I hate having to transplant plants when they're still that babyish, but I'm afraid that if I don't transplant my TINY gypsophila seedlings now, they'll just rot and die :C So I'll do it today! Cuz you did it and it turned out fine =D If it doesn't work ...
Thank you for another GREAT 'how to' video. I think you answered a question I had been thinking about...with south exposure ( Wisconsin) is it a good idea to move my 2" tomato & pepper plants from the tube grow lights to the SUNLIGHT. Is the sunlight stronger? Thank you again, Ray.
@dkulikowski Sunlight coming in through a window is always better than artificial light. It's full spectrum and stronger. What I do is leave plants under the lights unless it's a sunny day. Then I toss them in front of the window for as long as the sun's out. I turn off the light during this time and let the plants enjoy the free sunshine.
ive got a question. I have a jalapeano plant and a bananna pepper plant that sprouted great ! They are about 2 inches tall. But it seems like they have stopped growing completly . very healthy looking but I see no true leaves yet. Its been at least 5 days since they fully sprouted. I have them in a humidity dome. am I just being impatient (first grow ever) or am I doing somthing wrong? They are under 16-18 hrs light and 8-6 dark. using compaq flourecent.
@believerintheword I don't think a humidity dome is needed. The plant can easily live in normal humidity. Also the soil needs to be allowed to slightly dry between waterings to help promote root growth. Strong roots are the foundation to a strong plant. Let the soil slightly dry, remove the humidity done, keep the lights very close to the plants and I'm sure the plant will kick into gear. No need to worry at all. :)
@EyeLoveLetters You have a very good point. I use clear cups so I can see when the roots start to push against the sides of the cup. That tells me it's time to transplant into a regular pot. They're not exposed to sunlight for more than a few days so no harm. I do it this way because with solid color cups I had issues with rootbound plants. It's a preference I guess. :)
@Praxxus55712 Cool man, Was just wondering you're an inspiration to the horticulture world. Keep safe in the new year, and most of all keep doing what you do.
@fishfanatic100 Guinea pig droppings can be used without composting. They're great for compost, adding straight to soil or for manure tea. You shouldn't use fertilizers until your plants are at least 4-5 inches tall minimum. And sooner and it's pretty much a waste and can even harm the plant.
I am new to gardening, and used this video earlier this year to help me transplant my pepper (and tomato) starts. They are doing wonderfully! Thank you for the great tutorial!
hello. is it ok to cut off the first set of the starting leaves? not the true leaves but the first ones that came out. not sure if that made sense, but any help is appreciated. thank you.
@GardenNewbie Moose droppings are very good for composting. Some people don't like using wild animal droppings due to fears of disease, but I'm not one of them. My opinion is to go for it. They're high in notrogen and other good stuff. I have deer everywhere here and their droppings cause my lawn to grow extra green and strong in the areas where they leave piles of nuggets.
@TheBoscoBailey It's probably better to have holes in the cups but I prefer no holes. I'm comfortable enough with how I water that I don't worry about overwatering. It takes practice.
This was a great video. I have 3 or 4 peppers growing in little pots right now. If I can only figure out how to keep eggplant seedlings alive I'll be a happy girl!
Hey Ray, Is around 73 degrees a good temp to start pepper seedlings indoors? I want to start your seeds but I'm hesitant because I don't have a heat mat. I plan to soak them in a moist paper towel. Do you have any experience with that method?
@Juicestain813 I've heard from a viewer who started their seeds in a damp paper towel. Sounds like a good idea. If 73 degrees is as warm as you can get it, then go for it. They sprout faster in hotter conditions, but they will probably sprout fine at 73 degrees. It'll just take a bit longer. No problem. :)
@Juicestain813 Last year I couldn't heat my seedlings and they grew in 60 degree basement under grow lights. This year I am in a new house and am able to heat a small room to 80 degrees and they started about 4 times faster (5 days versus 20+ days last year) and they're already progressing much faster than last year. The warmer the better!
@BreakfastBentoBox It doesn't bother my plants at all when the roots are exposed to light. It's not for long though. Once the roots start showing, that means it's transplant time. :)
nice channel bumped into it by accident so i subbed :).
this year its going to be my 1st experience ever growing vegetables. got a medium size raised bed ( i think thats what they call them ;) ), so i cant wait to plant vegs in the city :). i am already learning loads from you so i am going back to watched more of your older videos.
