I just received a load of seeds I bought to grow indoors and I'm getting ready to get them started. My question is whether there is any problem starting the seeds in Jiffy peat pellets? For soil I'm using a fairly standard potting soil mixed with perlite and vermiculite. I'm definitely willing to experiment once I get the hang of chilis, but I'd like something simple for the moment.
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media Starting in peat pellets
- Thread starter finitejest
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Peat pellets work pretty good, but the germination rate wont be as high. So just plant an extra few seeds, and you'll be good to go. They dry out REALLY quick, so keep an eye on them.
Thanks duder. What would you recommend, next time? I'm hoping the pellets will give me a higher germination rate than just poppin' the seeds in the soil, at least.
Well, if you want a higher germination rate, I would go with MG Starter Soil. Im sure there are other starter soils out here. But I think the MG will be easier to find.
For ME, I prefer the peat pellets. Sure they are harder to keep up because having to water them so much. But with the starter soil, its harder to know when to water because you cant tell when the soil is dry. For that, though, I just wait until the seedling wilts a little, THEN water.
For ME, I prefer the peat pellets. Sure they are harder to keep up because having to water them so much. But with the starter soil, its harder to know when to water because you cant tell when the soil is dry. For that, though, I just wait until the seedling wilts a little, THEN water.
You could also try coir pellets. Burpee sells a nice little system (available at Home Depot) with 36 or 72 coir pellets, in 6x6 and 6x12 cell trays with holes in the bottom of each cell for bottom watering, a dome, and a bottom tray, for $7 and $9. Coir doesn't dry to a brick like peat; it's flakier. I find it a lot easier and cleaner to work with, with significantly higher germination rates (about 50 % versus 80 % in my experience).
I started with peat pellets, a seedling dome. Then I found the heat mat. The three are almost fool-proof for germinating seeds. It keeps the temp and humidity up and prevents the pellets from really drying out. You can leave the seedings in the dome until they get their first set of leaves with no worries.
This is an example of the setup I had Seedling Tray Dome. I got the complete setup at walmart for something like $20.
This is an example of the setup I had Seedling Tray Dome. I got the complete setup at walmart for something like $20.
Peat pellets are not really great for chiles IMO. People spend much time and effort ammending their peat soil but then they use straight peat jiffy's for seedlings. Jiffys do not hold moisture well, they're usually either too dry and crust up or to wet, and they are not pH balanced. Most people even remove the netting with chiles to help roots through, but this takes away the whole convenience factor. I much prefer an ammended peat or coir based medium in small pots or plastic cells. Generally the looser the soil the better
Edit: I personally don't recommend MG starter soils or any "soil" with nutrients already in them. I usually just use pro-mix or similar pH'd peat/perlite/vermiculite/ mix
Edit: I personally don't recommend MG starter soils or any "soil" with nutrients already in them. I usually just use pro-mix or similar pH'd peat/perlite/vermiculite/ mix
I've used the Jiffy peat pellets with success. Like everyone else is saying you have to keep an eye on them as they will dry out. The best way to tell if they need watering is to pick them up. Won't take you long to know the difference between a dry one and a wet one.
Best of luck to you.
Best of luck to you.