Peat Pots
- Thread starter yeknomssa
- Start date
Dignan said:
I don't use a brand. Like I said, I used nursery flats (ya know, those 6 packs? but like 72 connected together) and whatever brand coco blocks. I just expand the coco block (using down to earth right now) and put in the flats. Its that simple.
I've used peat pots on my current run and I found them not as a good as plastic pots. I had some plastic potted plants growing next to the peat pot plants and the peat pots seemed to stunt the growth to the point where they were almost 2 weeks behind the plastic potted plants.
Peat pucks are great though.
Peat pucks are great though.
Hey Sammet-
I don't use peat pots regularly, but from photos I've seen of people who do use them successfully I've gleaned that you need them to be tightly pressed against one another in the tray to preserve moisture. Your pots look too dry.
It's hard to tell in the pic, but are the peat pots and those plastic pots the same volume? The plastic ones look bigger, which could explain the increased growth.
I would also venture a guess, with regard to the peat pots, that if the peat itself is dry, it is most likely wicking moisture from the soil right up against it, as well. That would further reduce the effective soil volume for those plants.
Your thoughts?
Dignan
I don't use peat pots regularly, but from photos I've seen of people who do use them successfully I've gleaned that you need them to be tightly pressed against one another in the tray to preserve moisture. Your pots look too dry.
It's hard to tell in the pic, but are the peat pots and those plastic pots the same volume? The plastic ones look bigger, which could explain the increased growth.
I would also venture a guess, with regard to the peat pots, that if the peat itself is dry, it is most likely wicking moisture from the soil right up against it, as well. That would further reduce the effective soil volume for those plants.
Your thoughts?
Dignan
That's a good point and something I hadn't considered Dignan and I was overly concerned about root rot and excessive watering (due to the lack of drainage holes unlike the plastic pots).
The diameters were essentially the same, but I had different strains in the plastic ones compared to the peat pots so that could be a potential source of the size difference.
However I definitely felt the plants in the plastic pots grew more vigorously, and if anything I was trying to be biased towards the peat pots because I think they are a good idea. Maybe when I take my next batch of clones I'll do a side by side comparison.
The diameters were essentially the same, but I had different strains in the plastic ones compared to the peat pots so that could be a potential source of the size difference.
However I definitely felt the plants in the plastic pots grew more vigorously, and if anything I was trying to be biased towards the peat pots because I think they are a good idea. Maybe when I take my next batch of clones I'll do a side by side comparison.
Valid concern, the root rot. I've never had a problem, but what a bummer it would be to lose two dozen coveted seedlings to that. 
Here's a visual for you all on the proper way to use peat pots. I live in high desert and it's DRY, so I just haven't had luck with peat pots because it's so hard to keep them moist. Even once they're in the ground.
This year I'm trying peat pots again, along with peat pellets (which I've always had good luck with, just don't like them for some reason), the old trusty 1.5" rockwool cubes and then I'll be trying coco coir in nursery flats.
I'll be starting several dozen seeds, mostly for the veggie garden, but also a few dozen cannabis seeds... so I'll try to document a little side-by-side.
Peace-
Dignan
Here's a visual for you all on the proper way to use peat pots. I live in high desert and it's DRY, so I just haven't had luck with peat pots because it's so hard to keep them moist. Even once they're in the ground.
This year I'm trying peat pots again, along with peat pellets (which I've always had good luck with, just don't like them for some reason), the old trusty 1.5" rockwool cubes and then I'll be trying coco coir in nursery flats.
I'll be starting several dozen seeds, mostly for the veggie garden, but also a few dozen cannabis seeds... so I'll try to document a little side-by-side.
Peace-
Dignan
I don't think above completely accurate.(pictures, write up....)
When liquid in bottom of trays is wicked, it's being wicked by the pot...
As above from my own pics, when only in tray, they will dry from the tops down...
The bottom of trays are for the pots to wick, the tops of pots are for the soil...
Spacing:
Sounds good in theory, but, in practice, if working with many, spacing so tight will be a problem if/when you take them out (pots breaking up in your hands, etc...They should be spaced tight enough for efficiency but loose enough so they can be taken from trays and replaced without the pot disintegrating in your hand. )
One might want to take them out of trays to move them into others, and vs. versa, endless reasons....(I might be 10 different things in 3-10 different trays....when removing them, might alter spacing and remove trays from room, etc....)