I like the clear cups Ray! I do have one serious question. Say the economy went south in a bad way and prices of stuff like like basic potting soil went sky high, what would be the cheapest way to grow stuff without the potting soil you are always growing starts in if say you didn't have much land at all to start with? I guess like a Mad Max scenario. If you lived in an apartment under those conditions, how would you grow your food? I'm not a survivalist but it does cross one's mind.
Wild rabbit manure is not a good ideal because wild rabbits can have disease rabies and other stuff. I would never hurt any animals i love them but rabbits are very destructive pest if you ask me they ate all my water melon and cantalope seedlings i planted I was hot about it.
Since starting my seeding this winter I'm having a problem with those blasted little gnats. Where do they come from? I say the store bought potting mix but my husband said from fruit from the store? How do we rid of them?
@ceahorse56 I got fungus gnats from the organic potting soil I purchased. The larvae were in the coil and hatched into adults, which laid more eggs and increased the problem. Sticky traps can help. You can find those at garden centers or online. There are many organic methods as well as non organic.
@SpinFuji That's an excellent question! I would bury it deep. Even with a determinate variety, you will need a more extensive and deep-reaching root system to feed all of the fruit the plant will set.
I am doing some digging this weekend. Aaah! Can't wait! Thank you for the seeds. Also, question: Anyone have any advice on detouring the pair of racoons that invade my fenced suburbian backyard every night?
I have tons of roots growing out of the bottom of my plastic cups at the moment, but my solution to every growing problem is watering! (oops!) It is nice to water the entire window-box by watering 5 quick spots though! Extracting the roots might be a problem later, but at least my plants are still alive : )
@jermee2001 It's a very good idea to poke holes in the bottoms. I personally never do. I have a good knack for not overwatering, so I'm ok with it. I definitely don't suggest others not poke holes for drainage.
@theracemixer It's almost impossible to diagnose a problem without knowing all of the variables, but overwatering is the biggest killer of garden plants. I would cut off the water until the soil dried out. Then just keep it BARELY moist. If roots are kept too wet, they die and the plant slowly dies of starvation/thirst because it has no way of drinking.
God, I have no idea how you endure those winters. I'm in southern Virginia and I feel like I'm in prison... Guess I was just spoiled from growing up in Florida.
@roxtar10870 I can endure cold easier than heat. It seems most areas have an extreme in one of those. I absolutely HATE sweating. It is a creepy feeling for me.
interesting what you said about the peat pots...when I was putting my stuff in the ground that thought crossed my mind this weekend, it seemed to me like a lot of water/energy would be required to break them down. It's my first season, so I put everything in those, but I might do a test in my beds, some with and some without, just to see...
I'm glad you said that tomatoes and peppers can be planted closer together than other plants. Last year people told me that I had too many peppers too close together (hot peppers) but I wanted them that way and they did just fine, to me. ~Amanda
Okay....going to share a really good secret about peppers for everyone. There really is a secret to it.
When the pods are collected, place them in a place with the seeds intact and let them ferment. After the pods have softened and decomposed a bit....(yes, sort of nasty but necessary) then separate out the seeds and place on a paper towel to complete the drying process. Now they are ready to store or plant.
@jimhuntermj21 Sometimes it's best to start in a smaller pot so you can heat it up easier with your heat mat or some other light source. I find that during the winter, i can germinate my peppers in 4 or 5 days when starting them in peat pellets and putting them on my heat mat. They would take 2 weeks or more otherwise.
First time caller, long time listener... These are my favorite videos too (plant related). Of course, I always love your animal videos too. How are your animals?
I cannot, for the life of me, get the peppers to germinate. I saw a video recently where a lady put her seeds in small pots inside a freezer bag with little holes poked in it, watered, zipped up, and set on time of her heater vents on the floor. I'm going to try this. My heating pad won't work - any other ideas?
@mrsjabrown If the heating vent goes on and off in cycles, it might do more harm than good. One easy method is to put a towel on top of your fridge to keep the seed pots from touching cold metal. Keep them covered and moist. The heat in your house is usually concentrated in the top third of your room and more than likely warmer around the top of your fridge than anywhere else. Give them time. Sometimes they take up to 2 weeks or more. Barely moist but not wet. Good luck! :)
hey! i love the video! its been a long time since ive seen a praxxus video done after my video on how to do something. usually i do it after i see you do it, i wasnt crazy! i planted my pepper plants deep in my video, i got a couple people saying i didn't know what i was talking about, well hah! i must, becasue you do it too! anywho, great video, and i am antisipaiting more! keep um comin ray!
