Seedlings

I didn't know what forum to put this in so I also put it in Beginner Gardening Questions and Beginner Vegetables.

I have been starting herbs, veggies, i.e. peppers and tomatoes, and flowers from seed for the last couple of years with pretty good (but not good enough) success. I use Jiffy trays, with peat pellets with a dome cover and this year trying black plastic packs with 9 or 12 cells with a waterproof tray and a dome cover. Never knowing how many seeds will germinate, I usually put 3 or 4 in a cell/pellet. I can’t throw a plant out and the same holds true for seedlings … LOL. I split and transplant after they get 2 or 3 true set of leaves. It seems like I then transplant them 2 or 3 times (my thinking is that they can’t be in a pot that is too big) or put in 4 packs before I harden them off and they can go in the garden (or to a new home), Zone 4. This is getting to seem like more work than it should be.

I have noticed people mentioning that they “pot up their seedlings in solo cups”. I’m not familiar with this practice. Why solo cups and not plastic pots? What about drainage? When do you do this? Would Styrofoam cups work? When can I switch from seed starting formula to potting soil?

I would welcome any suggestions and advice. I need all the help I can get … LOL … too true!

This message was edited Mar 29, 2010 12:45 PM

Solo cups are cheap and a lot of people have them around anyway, that's probably why they use them. They're also a little bit smaller than the typical plastic pots that you can get at garden centers, and you don't want to pot it up into a pot that's way too big for it, so the solo cups make a nice intermediate step. You poke holes in the bottom of them for drainage. I'm sure you can use styrofoam cups too if you have those around instead, just poke holes in the bottom for drainage.

As far as seed starting mix vs potting mix, usually when I pot them up for the first time I'll switch to regular potting mix.

ecrane3,

Thanks for the info! Like I said I need all the help I can get.

Zelda Marie, check out the winter sowing forum. This is my first year to winter sow and it's fabulous - much easier than growing indoors with lights. It's not too late to start!
Cynthia

I use the solo cups for everything. They're super cheap (my favorite reason for doing so) and I take my garden scissors and just nip some little holes around the bottom edge. They come in several sizes so I can tailor the cup to the seedling. I can pick up a pack at the dollar store if I happen to run short. They are also easier to label with a paint pen or sharpie (sharpies fade, so be prepared to relabel before the names fade...voice of experience) Use a good quality potting mix, but you can get away from the seed starter when you pot them up. Styrofoam would work and I see no problem with it, they tend to break or crack faster than the solo cups. (You don't have to use solo brand...any plastic drink cup is fine)

Those of us growing african violets and related plants also use the solo cups extensively for rooting leaves and suckers to make new plants, for the reasons Melody outlined. They also make great pots for the mini varieties.

Well, I have a ton of solo cups left over from an ambitious Costco purchase - thanks for inspiring me to plant in them. I really had no use for them anymore but didn't want to put in landfill. I especially like the idea of writing on the containers. Mine are the large size - will require more potting soil - more $.

Just don't fill as full. Half way should be fine for most things.