The very nature of them, as above, clearly in pics, prevents root rot. The pics above I posted roots were completely submerged, and, as one can see, they look quite healthy. It's more your temps and soil/mix than the water regarding rot.Aeration misunderstood, and, rules change depending on product. These were in 1" water since they cracked.
I've never seen a 1/4 inch of rot in thousands..
Note: Also, in practice, when they are spaced so tight and not taken out, all your roots will of course grow not only together, but also right into surrounding pots....
When liquid in bottom of trays is wicked, it's being wicked by the pot...
As above from my own pics, when only in tray, they will dry from the tops down...
The bottom of trays are for the pots to wick, the tops of pots are for the soil...
Spacing:
Sounds good in theory, but, in practice, if working with many, spacing so tight will be a problem if/when you take them out (pots breaking up in your hands, etc...They should be spaced tight enough for efficiency but loose enough so they can be taken from trays and replaced without the pot disintegrating in your hand. )
One might want to take them out of trays to move them into others, and vs. versa, endless reasons....(I might be 10 different things in 3-10 different trays....when removing them, might alter spacing and remove trays from room, etc....)
The very nature of them, as above, clearly in pics, prevents root rot. The pics above I posted roots were completely submerged, and, as one can see, they look quite healthy. It's more your temps and soil/mix than the water regarding rot.Aeration misunderstood, and, rules change depending on product. These were in 1" water since they cracked.
I've never seen a 1/4 inch of rot in thousands..
Note: Also, in practice, when they are spaced so tight and not taken out, all your roots will of course grow not only together, but also right into surrounding pots....
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I haven't had root rot with them, it was just something I was concerned about seeing as there are no traditional drainage holes.
You seem to know a bit about them Julian - is there a difference between peat pots and jiffy coir pots? Or are they the same thing. Just wondering as the ones I have were branded as jiffy coir pots.
You seem to know a bit about them Julian - is there a difference between peat pots and jiffy coir pots? Or are they the same thing. Just wondering as the ones I have were branded as jiffy coir pots.
Again, valid considerations, Julian. That came from one of my favorite grow books ever... an old timer in the UK wrote it and it's just one crazy old dude's way of growing that he's done for 20 years, outdoors, mixture of both organic and synthetic fertilizers, has developed his own strains, etc. Definitely a quirky little book, but I love it.
It's where my sig line originated, actually. I love this little book.
Dig
It's where my sig line originated, actually. I love this little book.
Dig
Well, I did see that and thought you were referring to multiple holes. (The ones I use have about a 1/2" hole in center of bottom, but, worth noting, is those holes are not always punched clean..(I just poke a tip of pinky when breaking up cases into each to make sure hole clear.....)Sammet said:
I went through almost 10,000 of them last year, and, have been using them for many years.......I love em.....for me a combination of all factors coming together...some things might be better in one way, other's better in another way, etc, but, I think they're a happy medium....Only problem is as discussed, the little nuances, (but, that comes with any medium.....small variances and nuances of the product and their use....)
I actually don't have a clue.......never really look at the specs on them (at least for years). Coir might be preferred for any number of small reasons, but, I'm sure basics apply. They do to all products, same, as above with the pellets...(little in bottom of trays.....sumberging/dipping not necessary because mass is smaller,and, same applies about spacing...as one can see, I space my pellets extremely tight and have to keep an eye on them or they will turn into a tangled mess, growing into each other, roots entangled, etc.....so, I just basically time them by eye and sometimes take one out to take a look..(another example of above......can take them out for any one of 100 reasons...sometimes to just look and check on them....)
The submersion/dipping isn't necessary...you can still get things done by the above (in tray for pots to wick and then water pots top down), but, through trial and error with a fair volume, I like the submerging/dipping best, feel provides thorough and even watering, and then fill bottom of trays after all dipped. (note, I might not have time to go through and dip every one sometimes, so, those times I just make sure bottoms have something and water quick from the top, but, I usually make a point to fully submerge at least once a week...