Did you know Mr GreenJeans was Captain Kangaroo's side kick on his show? Watched it as a kid....hated the show....it was too weird to suit me even as a child.
Ray have you ever heard of gooseberrys? god i love them, we grow them here in chicago, there like a prickly grape vine and the fruit is just amazing, you can pretty much eat them while there green for more of a sour taste or let them turn purple for more of a sweet taste, or in Between!! there just great, and i bet you can make jams or w.e out of them, lol and they come back every spring so there pretty amazing :P
the jalapeno seeds you sent me are all outside perks of living in Northern California also after watching the bhut jolokia pepper video i think its smart to invest in toilets all those melted porcelain toilets its a sure win investment lol
loved your idea with the cups - i got green ones that were on sale for st. patty's day at party city. so while i was wandering the isles of party city i found aluminum lasagna trays - they were 2 for$2 & the clear tops are taller than the plastic jiffy seed starter - WAY cheaper than the seed starters even at the cheaper home depot stores & the foil gives added light reflection. set up the warming pad & light & we're cooking - not lasagna though
Just had a rain here in NE Ohio that melted all the snow. Spring is coming just in time because I have a terrible case of cabin fever, and I can tell that you do too.
@julzbo The only manure I've ever used is cow and chicken, so I really don't know. In the future I MIGHT be adding a couple farm animals to my collection so I'll research it more and let you know, ok? :)
I must be doing something wrong. Peppers are hard to keep alive & frustrate me the most. Every year i try to grow them and they fail from weather problems. I need a green house. Everything else works.
@Altamonte104 Very observant! lol I never have holes in my cups. I move them around alot from under the lights to windowsills. I don't want to deal with tiny water catchers or trays under them so I forego the holes. I make very certain that I don't overwater them. It's something I've gotten pretty good at.
@Altamonte104 I noticed that too. I heated a metal bolt with a propane torch and melted holes in mine. I figured melting holes would make them last longer over poking holes in them, which would eventually cause them to crack. I'm really cheap and want mine to last for a long time, many seasons.
@billyboy4 I planted the peppers the first week of February. I didn't have them directly under the lighting until recently though. I started my tomatoes a couple weeks later. In my area, we're supposed to start out seeds indoors approximately 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Mine are over 90 days before the last frost. I want a huge head start for my babies. :)
The peat pots don't draw a whole lot of nitrogen when they decompose. Mostly, it's your green matter that does that. A great way to let your plants get to that extra nutrients in the soil right away, without disturbing the roots is to just tear off the bottom of the peat pot. The roots will start growing down quicker (path of least resistance) and by the time the pot starts to really decompose, the plant will already have roots well beyond the pot. It's worked for me anyways!
@Praxxus55712 We all love it when you're difficult Ray! LOL. If it weren't for you and your difficult ways, I'd have a third of the tomatoes I get from the "Praxxus Method". (BTW, the peppers you sent me from the seed exchange have germinated, and are doing great!! Thank you)
@stymye Most definitely good advice. I do use soil-less mix and it's worked great! I don't have a lot of experience starting plants from seeds though, so your advice is both appreciated, and reassuring. (In the comment I left, I meant the soil in your garden when you transplant outside. Sometimes I'm really bad at making sense when I write! LOL)
Newspapers have a very high carbon to nitrogen ratio, they don't decompose fast and don't take away too much nitrogen. The roots easily break through and pretty much shred the paper.
You got interrupted by that bug. Can you tell us what happens if we just left the fallen leaves in the soil. Wouldn't they decompose and add nutrients to the soil? wouldn't it add nitrogen to the soil?
@GetDamage Decomposing matter draws up the nitrogen in the soil for a short while until it is finished. Then it releases it back and more into the soil. That doesn't help your plant in the interim when it's low on nitrogen unless you even the playing field by pouring on fertilizer or compost tea.
I would like to know about peat pots decomposing in the soil too. Maybe I will see what I can find out on the web. I have bought Bonnie Bell plants already in the peat pots and they seem to have grown alright . Since I have started a lot of my plants in these, seems worth investigating. Do you poke holes in the bottom of your cups?
@NWOIS666 I've always done it that way too. But then recently I started wondering ifit would be better to skip the peat pot and see if there would be a difference. This year will be my very first using absolutely no peat pots.
