peat pots

[anna]

I've got several hundred plug size seedings to overwinter in my conservatory, so I potted them up into peat pots to save space and money, then put them into seed trays lined with newspaper and a thin layer of vermiculite as I know they're a bugg*r for drying out. I've not really used peat pots before and it was a huge disaster - the outside of the pots went mouldy, the insides kept going dry, which meant I had to pot them all up again properly and lost quite a few things before I managed to repot everything.

Is this common or have I just been unlucky? What did I do wrong?

Anna

[anna]

[tim]

I can't cope with them - not that that should dissuade anyone!!

As to watering - I'm a firm believer in a capillary bench. = Tim

[Doris_Pinks]

Tim, trying not to sound thick here! But by a capilliary bench, is it matting you sit your trays etc on, then just water the matting and not the plants? DP

[teresa]

Yep sound like it to me Doris, if you cut a strip of the matting to go from the bench to a bucket full of water automatic watering system. Mates hubby uses it that way.
Me I did well with a large plastic tray half filled with sharp sand then stand pots on the sand and water the sand.
For long tap roots use peat in trays keeps the bottom of the pots warmer?
Well thats my 2p's worth we all have different methords but peat pots nice idea to plant up, grow on and put the whole thing in the ground. Me could not get on with them then the mice found the unused ones and chewed them so they went in the compost bin.

[tim]

- thick? - a 5 star general?

Like Teresa -

[Doris_Pinks]

Thanks Tim and Teresa.Will give it a go, anything to help with the watering! (especially as we have just booked our holiday for the first few weeks in April!! Bad time to leave me plants :'()

[teresa]

Anna what seedlings are you overwintering?
Doris try it out first before you go away ( anywhere nice)
how's your neighbroughs any gardeners who would come and check?

[tim]

Warning -  our 6'x3' mat gets through some 2 gal water a day when in full use with bottom warmth.

Matting will lift water 4". = Tim

[anna]

Anna what seedlings are you overwintering?

A mixture of alpines and cottage garden perennials.

Anna

[Doris_Pinks]

Teresa, umm yes, a bit nice.Bermuda!! (Hubby & kids born there, so after 6 years time to revisit!)
Sister housesitting, and off for the week, have told her she can weed, did not look too enthusiatic!! Wonder why!!
2 Gals water tim!! Crikey!
Will have to give it a go before I leave :-)

[tim]

That's a big area - and the worst situation - but one has to mention it. = Tim