18 February 2016 Seedling containers Posted on February 18, 2016 by Durgan 18 February 2016 Seedling containers 18 February 2016 Seedling containers Plastic cups from the dollar store were purchased to make seedling containers. Cup size is 266 ml or 9 fluid ounces with a height of 3.75 inches. Holes were burned around the periphery at the bottom for drain holes, using a heated soldering iron.A coffee filter is placed in each cup to prevent soil from working out of the drain holes,and to contain the plant roots when transplanting. The soil being dry, the cups was placed in a large container for bottom watering, also a syringe of water was placed on the top of the soil. All future watering will be from the bottom. This tends to inhibit mold forming and damping off. A cloth is placed over the cups to maintain heat and moisture (humidity) to some degree. The containers were placed on a heating pad, temperature monitored with a dial thermometer.The plants as they grow will be moved to larger pots as determined necessary.
Nice and neat. I like the turkey baster, hadn't thought of that. I use food cans of different sizes and roll a page from the local newspaper around them. Takes a bit of trial and error to get a good product. The larger chick-pea size for squash down to the small tomato paste cans for lettuce and some herbs. I just rip the bottom off and plant the paper sheath direct. It's free, which appeals to my cheapskate soul. I just have to remember to replace the cans in the pantry so my wife doesn't get after me.
Empty Sriracha sauce bottles are good for top-watering small plant pots. They also can be used for adjustable drip watering by deploying them upside down and loosening the screw top just enough to allow air to bleed into the bottles.