@NWOIS666 Yes, I always tear the bottom and part of the top off too, (to keep from wicking) didn't know if I was supposed to, but glad to know other people do the same thing. Just seems easier on the plant not to have to wait for the pot to break down.
Hey Ray! I was wondering when you were going to do another video. As I look over at my pineapple plant a thought crossed my mind. If I water it with coconut milk would I grow a pina coloda. Lol sorry, just kidding.
I hate having to transplant plants when they're still that babyish, but I'm afraid that if I don't transplant my TINY gypsophila seedlings now, they'll just rot and die :C So I'll do it today! Cuz you did it and it turned out fine =D If it doesn't work ...
I'll sue you! XD
Nah, I kid.
CandyCrayon91 5 days ago
Does this work for eggplants?
RaRaRyan1997 5 days ago
@RaRaRyan1997 It sure does! :)
Praxxus55712 5 days ago
hey ray was the frankin tomato plant succesfull
9dudedood 1 week ago
@9dudedood It grew crazy amounts of stems and produced more tomatoes than I could eat. The turkeys and dogs loved the extras.
Praxxus55712 1 week ago
Thank you for another GREAT 'how to' video. I think you answered a question I had been thinking about...with south exposure ( Wisconsin) is it a good idea to move my 2" tomato & pepper plants from the tube grow lights to the SUNLIGHT. Is the sunlight stronger? Thank you again, Ray.
dkulikowski 2 weeks ago
@dkulikowski Sunlight coming in through a window is always better than artificial light. It's full spectrum and stronger. What I do is leave plants under the lights unless it's a sunny day. Then I toss them in front of the window for as long as the sun's out. I turn off the light during this time and let the plants enjoy the free sunshine.
Praxxus55712 2 weeks ago
Hey, do you poke any holes anywhere on the cups for drainage??? Thanks!
JustLouIt 1 month ago
@JustLouIt No holes. I prefer to not have holes due to having to put saucers under them. I just water sparingly and they do fine.
Praxxus55712 1 month ago
ive got a question. I have a jalapeano plant and a bananna pepper plant that sprouted great ! They are about 2 inches tall. But it seems like they have stopped growing completly . very healthy looking but I see no true leaves yet. Its been at least 5 days since they fully sprouted. I have them in a humidity dome. am I just being impatient (first grow ever) or am I doing somthing wrong? They are under 16-18 hrs light and 8-6 dark. using compaq flourecent.
believerintheword 2 months ago
@believerintheword I don't think a humidity dome is needed. The plant can easily live in normal humidity. Also the soil needs to be allowed to slightly dry between waterings to help promote root growth. Strong roots are the foundation to a strong plant. Let the soil slightly dry, remove the humidity done, keep the lights very close to the plants and I'm sure the plant will kick into gear. No need to worry at all. :)
Praxxus55712 2 months ago
Roots don't like light exposure right, Wouldn't the clear cups potentially stress or stunt a plants growth depending on how long you keep them there?
EyeLoveLetters 2 months ago
@EyeLoveLetters You have a very good point. I use clear cups so I can see when the roots start to push against the sides of the cup. That tells me it's time to transplant into a regular pot. They're not exposed to sunlight for more than a few days so no harm. I do it this way because with solid color cups I had issues with rootbound plants. It's a preference I guess. :)
Praxxus55712 2 months ago
@Praxxus55712 Cool man, Was just wondering you're an inspiration to the horticulture world. Keep safe in the new year, and most of all keep doing what you do.
EyeLoveLetters 2 months ago
Can I use Guinea pig droppings instead of rabbit and how old do the plants have to be to use it?
fishfanatic100 2 months ago
@fishfanatic100 Guinea pig droppings can be used without composting. They're great for compost, adding straight to soil or for manure tea. You shouldn't use fertilizers until your plants are at least 4-5 inches tall minimum. And sooner and it's pretty much a waste and can even harm the plant.
Praxxus55712 2 months ago
I am new to gardening, and used this video earlier this year to help me transplant my pepper (and tomato) starts. They are doing wonderfully! Thank you for the great tutorial!
silvermcadams 7 months ago
{{{ --> Professor Pepper <-- }}}
0369A9630 7 months ago
hello. is it ok to cut off the first set of the starting leaves? not the true leaves but the first ones that came out. not sure if that made sense, but any help is appreciated. thank you.
rccarfreak1 8 months ago
@rccarfreak1 I wouldn't cut off any leaves unless you're burying the stem and there are other leaves to take up the work.