(My conditions vary a little, and, I water more....so....everything above are about 12" under 1k's (temps under control), so, conditions alter every other factors (light, feeding, growth), but of course the basics of the pots apply, regardless of frequency...
Well, he is right though, I mean, tight spacing does help, but, maybe he just doesn't mention the little nuances.....Dignan said:
I like tighter spacing for efficiency, and, as above...keeps bottoms of trays dark, moist, cool (assuming temps of space under control)....and, as above from pics....roots just busting out......but, absolutely, and, sure you can imagine (same with any medium)....roots can and do entangle when containers close, and, with something like these/peat products, one can grow right into the other....(I've had my share of de-tangling pellets on a couple occasions
(not really a problem, at all, just a PITA when your ready to do something, maybe a time limit and you find another step added .....(ie: add on 20 minutes to gently detangle before transplanting, etc ...)Note: yeah, if they're pushed together like that your going to have roots growing right into side of other containers pretty quick, and, of course, he does speak of wicking for moisture, but, if bottom of trays filled, they don't need to wick from each other, they're wicking from the bottom up.....so, could have 4 in a huge tray and all will be equally moist....
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Note: No, I checked the coir's and newer product, I assume made of coco, they say better penetration, and, look great...I wouldn't hesitate to grab a couple cases next time I order and try em out.....(Maybe they have done all the changes that would make them better........) But, same probably still applies as I hear coco dries fairly fast also....(I have a lot of coco, just haven't used it yet but talk with a lot of people who do.....) They look good though...maybe I'll try some and changeover if better....(I assume same cost...)
Yeah, same company, just coco instead of peat.
I'd really like to try a run(s) of those actually, didn't know, my usual place doesn't have them (just double checked if they added since my last order(s).....they don't....did a search and turning up lot of UK based returns......so, maybe is "new" new....
Yeah, same company, just coco instead of peat.
I'd really like to try a run(s) of those actually, didn't know, my usual place doesn't have them (just double checked if they added since my last order(s).....they don't....did a search and turning up lot of UK based returns......so, maybe is "new" new....
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Thanks for all the info, Julian. I amend my outdoor holes with coir from Worms Way... $3 per brick and each one makes about 10 gallons. I take a brick into my plots, then soak the brick in a pillowcase in the creek while I work. 30 minutes or so and they're expanded. Coco makes a nice mulch, too.
[edit- sorry, thought you were referring to my mentioning coco for starting seeds ^^^ now realize you were referring to coco pots vs. peat, per Sammet's comment. I'll leave my post for the helluva it... hope it doesn't sidetrack your thread.]
[edit- sorry, thought you were referring to my mentioning coco for starting seeds ^^^ now realize you were referring to coco pots vs. peat, per Sammet's comment. I'll leave my post for the helluva it... hope it doesn't sidetrack your thread.]
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Not my thread, just added what I saw fit and replied when addressed.....
See, I enjoy this topic, because it's one of many where a lot of the time, people's opinions are based only on what they have heard....what they were told....and that the truth is often far from what they heard...
Know what I mean?
I've got a huge coco stash, building more lately (bricks)and going to do a run myself using them with my native, (Think going to toss and expand them in bottom of drilled holes and mix from there) and, am very grateful for hearing about the Jiffy coco's......going to pick some up and run them and have a feeling I'll like them much better for several suspected reasons. Maybe talk to my supplier and they can order cause I'd rather not switch from them, very happy overall.
See, I enjoy this topic, because it's one of many where a lot of the time, people's opinions are based only on what they have heard....what they were told....and that the truth is often far from what they heard...
Know what I mean?
I've got a huge coco stash, building more lately (bricks)and going to do a run myself using them with my native, (Think going to toss and expand them in bottom of drilled holes and mix from there) and, am very grateful for hearing about the Jiffy coco's......going to pick some up and run them and have a feeling I'll like them much better for several suspected reasons. Maybe talk to my supplier and they can order cause I'd rather not switch from them, very happy overall.
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Jiffy is just the original brand. Pretty much all coir pots are the same. If you goto alibaba.com (where I find stuff to import) you'll notice a few companies selling coco coir pots. Its my belief that coco will replace peat soon... ahh how nice, sustainable, better ph, more aeration and better water retention.
