I am doing year 0 of adaptation agriculture for new varieties or species. Direct seed will come in the future when I got more seeds available to try.
I want to multiply the seeds that I got in swaps and the very rare varieties that I got in very small quantities. Sometimes only one seed. So I want to increment my production of seedlings of new varieties that I collected during the year.
I have some 104 seed trays, 8x13 cells, but the place where I bought them no longer offers them and other places the price is much higher. Anybody got some recommendation of where to buy seeds trays?
Other idea that I have is soil blockers, I got the 5cmx5cm metal one. It is a bit big for most of the seeds. So I want to buy a smaller one like 2cmx1.7cm this one of cecoted. The price is a bit steep 29 and 26€ for shipping. So 55€. Got other recomendations?
I also trying to mass sow in plastic trays but some seedling do not like the roots to be disturbed when I transplant the.
We do a large part of our sowing with hand seeders (soil blockers) around here. For a small quantity I find it a very good solution, but it can quickly become physical if the quantities increase.
Cecotec is a good supplier, to see if you don’t have a local reseller? (in France you can find them at Triangle Outillage for example)
Same as you Arnaud. Soil blockers of three types: 2,5x2,5, 4x4 and 5x5.
I never used the smaller one. Apart from squashes and gourds (if 'not direct seeded), I always use the 4x4, then I replant about 3 weeks later in 8x8x7(depth) pots, to then transplant a few weeks later.
There are some cheap offers, “kits”, that do well. I think I bought those three for about 60€. Then professionnal blockers cost more than 100€ each.
That is the offer I bought 2 years ago Kit de 3 Presse- Mottes tous usages
I am still happy with it. Will do all my plants using it.
I am quite sure you could find cheaper ones.
I never used the smallest one, but may it should be fine for lettuces and small plants at first stages…
Yes, that is what I found out. Doing the 5cm / four holes was taking a lot of time, and a lot of soil. Maybe for winter or plants that will stay a lot of time on the seed trays is worth it. If I am doing bulk stuff I need another solution.
Yes, for “bulk” transplanting is much more economical in terms of soil.
For everything else, on my own scale I am mainly considering self-construction which I captured above. After having practiced a lot with the professional manual seeder, I find that it solves its main problems and provides more ergonomics (if the seeding table is well thought out, with a raised tray in particular).