Praxxus55712 8 months ago
I live in Newfoundland, Canada, there are alot of moose where we live, lol, yes moose. So in the woods the is alot of moose "pellets", lol.
Do you think they would be good to use as well ? Because ive heard not all animal droppings are safe to be using on food.
GardenNewbie 10 months ago
@GardenNewbie Moose droppings are very good for composting. Some people don't like using wild animal droppings due to fears of disease, but I'm not one of them. My opinion is to go for it. They're high in notrogen and other good stuff. I have deer everywhere here and their droppings cause my lawn to grow extra green and strong in the areas where they leave piles of nuggets.
Praxxus55712 10 months ago
Do you poke holes in the bottom of your cups? And I hate fungus knats... Wish I knew a way to avoid them!
TheBoscoBailey 10 months ago
@TheBoscoBailey It's probably better to have holes in the cups but I prefer no holes. I'm comfortable enough with how I water that I don't worry about overwatering. It takes practice.
Praxxus55712 10 months ago
"I mean...a rabbit can poop right on your plant and it's gonna help it"....lol...this is why I adore your videos!! :)
Dewhursm 10 months ago
Hi Ray,
This was a great video. I have 3 or 4 peppers growing in little pots right now. If I can only figure out how to keep eggplant seedlings alive I'll be a happy girl!
Kathe555 10 months ago
Happy St. Praxxus Day!
HaslarHouse 11 months ago
Hey Ray, Is around 73 degrees a good temp to start pepper seedlings indoors? I want to start your seeds but I'm hesitant because I don't have a heat mat. I plan to soak them in a moist paper towel. Do you have any experience with that method?
Juicestain813 11 months ago
@Juicestain813 I've heard from a viewer who started their seeds in a damp paper towel. Sounds like a good idea. If 73 degrees is as warm as you can get it, then go for it. They sprout faster in hotter conditions, but they will probably sprout fine at 73 degrees. It'll just take a bit longer. No problem. :)
Praxxus55712 11 months ago
@Juicestain813 Last year I couldn't heat my seedlings and they grew in 60 degree basement under grow lights. This year I am in a new house and am able to heat a small room to 80 degrees and they started about 4 times faster (5 days versus 20+ days last year) and they're already progressing much faster than last year. The warmer the better!
vengethis 11 months ago
Will you be my grandpa?
CodyUSAirmanATC 11 months ago
Is it bad to be able to see the roots; I mean if the roots are exposed to light, is it okay??
BreakfastBentoBox 11 months ago
@BreakfastBentoBox It doesn't bother my plants at all when the roots are exposed to light. It's not for long though. Once the roots start showing, that means it's transplant time. :)
Praxxus55712 11 months ago
i watched the whole thing scared for your safety, thinking the turkeys might bust in with guns blazing gor revenge or something.
richardland 11 months ago
nice channel bumped into it by accident so i subbed :).
this year its going to be my 1st experience ever growing vegetables. got a medium size raised bed ( i think thats what they call them ;) ), so i cant wait to plant vegs in the city :). i am already learning loads from you so i am going back to watched more of your older videos.
peace!
tehPunizher 11 months ago
I like the clear cups Ray! I do have one serious question. Say the economy went south in a bad way and prices of stuff like like basic potting soil went sky high, what would be the cheapest way to grow stuff without the potting soil you are always growing starts in if say you didn't have much land at all to start with? I guess like a Mad Max scenario. If you lived in an apartment under those conditions, how would you grow your food? I'm not a survivalist but it does cross one's mind.
mediamaker2000 11 months ago
Wild rabbit manure is not a good ideal because wild rabbits can have disease rabies and other stuff. I would never hurt any animals i love them but rabbits are very destructive pest if you ask me they ate all my water melon and cantalope seedlings i planted I was hot about it.
arkansastrash320 11 months ago
Since starting my seeding this winter I'm having a problem with those blasted little gnats. Where do they come from? I say the store bought potting mix but my husband said from fruit from the store? How do we rid of them?
ceahorse56 11 months ago
@ceahorse56 I got fungus gnats from the organic potting soil I purchased. The larvae were in the coil and hatched into adults, which laid more eggs and increased the problem. Sticky traps can help. You can find those at garden centers or online. There are many organic methods as well as non organic.
