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| I got a 72 cell non self watering seed starting kit. What's is a good material to use as a wicking material? I was thinking of just folding a cotton shirt and putting the 72 cell on top of it with water filled at the bottom. Could I use paper towels as a wicking material? |
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| Well they sell wicking material at most greenhouse supply stores online but a cheap substitute is anything cotton, small towels, pieces of felt, loops of cotton clothes line. The t-shirt should work as good as most anything. The main problem I have found with wicking is you have to monitor it closely at first and make adjustments in the amount of it to keep the soil from getting too wet. I rigged up several trays a few years back when an out-of-town emergency came up and cam home a few days later to drowned plants. As long as there is water the material will wick it up whether the plants need it or not. Dave |
Here is a link that might be useful: wicking material discussions and links
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| Hmm, my seed starting mix contains 50% potting soil, 25% Coconut Coir, and 25% Vermiculite. Will that retain too much water and drown my plants? |
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| Depends on exactly what you mean by "potting soil". If it actually contains soil then it is definitely to water retentive. Only soil-less potting mixes are recommended for use in containers. If it is actually a soil-less potting mix, which is a very different thing from potting soil, then it should work fine. But I can't tell what the effects of adding the other ingredients to it will be. You'll have to do some experimenting with your set-up to see. Seeds, while germinating, and young seedlings need to be kept lightly damp/moist, not soaking wet. Soaking wet or standing in water rots seeds and drowns young roots. Dave |
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