letting trays dry out.

[Tame The Scovies]

twice now I have accidentally let trays get too dry. I lost an entire 72 cell tray due to letting it go dry. I recently let another go dry but not nearly as bad and for a shorter period of time. I rehydrated it today. I am using a burpee self watering tray with a heat mat. Is there anything I could do to help it a little... I have a few serrano seedlings in it or do I just need to save the serranos and trash the rest?

 

[Nightshade]

Take them off the heat mat if you keep forgetting and if they are seedlings you don't really need it

 

[Tame The Scovies]

Only 5 seedlings in a 72 cell. Should I still go ahead and take the heat mat off? I have already removed the hood.

 

[Nightshade]

I see no difference in heat mat or no heat mat if anything its only 2 days more

 

[peterjack]

If you dont use heat mat the moisture will stay inside the enclosure and should be moisted enough for 3 weeks or until the sprout.


i dont use a heat mat, i just use a aluminum tray with covers from the dollarstore and peat pellets. i just water the pellets a little hot maybe 50c, and wait 10 min and put the seeds on.. after 6-7 days they popped.. just sharing

 

[catherinew]

I use pellets, too, as well as a good potting mix in the larger cells. With the pellets I seed with 2-3 seeds, and with the larger cells, I like to put 6-7 of each variety. With the hot peppers, I need a heat mat since they're close to a window. Even this year 2 varieties took close to 5 weeks to sprout. I just hope they're REAL hot!

With the peat pellets, I put them in a shallow metal pan and pour boiling water on them - just In case they might be carrying something I'd rather not have with the seeds. I save each and every sprout that develops and share them with the store that sells the soils, kelp, etc. that I want to use. That way the guys at the store get to grow their 'exotic' ( as they call them) hot peppers and I get a discount.

Good luck to you and your gardens.

 

[zantrax]

You could try increasing the humidity in the tray if you need the heat mat... Put a bowl or a tray in there with water, the more surface area you have the more humidity it will generate, the higher humidity the slower your peat pellets will dry out.

 

[peterjack]

You could try increasing the humidity in the tray if you need the heat mat... Put a bowl or a tray in there with water, the more surface area you have the more humidity it will generate, the higher humidity let slower your peat pellets will dry out.

+1 to this!