Praxxus55712 11 months ago
When I use peat pot last year the plants did not do well and even die. that’s why I did not buy any this year.
allotmentgirl100 11 months ago
for determinate tomato/ bush type tomato plant do we plant the stem deep?
SpinFuji 11 months ago
@SpinFuji That's an excellent question! I would bury it deep. Even with a determinate variety, you will need a more extensive and deep-reaching root system to feed all of the fruit the plant will set.
Praxxus55712 11 months ago
I am doing some digging this weekend. Aaah! Can't wait! Thank you for the seeds. Also, question: Anyone have any advice on detouring the pair of racoons that invade my fenced suburbian backyard every night?
livelearnfree 11 months ago
I have tons of roots growing out of the bottom of my plastic cups at the moment, but my solution to every growing problem is watering! (oops!) It is nice to water the entire window-box by watering 5 quick spots though! Extracting the roots might be a problem later, but at least my plants are still alive : )
Helioforge 11 months ago
I snaped one of mine when I was transplating and panicked and replanted it. LOLOL it worked. :)
crewlla 11 months ago
when u plant in the plastic cups to u put holes in the bottom of them??
jermee2001 11 months ago
@jermee2001 It's a very good idea to poke holes in the bottoms. I personally never do. I have a good knack for not overwatering, so I'm ok with it. I definitely don't suggest others not poke holes for drainage.
Praxxus55712 11 months ago
Ray there is plenty of water on my tomato plant tray but the leaves are drying up, Do you know why this maybe ?
theracemixer 1 year ago
@theracemixer It's almost impossible to diagnose a problem without knowing all of the variables, but overwatering is the biggest killer of garden plants. I would cut off the water until the soil dried out. Then just keep it BARELY moist. If roots are kept too wet, they die and the plant slowly dies of starvation/thirst because it has no way of drinking.
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
@Praxxus55712
I just finished removing the water from the tray, lets just hope they get better :)
theracemixer 1 year ago
God, I have no idea how you endure those winters. I'm in southern Virginia and I feel like I'm in prison... Guess I was just spoiled from growing up in Florida.
roxtar10870 1 year ago
@roxtar10870 I can endure cold easier than heat. It seems most areas have an extreme in one of those. I absolutely HATE sweating. It is a creepy feeling for me.
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
interesting what you said about the peat pots...when I was putting my stuff in the ground that thought crossed my mind this weekend, it seemed to me like a lot of water/energy would be required to break them down. It's my first season, so I put everything in those, but I might do a test in my beds, some with and some without, just to see...
Mike
RookieGardner 1 year ago
Nice vid!
culinarymajik 1 year ago
good video mr greenjeans. waves~~
crosspecans 1 year ago
so how old are the pepper plants since they sprouted?
chrisonfire420 1 year ago
@chrisonfire420 They were a couple weeks old when this was filmed
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
so how old are the pepper plants since they sprouted?
chrisonfire420 1 year ago
I'm glad you said that tomatoes and peppers can be planted closer together than other plants. Last year people told me that I had too many peppers too close together (hot peppers) but I wanted them that way and they did just fine, to me. ~Amanda
GettingThereGreen 1 year ago
Okay....going to share a really good secret about peppers for everyone. There really is a secret to it.
When the pods are collected, place them in a place with the seeds intact and let them ferment. After the pods have softened and decomposed a bit....(yes, sort of nasty but necessary) then separate out the seeds and place on a paper towel to complete the drying process. Now they are ready to store or plant.
Fermentation process improves germination!
22justus2 1 year ago
I have always wondered why people start in smaller pots. would'nt it be less work to just start them in a larger pot?
jimhuntermj21 1 year ago
@jimhuntermj21 This isn't work. This is FUN! :)
Praxxus55712 1 year ago 7
@jimhuntermj21 Sometimes it's best to start in a smaller pot so you can heat it up easier with your heat mat or some other light source. I find that during the winter, i can germinate my peppers in 4 or 5 days when starting them in peat pellets and putting them on my heat mat. They would take 2 weeks or more otherwise.
ASFx2600 1 year ago
good video ray!
jerrydff7 1 year ago
First time caller, long time listener... These are my favorite videos too (plant related). Of course, I always love your animal videos too. How are your animals?
