Is there an online or local source where I could buy the 4" in bulk without paying an arm and leg? I am going to have a real problem when all my seeds sprout, as I've never had to transplant anything before...(first time seed grower) I have always bought plants ready to go into the ground.
Where do you buy 4" pots for transplanting?
One place to look is a well equipped hydroponics supply store. I paid $0.09 a piece for 50 just last week in Austin. It's the same place where I purchased my coir bales.
Check Google for "hydroponics Dallas tx" and see what comes up and then just go from there where ever the trail leads you.
Jerry
Thank you Jerry, after I asked the question I found 200 used ones in good shape on Ebay for $7.99 so I bought them. Daughter lives in Dallas so I will do as you suggested and use that for a future source.
Karen,
Would you try a little experiment as long as you are new to this. I did this with great results. Take one or two of your tomato seedlings when they are ready to transplant from the seed starter, and fill a 5 gallon bag or pot or whatever you were going to use as the "home" for the plants only 1/2 way with the coco coir and plant the seedling in it. As the plants grow, add more coir until the plant and coir fills the bag or container. What I found is a stem so thick and strong it was amazing. The roots kept developing along the newly buried stem. Don't have a 5 gallon grow bag? I'll send you one with your coco coir order?
BocaBob
Sure BocaBob, I'd be happy to try that! I was going to plant some tomatoes in Earth Box and some in the ground. I'll try your method for sure.
I did mean to ask you........I root alot of Brugmansia in Orchid moss in cups and then transplant the entire plug into the new potting soil, as moss and roots are heavily intertwined. The moss eventually disinegrates. If I chose to, could I sow seed and root plants in the Coir with your starter kit and then using the same method plant directly in the ground also?
I don't see why not. Definitely give it a try.
Bocabob
Bob,
I see you've pruned that tomato tree down to one stalk. PLEASE TEACH ME HOW TO DO THAT. I've seen countless articles on pruning to one stalk, but I still can't seem to get it right, and I end up with all these branches everywhere.
Your method of adding the coir as the seedling grows up is really interesting. I imagine such a sturdy root system would produce a plant that cranks out some beauties! I might try this in my eBuckets.
Please get with me on some pictures of how you prune, when you can. Thanks!
Linda
Linda ,
Will be my pleasure. Later today when I get home from work.
Bob
i think that is interesting too, but my question is, if you are growing the tomatoes in a self watering container, how do you apply your fertilizer, since the said way is to apply a strip at top etc.....
My favorite source for pots and seed starting supplies is Novosel Enterprises. They're having a sale today on 4" round standard pots--16 cents each.
Novosel at Garden Watchdog:
http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/3385/
THANKS David Paul!! What a great place! I don't really need anymore right this second with the 200 I just got from Ebay but I will most definately be buying from Novosel in the future! I appreciate the link!
darkmoon, not sure how many you use but Morton Products has a much better price, 5 cents each for round ones, 8 cents for 4" square ones. However, unless you are like me and use a lot, you need to buy a case to get them at that price. (I don't think I could afford paying 16cents each but if I only need a handful I would either do so or scrounge some used ones from the recycle sheds around here.)
And yes, David, Novosel is a great company and well worth doing business with. Thanks for mentioning them.
Shoe
Thanks alot Shoe! I marked your page too, wonderful prices I would have not found without you!
I think you'll like Morton, darkmoon. They ship exceptionally fast, even their greenhouse plastic and other large items. Customer Service is exceptional as well. I remember one year when we had a fire here and ALL my greenhouse supplies burnt up. I called Morton and ordered some replacement things (pots, trays, inserts, etc) and told them what happened. Even though it was late in the day the lady I spoke with put a priority on my order and had it sent out that very day, not waiting for it to go thru their whole system and being shipped later. I was so relieved!!
Happy Gardening to All!
Shoe
Now I remember Morton, Horseshoe. Few years ago I was looking for deep 36 tray inserts. Tomato growers recomended them. Only place I could find deep 36s was Ebay and the price was absurd (five bucks an insert or something like that).
Then I found Morton.
Don't recall exactly but think they were charging 55 cents each or so.
But, as you mention, Morton sells by the case (at least then and for that). Considered buying a few cases and selling deep 36s on Ebay but then found Novosel which, while higher, didn't require case lots.
Which reminds me? Does anyone know where I can find the soft plastic square 4" containers. I like working with them as the plant comes out so easily with a slight squeeze plus the trays to hold them?
I was just looking for Morton via Google because I also am needing some 4" pots -- and their cases are of 500 pots, way more than I need, but then googling "form pots" I found something called the Greenhouse Mega Store that looks like the name sounds, lol, but have sheets of small form pots -- might buy from them as I can buy in multiples of 15 pots which is more my speed than 500. Three bucks for 15 pots......... sounds high tho and I have not gone into the shipping costs yet.
Before I moved, Lord, getting RID of all the nursery pots was the issue and it seems strange to think of buying them, but so it goes I guess. ;-)
Going to see if that Novosel sale is still on.......
Edit: Oh well! dang shipping, no way am I going to do that, guess I will just have to be a more creative scrounger! LOL!
That mega store place does have the nice squishy square ones, tho......
This message was edited Jan 14, 2009 9:32 PM
MegaStore is good, too, Kyla. I've used them a few times for others supplies; sometimes you can catch a good deal there.
Tplant, I don't have the squishy 4" pots but lots of my customers bring me their empties (I encourage recycling heavily!) and sometimes they bring me those. I'll start saving them for ya! (Hope you feel better today; Will be watching for your "Doctor report".)
Shoe
Thanks for the review of Mega, Shoe, I am new to ordering this much stuff online......... so. And like you not at all in the habit of being bereft of little nursery pots.
But. I decided after posting last night that, for now, what I think I will do is look out some cheap "disposable" drinks cups. Friend of mine did loads of tomato starts in approx. pint sized plastic cups last year...... poke some holes in the bottom and there it is!
;-)
Kyla
Thanks Shoe! Going back to the MD tomorrow for another treatment but he insists that I must rest and that is exactly what I'm doing. I have Bocabob to thank for helping me set up my watering system prior to all this bronchitis nonsence otherwise I would have lost everything. You DG'ers are the best friends I ever had or will ever have!
Ted