Has anyone done homemade boxes that are smaller?

Sucess will be yours since you are a coco-nut.

My next question would be . . . it won't make much difference if I started some of my seeds in planting mix would it? I mean, as long as I transplant them without disturbing roots? They are still fairly small, so any growth would be into the coco coir.

Sure Syrumani, that will be fine

Recently I wanted to test some 12 year old 4-o'clock seeds I had gotten from my mom before she passed away. I put them in between to wet paper towels enclosed in plastic wrap and put them in a warm place. They began to swell and show signs of a tiny white root emerging. I put those seeds that had a root anywhere from a 1/16" to a 1/2" into 4" square plastic pots filled with moist coir. They were planted about a 1/2" down in the coir. As you can see in the picture they are popping right up out of the coir.

Lots of folk are seeding in straight coir.

If you want to start in a mix that you know works for you that is OK too. Once the plants emerge move them over to the coir. A while back I moved about 100 seedlings in peat pellets to coir in 4" plastics and they never missed a beat. In fact they took off like the coir gave them a boost.

Jerry

Well, I just received my 10 lay flat grow bags today, now I can get my lettuce into them, my spinach, and still have room for maters.
joy

Jerry, that is a heartwarming story about the seeds your mom gave you.

As to the potting mix to coir, this is what happened to me: I bought strawberries that were growing in potting mix in 4 inch pots. I wondered about rinsing off the roots and getting rid of the mix before putting in my "Strawberry Tower."
But then I thought...why? Both are simply growing mediums, though the coir has some better features. They are very happy on their mixed medium. I wanted to be a 'purist' but as you can see sometimes it's better for the plant to leave well enough alone.

Devota......I had that same bright idea of washing the grow mix off the roots of some Alysum and petunias to plant into one of my grow poles. About half way thru the job, I figgered ahhh what the heck, and just crammed the rest of them into the grow sites. The ones I washed off are not doing so well. I was spraying the dirt off their roots.......bad idea I guess. In the past, I have more gently swished plants around in warm water to clear their roots of grow mix and it seemed to work good.

I'm glad that you didn't do all the roots, Jay. I guess swishing would have been better sinse a spray must be a shock.

I would never wash the roots of any plant especially transplants as the shock of transplant is more than enough. I really do not see a reason to do so as this is what they grew in originally? But to each their own! Meaning no harm to anyone..

Tplant where have you been? I missed you. Devota

Waiting for them to finish the landscaping of my lawn so I can start up again. They finished paving yesterday so I should be back in business soon and in time to plant my melons and peppers. Meanwhile I don't have undisturbed space to plant as everything must be leveled and sodded. Then I must cover the part of the sodded area with weed cloth to set my EBs. What a waste!

And how frustrating for you. Still it is good to "hear" your voice. I was afraid you had some medical complication.

Me too Ted, I've missed you! I know you are chomping at the bits to get out there but please be careful with your health!

Thanks! It won't be to long but I wish I could get started now!

Ted you will be like a race horse at the starting gate..LOL
DON"T SLIP

You know it as it is a mess around here!