Tell me about float tray systems

[Knucklehead]

It's not the regular Miracle Grow Potting Mix, it's the Miracle Grow Seed Starting Potting Mix.

 

[Knucklehead]

EVALUATION OF FLOAT TRAYS WITH HIGH CELL NUMBERS ON STAND COUNTS AND YIELDS IN A CLOSE-GROWN TOBACCO PRODUCTION SYSTEM

http://www.tobaccoscienceonline.org/doi/pdf/10.3381/10-005.1

 

[Boboro]

Them folks just go on an on. Makes my head hurt. But a good find.

 

[jekylnz]

EVALUATION OF FLOAT TRAYS WITH HIGH CELL NUMBERS ON STAND COUNTS AND YIELDS IN A CLOSE-GROWN TOBACCO PRODUCTION SYSTEMhttp://www.tobaccoscienceonline.org/doi/pdf/10.3381/10-005.1

It's actually quite good to read about some trials that have been done before about closer spacing. .I've been discussing this with springheal (phil) for the last few days..as we have quite limited space..last year I grew them close (v.g) some as close as15cm..and still got good leaf as the plants work around each other..so this year I'm trying a number of growing distances on all different types..even wrapper types. .so I'll see how things turn out at the end of this grow

 

[Knucklehead]

BORON DEFICIENCY AND CHILLING INJURY INTERACTIONS IN TOBACCO TRANSPLANTS GROWN IN THE FLOAT SYSTEM

http://www.tobaccoscienceonline.org/doi/pdf/10.3381/1953.1

 

[Knucklehead]

FACTORS AFFECTING EARLY FIELD GROWTH OF FLUE-CURED TOBACCO TRANSPLANTS PRODUCED IN THE FLOAT SYSTEM

http://www.tobaccoscienceonline.org/doi/pdf/10.3381/0082-4623-45.1.35

 

[Knucklehead]

METABOLIC ACTIVITY OF FLOAT-TOBACCO TRANSPLANT ROOTS

http://www.tobaccoscienceonline.org/doi/pdf/10.3381/0082-4623-44.1.65

 

[forumdotabaco]

I will be looking for compost for my float trays in a few days I need some advise
from what I understood the right compost for float trays is mainly pure peat moss mixed with vermiculite or Perlite right?
nothing else? should I ad some Earthworm humus to the mix?
I my mind the proper mix should be made of 75% pure peat moss + 25% of vermiculite am I right?

 

[leverhead]

... mix should be made of 75% pure peat moss + 25% of vermiculite am I right?

I use 50/50.

 

[forumdotabaco]

what kind of peat moss?
I have found several kinds available blond peat moss, dark peat moss, and Baltic peat moss

 

[leverhead]

what kind of peat moss?
I have found several kinds available blond peat moss, dark peat moss, and Baltic peat moss

I used Sphagnum peat moss. I don't think it really maters, unless something (fertilizer) has been added it's pretty much inert. I sift out the bigger twigs and lumps before using it.

 

[forumdotabaco]

ok , great, thank you
if you had to choose between with or without fertilizer what one would you choose?

 

[leverhead]

ok , great, thank you
if you had to choose between with or without fertilizer what one would you choose?

I would use without fertilizer. That way I know what's going in, I put the fertilizer in the water.

 

[forumdotabaco]

Good advise, I am considering to go that way to, I already brought myself a tds3 for 10$ in ebay

 

[forumdotabaco]

hey leverhead just finished my mix, 2 gallons of uncompressed peat moss to alf a gallon of vermiculite
what do you think?

 

[leverhead]

hey leverhead just finished my mix, 2 gallons of uncompressed peat moss to alf a gallon of vermiculite
what do you think?

I would add another 1 1/2 gallons of vermiculite, I use equal parts of peat moss and vermiculite (50/50). If cost is a problem, use pearlite. I don't think pearlite holds any moisture, vermiculite does hold moisture. I think the only other thing that vermiculite or pearlite do in the peat moss, is to keep it from settling (packing) too much in the cells over the 6-8 weeks that seedlings are in there.

 

[forumdotabaco]

hi costs are not a problem, I'm just afraid we can be speaking about different particle sizes, can you post a pic of your mix please?

 

[leverhead]

hi costs are not a problem, I'm just afraid we can be speaking about different particle sizes, can you post a pic of your mix please?

This is from last year, but it's the same mix. I'll try to get a better picture in the morning.

http://fairtradetobacco.com/threads/1976-Leverhead-s-2013-T-Patches-SE-Texas?p=30858&viewfull=1#post30858

 

[forumdotabaco]

fixed I have my mix at 50/50 already, thank you

 

[forumdotabaco]

back, now I need another advise, are we supposed to water the trays from the top the first time? or I should just wait the moisture to go up?