I cannot, for the life of me, get the peppers to germinate. I saw a video recently where a lady put her seeds in small pots inside a freezer bag with little holes poked in it, watered, zipped up, and set on time of her heater vents on the floor. I'm going to try this. My heating pad won't work - any other ideas?
mrsjabrown 1 year ago
@mrsjabrown If the heating vent goes on and off in cycles, it might do more harm than good. One easy method is to put a towel on top of your fridge to keep the seed pots from touching cold metal. Keep them covered and moist. The heat in your house is usually concentrated in the top third of your room and more than likely warmer around the top of your fridge than anywhere else. Give them time. Sometimes they take up to 2 weeks or more. Barely moist but not wet. Good luck! :)
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
hey! i love the video! its been a long time since ive seen a praxxus video done after my video on how to do something. usually i do it after i see you do it, i wasnt crazy! i planted my pepper plants deep in my video, i got a couple people saying i didn't know what i was talking about, well hah! i must, becasue you do it too! anywho, great video, and i am antisipaiting more! keep um comin ray!
MIgardener 1 year ago
I miss the Green hair it matched your Mr.Green Jeans.I was wondering do you save your pepper plants year after year since they are perennials ?
mreastky 1 year ago
@mreastky
Did you know Mr GreenJeans was Captain Kangaroo's side kick on his show? Watched it as a kid....hated the show....it was too weird to suit me even as a child.
22justus2 1 year ago
@mreastky I've done it before, but it seems they bring in tiny bug pests with them no matter how hard I try to screen them.
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
Ray have you ever heard of gooseberrys? god i love them, we grow them here in chicago, there like a prickly grape vine and the fruit is just amazing, you can pretty much eat them while there green for more of a sour taste or let them turn purple for more of a sweet taste, or in Between!! there just great, and i bet you can make jams or w.e out of them, lol and they come back every spring so there pretty amazing :P
FluffyBalls009 1 year ago
the jalapeno seeds you sent me are all outside perks of living in Northern California also after watching the bhut jolokia pepper video i think its smart to invest in toilets all those melted porcelain toilets its a sure win investment lol
MajorRager76 1 year ago
loved your idea with the cups - i got green ones that were on sale for st. patty's day at party city. so while i was wandering the isles of party city i found aluminum lasagna trays - they were 2 for$2 & the clear tops are taller than the plastic jiffy seed starter - WAY cheaper than the seed starters even at the cheaper home depot stores & the foil gives added light reflection. set up the warming pad & light & we're cooking - not lasagna though
swoop1111 1 year ago
Get a set of rabbits Ray!
astrialkil 1 year ago
@astrialkil
Nay Nay...don't Ray....they're just something else to burn fuel and have to be taken care of.....trouble...I tell you ....trouble....LOL!
22justus2 1 year ago
Just had a rain here in NE Ohio that melted all the snow. Spring is coming just in time because I have a terrible case of cabin fever, and I can tell that you do too.
karl9x 1 year ago
Can you post more videos of your animals?
sshukri0 1 year ago
Thanks, Ray! Another great vid! What other manure is "not hot"?
julzbo 1 year ago
@julzbo The only manure I've ever used is cow and chicken, so I really don't know. In the future I MIGHT be adding a couple farm animals to my collection so I'll research it more and let you know, ok? :)
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
@julzbo it's best for any manure you use to "season" for a year,, you can get away without seasoned manure , but for best results,, be safe
stymye 11 months ago 2
I must be doing something wrong. Peppers are hard to keep alive & frustrate me the most. Every year i try to grow them and they fail from weather problems. I need a green house. Everything else works.
jasonmushersee 1 year ago
Only just really planted the seeds you sent me. a ton of peppers though! can't wait!
screwmanx 1 year ago
Hi... did I notice correctly that you do not have any holes in the bottom of your growing cups? Thoughts? Great videos... I use them with students!
Altamonte104 1 year ago
@Altamonte104 Very observant! lol I never have holes in my cups. I move them around alot from under the lights to windowsills. I don't want to deal with tiny water catchers or trays under them so I forego the holes. I make very certain that I don't overwater them. It's something I've gotten pretty good at.
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
@Altamonte104 I noticed that too. I heated a metal bolt with a propane torch and melted holes in mine. I figured melting holes would make them last longer over poking holes in them, which would eventually cause them to crack. I'm really cheap and want mine to last for a long time, many seasons.
barkulator 1 year ago
I just recently started my bell and hot peppers, gonna be transplanting soon. What are your thoughts on peat pots?
