I definitely drink two cups of coffee in the morning while catching up on the recent growing-fruit postings but this is about starting seedlings and the number of cups to use. I started a few plants last year and it was easier for me to keep from making a mess by adding a second cup to the bottom that doesn’t have any holes. I didn’t realize it at the time but apparently some regularly use this method. I’m still new to using two cups but as of now they seem to work well. These are 16 oz cups and by accident I found out that the blue and red cups are different diameters so no stone is needed to elevate the inside cup. I’m too new to doing this to know if this is a good method. It’s 25F outside right now so I’m about to start my 2nd cup of coffee. Have a great day.
Once my starts have graduated from flats I use a lot of quart yogurt containers. I can keep them neat and catch some surplus water by putting the lids underneath. I believe it’s useful to let a certain amount of water drain though the potting mix to prevent salt build up. While a bit of standing water at a plants feet can be useful, it may also be useful to occasionally dump that water as a purifying process.
I start my days with about a pint of coffee. Lightly roasted Columbian dripped through paper. The paper catches the one known toxic ingredient in coffee, which otherwise appears to be a health beverage in moderation.
I typically have a ‘12-cup’ pot every morning, sitting in front of the fire with my wife and dog-ter.
Ouch. 17 F here this morning, 24 yesterday. That’ll more than likely knock out a bunch of pears. Almost afraid to go look at the blueberries.
Popped 3 or 4 mulberry seedlings out of the ground yesterday and potted them up…looks like one had already begun pushing leaves…that were brown & shriveled…no worries…they’re just a big ol’ weed!
Exactly!
I may be crazy, but I grow my starts(at least tomatoes and peppers) in half-gallon reusable pots. I start them in small cells, and when they emerge, even before first pair of leaves, I transplant them in their big pots. I like big pots because while seedlings are small, I can water them on the sides, leaving middle, where sidling is, relatively dry. The seedling doesn’t get wet feet as in a small container and encouraged to develop a good root system to reach water. When the peppers grow to a 1-1.5’ the pots are still serving them well, though sometimes I may need 2 watering a day on sunny days. I started my peppers on March 2, they will go to the ground around mid(or end of) May. They usually have several half size peppers on them at this time and if I didn’t put them out too early grow well and fast. .
I second the two cup method. The only twist for me is I like to pre slice the inner cup down two sides and keep the bottom intact as a hinge. Like a cup clamshell. Then at transplant you slip it up; split it and the cup comes off the roots no worries no mess. Totally reusable.