Anyone using deep seed trays?

[Jitterbugdude]

I know a couple of you are using the Deeproots seed tray...https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/50-deep-cell-plug-trays/plug-flats_1

Any comments on these or similar items? I'm thinking of buying a few for next year but my concern is that they are so deep ( 5inches) that a heat mat will have not be able to penerate to the top of the soil.

Comments?

 

[leverhead]

Wow, those are deep! Mine are 3" deep, I've been happy with them. If I had any complaint at all, it would be the amount of starting mix I go through.

 

[dubhelix]

I used them. I think they work great. When germinating, I kept a half inch of water in the 1020 tray, which got nice and warm from the heat mat. I also covered the cell tray during germination, which helped retain some heat. They do take a lot of starting mix, but the root cone is robust and when planted gets the roots nice and deep.

 

[Knucklehead]

I think that's the best root system I've seen on a tobacco seedling.

 

[dubhelix]

Thanks, Knucklehead. I used a 50/50 mix (by volume) of peat moss and vermiculite, with a layer (4mm?) of straight peat moss on top. Interesting that the roots don't seem to be in the top layer.

 

[Knucklehead]

Are you planting with post hole diggers or hydraulic post driver? That root system is awesome.

 

[dubhelix]

I use an Ossilating Post-Industrial Cylindrical Soil Interface Cavitation Device.



It's a mop handle I sawed off. I still hurt from planting the first bed, so by the time I got to bed number three, I rigged up tools so I could do everything without squatting or kneeling.

 

[quo155]

That's an awesome looking root system...I can only imagine that the 5" trays offer nothing but greatness...