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Post by lizbleu on Apr 4, 2021 2:04:17 GMT -5
I searched but nothing came up, unless I did something wrong. I want to transplant outdoors toward end of May. When would be appropriate to start them in AGs? I am talking about plants- mainly perennials.
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Shawn
Administrator
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Post by Shawn on Apr 4, 2021 5:11:51 GMT -5
I have no idea since I do not seed start for outdoors.
We do have many members who do this and hopefully they can assist. I believe it also depends on where you live.
I do know that many (if not all) seed packets post such info on them. But again I have no clue... Sorry
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Sher
AGA Farmer
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Post by Sher on Apr 4, 2021 7:38:28 GMT -5
NOTE: These direction are for annuals. I would repot perennials and let them get bigger and stronger.
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Sometimes the seed packets tell you how many weeks to start them indoors before transplanting them outdoors.
I never wait that long because I don't want to have to repot them a couple of times before setting out big healthy plant starts.
I let them get at least 4 true leaves, set the AG bowl on the deck for an hour in the shade one day, 2 hours the next, 4 hours the next, (gradually exposing them to more light each day), then most of the next day, then all day and overnight.
Then I transplant them outdoors, water in well and get great results.
There is a risk of bringing in bugs that way, but so far it hasn't happened. (Although I have gotten them other ways.)
But without hardening off the plants, they will not survive the transplant outdoors.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
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Post by airscapes on Apr 4, 2021 7:56:39 GMT -5
It depends on how big you want your plants when you put them out and how much room you have to grow them in pots within your home before the weather is warm enough. So look at the seed pack and see what it says for Days to germination which is usually a range. In your AG figure on the shortest time in the range, especially if the seeds are fresh, older seeds may take longer to germinate.
Once you get 2 sets of real leaves you should be able to transplant to pots. Then you have a couple weeks for the roots to establish and the plant to grow into that pot (assume 4" pots most use if going outside within a couple weeks.) Then work backwards from your target date with your total time . Remember you can be late, the warmer the ground when you plant the faster your plants will grow. Do a google search for each type of plant you are going to grow and ask "What soil temperature does bla bla bla need to grow". So even if the air is 72, if the ground is still 48F the plant will not grow, they will just sit there with cold feet..
I live in the Philadelphia PA area in an urban area that typically stays warmer all winter and is hotter all summer than rural areas near by. I also have raised beds that warm much faster than the ground and when plastic is put over them they heat up even faster.
I typically give myself 4-5 weeks before planting outside target and have started too early more than once ending up very large pot bound plants that then took a long time to do anything once moved out side. Better to be late with smaller plants that form their roots in the soil where they will live rather than real early with tall spindly plants with a pot bound root ball. Good luck and measure the ground temp now and every week to see how thing are doing..
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Post by lizbleu on Apr 4, 2021 14:53:08 GMT -5
sher airscapes Thanks! I thought the germination info on packets didn’t apply because it assumes soil and slower growth than AG. I will go by the low end and calculate from there. Being able to keep them in the AG bowl is a great idea as it hardens them off before transplanting which is stressful enough. Then you don’t have to disturb them excessively, repotting multiple times. I just thought of something: I have seed trays for soil. I will plant in both and compare for learning purposes.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
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Post by Sher on Apr 4, 2021 15:12:43 GMT -5
sher airscapes Thanks! I thought the germination info on packets didn’t apply because it assumes soil and slower growth than AG. I will go by the low end and calculate from there. Being able to keep them in the AG bowl is a great idea as it hardens them off before transplanting which is stressful enough. Then you don’t have to disturb them excessively, repotting multiple times. I just thought of something: I have seed trays for soil. I will plant in both and compare for learning purposes.
That is an excellent idea! I would love to see your results, too!
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
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Post by airscapes on Apr 4, 2021 16:53:09 GMT -5
I have seed trays for soil. I will plant in both and compare for learning purposes. Here's the rub.. if you don't have your soil born seeds as warm as you areogarden, your results will be off!  My cousin complains her seed don't germinate and when they do the don't grow.. She does this every year in a cold basement.. The nice thing about the AG is that it is self contained so things work well without any fuss! |
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Post by cloudshaper on Apr 8, 2021 20:08:18 GMT -5
In Seattle, I don't do any earlier than the end of February, because I can't put most things out overnight until mid-May.
I really need to start going later than the end of Feb, as my lights are always overwhelmed....
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Apr 8, 2021 22:46:03 GMT -5
In Seattle, I don't do any earlier than the end of February, because I can't put most things out overnight until mid-May. I really need to start going later than the end of Feb, as my lights are always overwhelmed....
I know what you mean about your lights being overwhelmed.
I crowd my potted and Kratky plants in a tight circle around every available light source, and most of them still don't get enough.
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Post by cloudshaper on Apr 9, 2021 1:10:30 GMT -5
I got hold of something on Amazon called a Greenhouse Bucket, and that's useful for putting the hardier stuff out during the day, at least. Trying not to covet a proper grow rack, but dangit, I already have the one I want picked out!!!
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Apr 9, 2021 6:34:56 GMT -5
cloudshaper, I looked up greenhouse bucket on Amazon to see what you were talking about. It is a good idea.
But I bet you'll end up with your grow rack, too!  |
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Post by Quantum on Apr 9, 2021 15:58:35 GMT -5
“ Trying not to covet a proper grow rack, but dangit, I already have the one I want picked out!!! “ Didn’t know a grow rack was a thing until your post! Now I’m going to plan on getting one. Curious, which one had you already pick out? |
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Post by cloudshaper on Apr 11, 2021 19:02:12 GMT -5
“ Trying not to covet a proper grow rack, but dangit, I already have the one I want picked out!!! “ Didn’t know a grow rack was a thing until your post! Now I’m going to plan on getting one. Curious, which one had you already pick out? The Oslo 4 tier rack from Gardener's Supply seems to have the right balance in capacity and flexibility for my needs. I want something that can work with a variety of sizes, but isn't enormous given my small apartment. Right now I have grow lights rigged to a 2 tier shoe rack I already had, but I'm quite out of room! |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Apr 11, 2021 20:07:30 GMT -5
cloudshaper many years ago I had a 3 tier Gardeners Supply grow rack similar to this one for African violets. I loved it! If the quality is still the same, you can't go wrong with their products.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,218
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Post by Shawn on Apr 12, 2021 8:51:32 GMT -5
That shelf unit is nice for all potted plants.
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Post by Quantum on Apr 12, 2021 16:21:45 GMT -5
Thanks cloudshaper for the info. When I first saw the term “grow rack”, I searched for it on Amazon and had gleaned something different from what you were referring to. That unit you referenced looks great! Time for me to get serious and figure out my needs! |
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