Peat pellets=rockwool cubes for cloning?

[maryjannne]

I live in a place where they seem to have never heard of rockwool, I went to three plant places. They do have peat pellets and on the package is a pic of plant roots growing out of it, will these work? And on a related topic, I wanted to eliminate the need for transplanting from a small pot to a medium pot by using those small pots made out of biodegradable stuff,... is there any reason Not to do that? are mj roots strong enough to break free of them?

[betterhomesandgarden]

Yes, you can use the Pellets to clone. I have used them many times to clone. Not sure on the potting question.

BHG

[maryjannne]

thanks very much for answering. I have asked a few questions in the past and got no answer at all. PlanetSkunk is great for getting ques answered but the site never seems to be working anymore.

[Jdog7000]

I know some people who like them better then RW.
RW is also made of a wierd rock.
Not the most environmentally friendly thing to use.
I've been considering going back to those.

[SmokeyD.Bear]

Here's some info on making biodegradable seedling pots from newspaper:

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/gardeningfrugally/ht/newspaperpots.htm

[Garden Knowm]

Hi Mary,

yes the pellets do work well.. Have you cloned before?
Using wily spray will increase you chance of successful cloning.

cheers..

[maryjannne]

thanks everyone

[GaGrown]

If you use the biodegradable peat pots,be sure to transplant before the roots penetrate it! You should have them moist enough that your able to tear the bottom off and leave all four sides!If it's the pellets? Then carefully tear the netting before transplanting The roots will grow straight down and then spread trough the new soil you transplanted in.Thus reducing transplant shock,by a great deal!That's only with the pots not the pellets! They are both a good choice! I'd go with the pots not the pellets!

Ga Grown

[stinkyattic]

Yeah, what Ga said.
You can kind of tear up the pot a little. It's good.

For growing from seed I used to be REALLY happy with the pellets.

Then I got sick of always running out and switched to nursery 6-packs.

If you use pots, get the square ones if you can. You'll save space.

[Garden Knowm]

Hey Ga Grown.. : )

Why do you transplant before seeing the roots?

And I have never had to tear the net.. the roots just push through the netting... : )

iloveyou

[GaGrown]

Knowm,
The plastic on the pellets is not biodegradable! It just gives them a better chance as to spread the roots faster and become stable in it's new pot.Just a stress thing for me.You don't have to! Makes good practice,though!That's just what I have done in the past! I use the greenhouse flats now! 18 or 32 per tray! You don't disturb the roots and you can use them again and again! You see the roots at the bottom of the pot,through the slits for drainage.

Ga Grown

[stinkyattic]

Yeah, greenhouse flats rock.

They are easy to water without disturbing the delicate seedlings.

Just pick up the whole thing and place it in a tray of water for a minute or so.

[Opie Yutts]

Many seed banks recommend peat pellets for sprouting. Plain old peat will also work and much cheaper. Stay away from rockwool if possible, it sucks. Too wet.

[Garden Knowm]

ROCKWOOL IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!
grrrrrrrr

[lovetogrow]

i used peat pellets for a while and they are great. i wouldnt use the bio.pots because they get wet and dont seem to dry and attract bugs. i use rockwool now b/c some of my plants go hydro and other soil. but those are just my thoughts

[stinkyattic]

My days of using peat for anything other than a soil acidifier are over.
It holds too much water. It has a pH in the 4 range!!!!!
Wet+acidic=sad plants.

I suspect the pellets are treated to be pH neutral.

I've moved on to a mix of 1 part vermiculite, 1 part perlite, and 2 parts seaweed compost.

[Opie Yutts]

Both peat and rockwool hold a lot of moisture. Peat for soil and rockwool for hydro, mostly. This has been nothing but a problem for me and I highly recommend something closer to stinky's recipe, at least for beginners. Perlite is great at creating aeration, and vermiculite is great for holding moisture (both are essential). Experiment with mixes to see what you like.