View Full Version : Richard's Indoor Propagation
Richard
02-15-2014, 09:54 PM
Here's my indoor setup for propagation this year (quite scaled down from previous years!) This is in the sun room of my house, facing ENE.
In the photo can be found:
A cheapo 2' x 4' folding table with a piece of particle board on top for uniformity and insulation
On the particle board there are two 4' x 1' heating mats
On the heating mats are 4 rectangular 72-hole plug trays with hoods and drip trays
Overhead is a "Sun Blaster 48" - a commodity 4' by 8-bulb T5HO 6500K fixture
The lamp fixture is suspended by a commodity "Sun Stand 2" stand.
The heating pads are controlled by a timer set to come on from 5pm to 9am.
The light fixture is also on a timer from 7am to 4pm.
Next week I'll be filling up the plug trays and the whole growing process begins!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55713&size=1
Nathan1023
02-16-2014, 02:09 PM
How do you like the Sun Stand 2? I had Hydrofarm's version, and one of the plastic connectors broke the first time I tried to use it.
Richard
02-16-2014, 02:52 PM
How do you like the Sun Stand 2? I had Hydrofarm's version, and one of the plastic connectors broke the first time I tried to use it.
It's 100% metal. Assembly is tedious by yourself. Having a small woodworking clamp is useful. It is a little light weight but otherwise perfect for the task. If they included a pair of 1.5" S hooks with the product I would give it 5 stars.
harveyc
02-16-2014, 05:29 PM
Richard, I have one light identical to yours and 3 more nearly identical. Gone sort of crazy. I moved to a 2-story affair, 2 carts I made on wheels so I can get around them and push them out of the way when not in use.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QWEPNTteMVw/Ut3S2cIxLAI/AAAAAAAAK30/VIHAYBf6yGk/w496-h876-no/IMAG0826.jpg
Richard
02-19-2014, 09:17 PM
I've been testing my set-up before actually sowing seeds. So far the lights, heat pads, and timers are working great. The soil temperature is staying in the high 70's 24/7. I think I'm about ready to plant!
Richard
02-21-2014, 09:03 PM
Today I planted my first round of seeds: 22 varieties of chili peppers, sweet peppers, determinate tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and some Rubus probus seeds I obtained from Australia.
:woohoonaner:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54862&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54862)
Richard
02-26-2014, 11:11 AM
As of this morning all the tomatoes have sprouted, plus one bell pepper and one chili pepper.
:woohoonaner:
harveyc
02-26-2014, 11:40 AM
Richard, are you growing any inderminate tomatoes as well?
Richard
02-26-2014, 11:49 AM
Richard, are you growing any inderminate tomatoes as well?
I will start some in the next round of seeds. Presently I'm focused on varieties I could grow in pots. When I start work on my raised beds I'll feel more confident about starting seeds to plant in the ground.
Richard
02-27-2014, 02:10 PM
Sprouting today:
Sweet peppers - Corno Verde & Yellow, Better Bell II, Socrates.
Chili peppers - Purple Serrano, Guajillo, Hungarian Wax, Sahuaro.
Snookie
03-03-2014, 09:44 AM
Groovy...I like dat me:}
Richard
03-03-2014, 12:57 PM
All the vegies have sprouted, now begins the long wait for the Rubus probus seeds to sprout.
:lurk:
Richard
03-11-2014, 08:22 PM
My seedlings are coming right along! I expect to pot them in 4-inch pots in a week or two. I'll save one of each variety for planting in the garden and give the rest away.
:08:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=54881&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54881)
My seedlings are coming right along! I expect to pot them in 4-inch pots in a week or two. I'll save one of each variety for planting in the garden and give the rest away.
:08:Oh to live close enough for a "give out" and to have the space to grow them all--every last donation. Giveaways? I believe in the British "gardening" theory--an heir and a spare which means I'd hold onto at least 2--just in case.
Richard
03-11-2014, 09:39 PM
Leeds UK is at latitude 53.8, I'm at latitude 33.2.
Richard
03-23-2014, 01:26 PM
Here's a picture of my tomato and pepper plants one month after sowing seeds. Looks like I'd better get busy building the planter beds outside.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55781&size=1
cincinnana
03-23-2014, 05:00 PM
Here's a picture of my tomato and pepper plants one month after sowing seeds. Looks like I'd better get busy building the planter beds outside.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55781&size=1
Cool setup....
Richard
04-03-2014, 08:16 PM
For the last week and half, I've had half of my indoor-propagated plants outdoors braving the variable winds in daytime temperatures in the 70's and night time temperatures in the mid 50's. I also brought them in a few times to avoid getting pounded by rainstorms.
Well, the tomato plants were getting to big for their 4" pots so I transplanted them today into 12" plastic pots. The pepper plants are still doing ok, only about 6" high.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55561&size=1
Richard
04-07-2014, 05:34 PM
I transplanted the rest of my peppers today. That's the end of seed propagation for this year!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55575&size=1
I finally begged a 72 cell starter tray and planted my old tomato seeds--some of each type. Today I transplanted tomatoes that sprouted on 3/25 to larger homes. I'm still terribly frustrated with germination in FL both here and Jacksonville. I have never had 25 to 50% ever before. Perhaps that's why a single tomato plant in a Styrofoam coffee cup sells for $2 to $3; yours are bigger than what's available. Unless you want to spring for a gallon or 2 gallon pot. I'm sorry but I just can't bring myself to pay $15 for a weed.
Richard
04-07-2014, 05:57 PM
I finally begged a 72 cell starter tray and planted my old tomato seeds--some of each type. Today I transplanted tomatoes that sprouted on 3/25 to larger homes. I'm still terribly frustrated with germination in FL both here and Jacksonville. I have never had 25 to 50% ever before. Perhaps that's why a single tomato plant in a Styrofoam coffee cup sells for $2 to $3; yours are bigger than what's available. Unless you want to spring for a gallon or 2 gallon pot. I'm sorry but I just can't bring myself to pay $15 for a weed.
Check the pH of your water.
Check the pH of your water.I've tried city, well and rain; could they all have the same issue? (I know they could but that would be odd IMO.) Also, sometimes things sprout but never do more than that. I do recall having issues with one type of bean--Jade. Wonderful flavor and very productive bush but getting it to grow was an exercise in frustration; I replanted 4x! (I found out later it's notorious for that issue.)
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