Also, which kind(s) of pepper was that? how much earlier did you start them compared to your tomato plants?
billyboy4 1 year ago
@billyboy4 I planted the peppers the first week of February. I didn't have them directly under the lighting until recently though. I started my tomatoes a couple weeks later. In my area, we're supposed to start out seeds indoors approximately 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Mine are over 90 days before the last frost. I want a huge head start for my babies. :)
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
The peat pots don't draw a whole lot of nitrogen when they decompose. Mostly, it's your green matter that does that. A great way to let your plants get to that extra nutrients in the soil right away, without disturbing the roots is to just tear off the bottom of the peat pot. The roots will start growing down quicker (path of least resistance) and by the time the pot starts to really decompose, the plant will already have roots well beyond the pot. It's worked for me anyways!
winnipeguy75 1 year ago
@winnipeguy75 Excellent tip! I've never had a big problem with peat pots either. I'm just trying alternatives just to be difficult. lol
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
@Praxxus55712 We all love it when you're difficult Ray! LOL. If it weren't for you and your difficult ways, I'd have a third of the tomatoes I get from the "Praxxus Method". (BTW, the peppers you sent me from the seed exchange have germinated, and are doing great!! Thank you)
winnipeguy75 1 year ago
@winnipeguy75 for germinating I would highly recommend a soil-less potting mix over "soil".... try it , you will almost guarantee better results.
stymye 11 months ago
@stymye Most definitely good advice. I do use soil-less mix and it's worked great! I don't have a lot of experience starting plants from seeds though, so your advice is both appreciated, and reassuring. (In the comment I left, I meant the soil in your garden when you transplant outside. Sometimes I'm really bad at making sense when I write! LOL)
winnipeguy75 11 months ago
Great video as always Ray!!!
Futuregardener123 1 year ago
@Futuregardener123 Cheers mate!! :)
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
Newspapers have a very high carbon to nitrogen ratio, they don't decompose fast and don't take away too much nitrogen. The roots easily break through and pretty much shred the paper.
HomeworkHelper1 1 year ago
You got interrupted by that bug. Can you tell us what happens if we just left the fallen leaves in the soil. Wouldn't they decompose and add nutrients to the soil? wouldn't it add nitrogen to the soil?
GetDamage 1 year ago
@GetDamage Decomposing matter draws up the nitrogen in the soil for a short while until it is finished. Then it releases it back and more into the soil. That doesn't help your plant in the interim when it's low on nitrogen unless you even the playing field by pouring on fertilizer or compost tea.
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
Thanks for the rabbit pellet suggestion. I've got a Flemish Giant that makes enough manure for several rabbits! And now I can actually use it!
NadiaBKat167 1 year ago
@NadiaBKat167 Those are big pooping cuddly monsters! :)
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
I've been experimenting with seeds in a cold frame and so far very slow. I think I need to build A grow light. I'm in NY . Thanks for the vid Ray.
jsbattlenet 1 year ago
I've been experimenting with seeds in a cold frame and so far very slow. I think I need to build A grow light. Thanks for the vid Ray.
jsbattlenet 1 year ago
I would like to know about peat pots decomposing in the soil too. Maybe I will see what I can find out on the web. I have bought Bonnie Bell plants already in the peat pots and they seem to have grown alright . Since I have started a lot of my plants in these, seems worth investigating. Do you poke holes in the bottom of your cups?
loislaney23 1 year ago
@loislaney23 I also use peat pots and when it is time to transplant, I usually tear the bottom off and loosen the roots a bit then transplant.
NWOIS666 1 year ago
@NWOIS666 I've always done it that way too. But then recently I started wondering ifit would be better to skip the peat pot and see if there would be a difference. This year will be my very first using absolutely no peat pots.
Praxxus55712 1 year ago
@NWOIS666 Yes, I always tear the bottom and part of the top off too, (to keep from wicking) didn't know if I was supposed to, but glad to know other people do the same thing. Just seems easier on the plant not to have to wait for the pot to break down.
loislaney23 1 year ago
my room smells like potting soil too :P i love it, makes me excited for spring.
GodShrimp 1 year ago
Hey Ray! I was wondering when you were going to do another video. As I look over at my pineapple plant a thought crossed my mind. If I water it with coconut milk would I grow a pina coloda. Lol sorry, just kidding.
Backyardhomesteader 1 year ago
I hope they get monster huge
preparedchipmunk 1 year ago