Propagation Containers

I start all my seeds indoors in small propagation containers that are then placed into a domed flat until they germinate. I always seem to run of of containers each spring before I'm done planting, but I can't seem to find more of them anywhere.

They need to be at about 2-3" deep, preferably square or rectangular so they will fit nicely into my 11x22" flats. I've tried finding them on the web, but since I don't have a name for them, I coming up empty. I did find a site with a picture of one: http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenprimer/ss/Cuttings_3.htm Does anyone know where I can order these?

these seem a bit pricey, but maybe some keywords might help in your search ?

http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/catalog/index.cfm?page=_ProductDetails&ProductId=8604

Thanks, Dea, but those are a bit small, as well. I've looked under all sorts of names, but come up dry. Sometimes these containers are used for bedding plants, as well, but they are great for starting seeds, too.

Weezingreens, have you tried using the plastic containers from the grocery store that fruit and berries are often packed in? I use them, and the ones from the salad bar, which have slots in the bottom and domed lids to form their own mini greenhouse until they get too big.

Yes, I have in the past, leisurlee, but now that I am planting hundreds of these fellows, I need some consistant containers that will fit in my flats. Besides, I can't eat that much fruit or I'll spend too much time in the restroom to plant anything!

Here's an idea - might just do it myself :) Not to buy of course, but if you got pieces of styrofoam and used a round metal biscuit cutter, you could make your own holes and of course trim the styro to fit exactly in your flats.

Here's kind of the idea:

http://www.shamanshop.net/store/proddetail.cfm/ItemID/2447.0/CategoryID/10000.0/SubCatID/815.0/file.htm

Vessys has several varieties listed under Plant-Paks
http://www.veseys.com/store.cfm?product=979&CFID=6273217&CFTOKEN=21907220

Marc

Dea, that's a heck of an idea once the seeds have gotten up to size for transplant. I think I would cut them out to fit one of the hundreds of tiny sized round pots I've got! Here's my problem... I'm growing plants to sell, but I'm doing it in my home. I have limited space, so every bit of space under my lights counts. With all my light stands going I can put 96 11x22 flats under lights... I still run out of space.

So, when I start the seeds, I have to broadcast them to these containers, then transplant them to 4 packs or 6 packs. Hopefully, by that time I will soon start hauling them out to the heated greenhouse. The containers I am looking for need to be individual so that I can lift one out of the flat. The containers need to be about 3" deep, but the other dimension can vary. If they are not made of plastic, I cannot sterilize them, so styrofoam or compressed fibers won't do. I want to be able to use them over and over again.

I've searched all over the web, I've contacted the wholesaler where I get my other pots... I just can't find them. I'm sure they are out there somewhere! Here's a view of one of them next to a cell pack.

Weeze, this one looks good to me, but I don't grow that way YET.
http://www.novoselenterprises.com/products/seedling.asp
Note the 15% discount on $25+.

Weeze,
If I'm understanding your pictures and explanation correctly, what you are looking for is a standard 1020 flat insert ending in an "01" configuration. The 01 configuration means each individual "cell", or pot as you call it, breaks away from the tray by itself. That will allow you to remove them one at a time and they are made of plastic, just like any other insert.
These inserts are widely available in this industry and I'm not sure why the wholesaler you called didn't have them, unless of course, they didn't understand what you were asking for without having a picture to look at :-). They come in most common sizes starting as big as a 601 tray (6 cells per 1020 flat), up to 3601 (or 36 individual cells per flat). All you would need to know is how many cells you want per flat and you shouldn't have trouble finding them. Judging by the picture you posted, it looks like it is a 1201 insert you are using (or possibly a 1001). Since it's the same size as the 6-pack you show next to it. An 1801 insert would be the 3" square cells you mentioned.

Hope that helps!
Joe N.

This message was edited Jan 25, 2005 4:11 AM

Thanks, Joe. It certainly seems you know what you are talking about. Yes, I would prefer inserts that would fit 12 to a flat, just as the 6cell or 4cell packs do. If not, I can work with other sizes. I have not been able to find these on the web. Have you any suggestions?

Weeze, Item #801 on this page might be close, 8-packs not 6.
http://www.mellingers.com/results.tpl?command=search&db=catalog.txt&eqakudatarq=37765&cart=11026502414507&slave_to=37765&bob=37765&akusort=1&akusdir=as&slave_totype=num&akutype=num&bobtype=num

Sidney

Well, weez, did that work? I was going to suggest Mellinger's, but sugar beat me to it...

I looked at Mellingers, and they have some square containers that might work, but I have a lead on some that are exactly the size of my cell packs, so I've ordered from them. If anybody wants a lead on them, just email me.

Weezingreens, do you have a WalMart near you?
I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but I got them at WalMart last year. They are really made to put the cell part in the open one like it is the nursery flat. But I put holes in the non-celled part & put them both in a nursery flat. You can get 6 of them in a regular flat. They came in a set of 2, 2 cell parts and 2 open parts. So 1 1/2 sets fit in a flat.

I'm sorry I can't remember how much they were.
I hope that makes any sense at all.
Here's a picture:

Yes, that would work. Of course, Wally World is 150 miles from here. LOL! Actually, I did find some of the ones the size of the 6 packs, but this would be a viable option... Thanks!

what about these trays.

http://www.naturalgardening.com/cgi-bin/shop/S-Mart.cgi?command=listitems&type=group&pos=0&pg=tools&group=propagation

I bet Weezingreens has found some since posting this 4 years ago.

Yes, I managed to find some. I can't recall where it was now, unfortunately. The trays I bought are the exact measurement of cell packs, so I can fit 12 in a standard flat. They have holes in the bottom for drainage.