for watering. Very small seeds, such as lobelias and begonias, are scattered over the surface and allowed to sink into the upper layers of the grit when they are watered; Figure 5.3 Seeds should always be sown in the smallest container that will hold the number of plants needed. A gritty well-drained compost reduces risks of damping off, and makes management easier. 57 medium-sized seeds, which would include pansies and cabbages, are scattered evenly over the surface, and then 'ploughed' in using a pencil or pointed stick to break up the surface and bury the seeds beneath it. Sweet peas, lupins and other larger seeds are sown on a shallow bed of the porous grit immediately above the lower layer of compost, and more grit is added to bury them about 1.5 cm (9/16 in) beneath the surface. When seeds have been sown in this way their management becomes extremely simple. They should be covered until they start to germinate, and nothing does this better than sheets of expanded polystyrene‹ceiling tiles can be used, the pot holders used to deliver pot-plants to florists shops, or sheets of salvaged packing material‹all can easily be cut to exactly the size required, and the material does not provide a cold surface on which water condenses and drips on to the seeds below. When seedlings emerge these sheets should be removed each morning and replaced each evening, until the seedlings grow up and come into contact with the polystyrene. The seeds and young seedlings must never be allowed to become dry, or suffer stress from lack of water. If in any doubt they should always be watered copiously, using a watering can with a fine rose, from above. There is little danger of causing damage from overwatering because the layer in which the seeds are sown drains freely and retains no surplus water. Later, as seedlings develop, the parts which are most vulnerable to the fungal infection which cause them to damp off are also located in the porous, free-draining upper layer and are much less likely to suffer from these problems, even with less than skilful watering. -- - Billy E pluribus unum |
#6
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Seed Starting
In article
, " wrote: On Nov 3, 9:29*am, songbird wrote: wrote: Can you start seeds in Floral Block? The green stuff that they use in arrangements to keep the stems wet. * not too likely, it's very dense. *the roots would have a tough time getting through that. * what seeds are you looking to start? I am having a hard time finding a medium for seed in my Aero Garden and I am too cheep to buy there stuff. I have tried regular foam (off foam paint brushes), cotton balls, another foam product that didn't hold enough water. I am trying the block but I wondered if anyone else had done this. Thanks MJ * what is wrong with a mix of peat and vermiculite? * both of these are available in mass quantities. *avoid breathing the dust when mixing. * songbird Should have mentioned that Aero Gardens are hydroponic Here come the pot jokes I used to do Aero Garden, but I've been decluttering, and getting rid of them was very helpful. I understand your problem. The stuff to hold the seed has to hold together in the little hole and not fall into the water, yet it has to permit growth. BUT I had great luck using Aerogardens just for their lights. Have you considered using just that part of them? They're good grow lights. Priscilla |
#7
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Seed Starting
On Nov 4, 4:19*pm, "Priscilla H. Ballou" wrote:
In article , " wrote: On Nov 3, 9:29 am, songbird wrote: wrote: Can you start seeds in Floral Block? The green stuff that they use in arrangements to keep the stems wet. not too likely, it's very dense. the roots would have a tough time getting through that. what seeds are you looking to start? I am having a hard time finding a medium for seed in my Aero Garden and I am too cheep to buy there stuff. I have tried regular foam (off foam paint brushes), cotton balls, another foam product that didn't hold enough water. I am trying the block but I wondered if anyone else had done this. Thanks MJ what is wrong with a mix of peat and vermiculite? both of these are available in mass quantities. avoid breathing the dust when mixing. songbird Should have mentioned that Aero Gardens are hydroponic Here come the pot jokes I used to do Aero Garden, but I've been decluttering, and getting rid of them was very helpful. I understand your problem. *The stuff to hold the seed has to hold together in the little hole and not fall into the water, yet it has to permit growth. BUT I had great luck using Aerogardens just for their lights. *Have you considered using just that part of them? *They're good grow lights. Priscilla Yes they are working great. I have put an Armarillis (sp) pot on the side and it is doing great. I also have a pot with dirt within range and seeds germinated overnight. Go figure |
#8
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Seed Starting
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#9
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A seed germinates when the environment around is conducive this includes temperature, light levels etc.. When the environment is not favorable for the seed to sprout, it simply waits.
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