Peat Pots - has anyone used them successfully with seedlings?

LatteBroker

Active Member
I'm a first time grower, but I've spent the last 2 months reading up on everything. I've easily spent 100+ hours reading through grow journals and various growing threads. I can't thank you guys enough for creating this amazing knowledge base...I was a little bit dismayed when I managed to kill off 4 healthy seedlings, especially since I couldn't figure out why the hell the died. Lighting, temperature, humidity, soil, and everything was right where it's supposed to be. I had a gentle fan blowing on them to strengthen the stems, no nutes, and I was basically growing by the books based on everything I've read. Also, I have a fucking biochem degree, so I should be able to grow a weed (finally, I'm actually putting that degree to use!).

The only reason I could find for all of my seedlings dying was those brown biodegradable peat pots that can theoretically be tossed into a larger pot for transplanting, without having to take the plant out. Those pots were drying out really quickly, with the moisture evaporating from the sides of them, and I found myself having to water the seedlings way more than I knew I should be watering them. It was either don't water, and the ground would literally be bone dry, or keep them moist and have to water them constantly. I even tried misting them to keep them moist. I germ'd an additional 4 seeds, instead putting them in the small black plastic pots, and I haven't had a problem since.

So I'm wondering if any of you guys/gals use these peat pots for your seedlings, and if so, how do you keep them from drying out so quickly? What are you doing differently? I like the idea of being able to transplant without shocking the plant, but I couldn't get it to work.

I've attached a pic of the seedling I managed to save - I just cut the bottom of the peat pot off, cut some slits in the sides, and stuck her directly into a ~1 gallon pot. 25% perlite and 75% FFOF. She's doing great now, and I plan to move her into a 5 gallon pot next week. She's Kandy Kush x Skunk #1, which was a freebie from Herbie's. photo.jpg

Thanks!
 

Rotweiller

Well-Known Member
Hello LB. I've been using these Peat Pots in an Electric Propagator for the last 12 months now and i love them. :-P I found that i have to Mist them lightly 3 times a day for about a week then i re-home them into their next 1 litre pot. or whatever pot is needed.
I don't bother using a Fan on them until they are in the 1 ltr pot either as new seedlings seem to like the heat and humidity of the Propagator :weed:
Once they are in their Bigger pots they shouldn't dry out as quick even with a fan on them :weed:
Happy Growing & Good Luck Mate ;-)
Rotti.
 

LatteBroker

Active Member
Rotweiller - thanks for the reply, and nice dog bro. I have a doberman myself...fucking thing follows me around the house like he's attached with velcro. I haven't used the elec propagator yet, but will probably look into one, regardless of whether I make the switch back to the peat pots. I walk around the hydro store like a kid at toys r us. I'm guessing that the humidity inside the propagator helps retain the moisture of the peat pots. Are you doing another transplant from the 1L pot to a larger pot, or are you growing them all the way to glory in the 1L?

Best of luck to you as well!

Hello LB. I've been using these Peat Pots in an Electric Propagator for the last 12 months now and i love them. :-P I found that i have to Mist them lightly 3 times a day for about a week then i re-home them into their next 1 litre pot. or whatever pot is needed.
I don't bother using a Fan on them until they are in the 1 ltr pot either as new seedlings seem to like the heat and humidity of the Propagator :weed:
Once they are in their Bigger pots they shouldn't dry out as quick even with a fan on them :weed:
Happy Growing & Good Luck Mate ;-)
Rotti.
 

Rotweiller

Well-Known Member
Rotweiller - thanks for the reply, and nice dog bro. I have a doberman myself...fucking thing follows me around the house like he's attached with velcro. I haven't used the elec propagator yet, but will probably look into one, regardless of whether I make the switch back to the peat pots. I walk around the hydro store like a kid at toys r us. I'm guessing that the humidity inside the propagator helps retain the moisture of the peat pots. Are you doing another transplant from the 1L pot to a larger pot, or are you growing them all the way to glory in the 1L?

Best of luck to you as well!
Hi LB. I Love Doberman's, There's a Bloke in the next Village that has 3 of them and he takes them to All the Big Dog Shows and has Loads of Trophy’s and Rosettes for them. :cool:
And i Know what you mean about the Velcro :lol::lol::lol: My Girl is Exactly the same :lol: :roll:
I'm Sure if She had Hands that she would try to help me grow my MJ lol...
When i Turn my back she Help's me with my Dinner :lol: :wall:

I Bought my Heated Propagator at B&Q (Hardware Store in the UK) for £13 (you can pick them up in the US for around $15/20) and has been one of my Best Investment apart from my MJ Seeds lol... It has now given me a 100% Success Rate with All my seeds so far to date.
And yes you are right, The Humidity and Constant 75/80F Heat make ALL the difference when Germinating Seeds And Rooting Cuttings :weed:
I Start my Seeds of in the Peat Pots then into 1 litre, then 3 litre, then 5 litre, 10 litre, 14 litre Depending on what im growing but sometimes i might Skip a pot size for Fast growing plants (like MJ).
At the moment i have 2 Pineapple Chunk's & 1 AK47 in 3 Litre pots and 1 AK47 in a 6.5 litre pot All just over 4 Weeks into Flowering :bigjoint:and they are Smelling Great lol...
I Would Highly Recommend getting a Propagator if you can as i they Speed up the Germination Process by 3 to 4 times Quicker than without one from what i've Grown so far :clap: and are worth their weight in Gold :weed::hug:
If i can offer you any help at all? just ask and i'll do my best to sound Smart :dunce: lol...
Happy Growing ;-)
Rotti.
 

Aussie84

Member
Hey mate, super late reply.. But the problem is that you have the pot sticking out of the ground.. You will need to bury the pot into the soil without any of the remainder sticking out, if the rim is sticking out evaporation will dry it out completely!

You have probably solved the problem already, but thought it might help :peace:

Good luck brother :)

Pete
 
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