SEEDLINGS /GERMINATION
since I started having Gnat issues not to mention the gnat infestation here in VA outside (record Gnats last 3 yrs)
I changed the way I am starting things. the first thing I did was get a seed starter kit.
You guys been listening to me whine about Gnats. and the one thing I am sure of the best way to deal with them is never get any, and the key is to not leave a welcome mat for them water , organic soil and Light are all you need to
1. grow your pot
2. create a colony of fungus Gnats
I choose #1 my last grow I had gnats in my solo cups and 1 gal air pots. so I have changed my whole germination to seedling step By getting a bottom watering starter kit
The green bottom is where you add the water as you can see it has a raised bottom and is you look at the bottom clear planter , you can see the wholes in the bottom
after you have filled the planter with medium and Plant the sprout/seeds* add 1/4 to 1/2 of a inch of water (since SNS 209 is 100% organic and adds rosemary to your soil and plants the Rose meric acid from Rosemary will kill and deter almost all pest I add 1 tbs per gallon and start using it now) after you add the water and place the planter in the base.
then add the topper
I got the fancy one with the light. already inside
Here is the final look. I stuck my seeds in a small cup with about 1 in of water, added the seed and sat it on the heating mat for 12 to 24 hrs till the seed started to pop as soon as I say the seed was opening I buried the seed about 3/4 of a inch deep in less than 24 hrs I had plants breaking thru the soil. I gotta admit it was a lot easier than using the proven paper towel method. Here is the real kicker I got 4 planters with the lights enough to start 4 dozen plants at once and the entire kit cost me $17 on the ZON. after this I will transplant them in 1 gal fabric pots with Velcro. this allows me to keep them in the container a lot longer than a solo cup. either way going outside or going into Hot organic soil I will have a strong and sturdy seedling/plant easy to survive
BTW the creepy looking dolls belong to my wife, they really creep out the grandkids. especially when a grandkid sleeps over. and while they are sleeping we move them around who is sleeping on the couch. so fun to watch them when they wake up and think the dolls are alive