I bought a 4 cell soil blocker last year, but it did not work very well. It ripped apart about 3 of the 4 cells when I pushed them out. I contacted the seller and they sent me another one, but it had the same problem with the push plates stopping well before the soil blocks were ejected. So, I returned the second one for a refund.
However, I still had the first soil blocker they sent me. Later last summer I reengineered that soil blocker with some new hardware so the pusher now ejects the soil blocks without ripping them apart. I hope to use that soil blocker later this spring.
OK. This is a point I am concerned about. I have seen a number of YouTube videos where people will fill the 10X20 tray up with water 1/4 to 1/2 the height of the tray, let the pots sits in the water for 20-30 minutes, but then drain off any water remaining in the tray after that. In those videos, they were using standard seed starting 6 pack plastic pots, red Solo cups, etc...
I watched another YouTube video where the guy was using the 3" net pots with the slits, and he filled his tray with 1/4-inch of water and just let the pots sit in the water for a day or two as they soaked up the water, then he would rewater the tray after a few more days when the net pot soil got a bit dry. For his system, he was pretty adamant about only filling the 10X20 tray up with 1/4-inch of water and letting the net pots sit for days.
I guess there is a difference between the two methods based on the type of enclosed pot versus net cup with slits or soil block which have no plastic. Is that about right?
I watched another YouTube video where the guy was warning people about these "biodegradable peat pots" and leaving the plant in the pot when transplanting. I guess not all peat or cow pots are made to the same quality. He stated that some peat pots actually take a year, or even two, to biodegrade in the soil. So, your transplant would still get root bound in the peat pot buried in the garden. He recommended to always remove the plant from the peat pot and then toss the peat pot into a compost bin.
Thanks. Hardening off is another concern I have and I am glad you addressed it. I don't have a greenhouse - yet - but I am planning on building a hinged hoop top on one of my raised beds and using that as a hardening off mini green house for my plants. Also, for inside the house, I have a small oscillating fan with a low setting that I plan on moving air over the plants on my seed starting shelf. I hear that air movement over the plants will strengthen the main stem and the plants will grow stronger.
Oh no! I have had some issues where the tops might get a bit mangled and a failed mix which I had to scrap a tray (but that was my fault, didn't add coco coir to my soil mix and they ended up suffocating the seedlings because it compacted). But haven't had issues with the entire blocks getting massacred. I wonder if it's a brand thing and if some brands just construct their blockers better. I believe mine was made in England.
As for the watering situation, short answer: yes. I wouldn't leave my house plants in an inch of water because they'll drown. Their pots, even with drainage holes, are not as aerated and can't get rid of that excess moisture fast enough. The same goes for those basic plastic seedling trays and solo cups. The plastic retains the moisture and will rot the roots if left too long. On the other hand, net pots, organic pots, and soil blocks have full contact with the air on the sides. There's less worrying about root rot because the pots dry out waaaay faster than any plastic pot. While growing in a dry (non-humid) room isn't ideal according to the books, it's honestly how most of us grow in the winter where it gets cold. I know my room hovers between 20-38% AH and 68-72F. The dryness of the room helps dry the pots/blocks out as well. The guy you watched on youtube was right, you can fill it up a generous amount and leave it to drink it as it wants. Mine haven't drowned yet and like I said, I fill my 10x20 trays up nearly an inch about 1-2 times a week.
The peat pot thing is also true. I wanted pulp, but had to go with what I found. I'll see what shape they are at the end of April before deciding if I'm going to put them directly in the ground. I had to remove the pots last year before putting them in the ground and unfortunately killed some of my zucchini which do not like their roots touched. I'll definitely be growing all my cukes, zucchini, and squash in soil blocks to start them to avoid upsetting them. I do compost everything right now, so it'll end up in my composter if I do come to not using the pots.
That's a great idea for a makeshift greenhouse! I've actually seen someone on insta who made a huge hoop house with a small wooden base and doorframe (I think the base was only a few 2x6s stacked, not very tall and I wouldn't consider it a wall) and then used pvc as the piping before throwing the plastic over the top and calling it a day. They were able to make a very large sized greenhouse for a great price and not a lot of work. Maybe I'll convince my husband at the end of the season.
Oscillating air is also good to keep plants from getting mildewy too. In very humid environments, leaves can wilt due to excess moisture. Not really a worry inside in the winter, but I have fans on my cannabis plants in their tent to prevent the lower limbs from getting yucky and because the tent is closed off from the rest of the world and needs better airflow. I don't do it with my seedlings because they'll get the wind when they harden off, while still be in a sheltered environment, but it's certainly not a waste! Anything to make them hardier!
And no worries, I love being able to help fellow gardeners succeed. The absolute worst is investing all the money, daydreaming, and being so excited for things, only to go wrong. Happened to me a few times and it helps mitigate issues when you ask someone with a lot more experience. I still make mistakes too.
I moved to a new house in October and set up raised garden beds without paying attention to the sun. Turns out the longest 21' section got 0 sun because of the fence and sun's trajectory despite being south facing. Spend 3.5 hours yesterday moving 2 yards of dirt and the beds to put it in the sun. I am sore as heck today, but glad I just went and did it instead of risking a poor harvest. Take it all in stride and don't be afraid to ask questions!
