Seed germination and soil blocks

14 years ago

I read a great post that recommended using a weak tea solution with pepper seeds in a folded paper towel refrigerated 24 hours and then set in a warm dark place. Well, I gave it a try, and my old seeds woke up. I had around 90% of the seeds sprout. I did not have even one of these seeds germinate on a previous attempt using a plain tap water dampened paper towel in a baggie for over a month. Is this just a fluke, or is the weak tea and 24 hour refrigerator exposure method really that good? These were cayenne pepper seeds from around 2008.

Also, is anyone using soil blocks for seedlings? I just made a block mold and I'm working on a suitable mix. If you have one that works for peppers, I'd like to try it.

So far, I have some blood meal, mineral rock dust, sifted peat, fine compost, green sand, and some lime (for PH)and some perolite to finish it off. The soil block form is simply a short piece of 3" PVC pipe with a plunger. The shaft is some 3/8" threaded stock with about 1/2" of the shaft extending through a plywood disc (cut with a hole saw) to produce a small hole in the center of the soil block for the seedling. You just push the plunger to force out the block after the soil mix is packed into the pipe, and out comes a 3" tall soil block ready for use. It's kind of crude, but when I saw that a 3 or 4 inch soil block mold is selling for around $90 on the internet, I checked YouTube and found several nice videos of folks who made their own earth block forms using PVC pipe. I did however order a 1-1/2" mold that makes 5 small blocks at a time for around $30. They can be found on eBay. chuck

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Comments (10)

esox07 (4b) Wisconsin
14 years ago
I can't picture this thing. Can you post a photo or maybe a link to the Youtube videos.
Bruce
Rusty
14 years ago
I have never used them but i looked into it and it sounds interesting thats for sure. i found an older post about them click on the link below

Here is a link that might be useful: Some thooughts about Soil Block Makers
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chuck
Original Author
14 years ago
I have some pictures that shows the soil block form s I made using some 3 inch PVC pipe, a 3 inch circle of thin plywood, and a 8 inch piece of 3/8 threaded stock. The hole in the plywood was drilled tight so that the plywood disk could be screwed ontp the threded stock with a 3/8 nut backing it up. Enough was left protruding through the disk to produce a hole in the top of the casting. Once the mix is packed into the pipe, push down on the 3/8 shaft to force the soil out.

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greencubes
14 years ago
Hi Folks. A great video on germination pepper seeds in soil blocks is from Potting Blocks Co, the soil block maker tool guy. They also have a complete soil block maker DIY to make the one pictured above. See www.pottingblocks.com/soil_blocker_diy.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Germinating Peppers in Soil Blocks.
esox07 (4b) Wisconsin
14 years ago
How do you water those things without them falling apart.

Bruce
tsheets
14 years ago
From what I can pick up - bottom watering with a wicking mat. Or a wick in the block when you press it and the wick soaks up the water from the bottom. That or misting like the produce dept at the grocery store.
esox07 (4b) Wisconsin
14 years ago
Just seems to me they would fall apart after a while no matter how careful you were with watering them. Just the roots growing would seem to break them apart some. But guess I wont know unless I try them some time.
Bruce
tsheets
14 years ago
It sure is a different way to think about things. I mean, there is so much emphasis on good drainage / aeration, and then you go and use the 'fine' mix and press it into a brick. To my simple mind it seems that the two concepts are polar opposites. It would be fun to play with, though.
esox07 (4b) Wisconsin
14 years ago
Has anyone on this list actually grown with soil blocks before? I could see if you used some kind of netting, kind of like those peat pellets that have a thin mesh around the pellet.
Bruce
greencubes
14 years ago
Yes, Bruce, I have. I have created the information website PottingBlocks.com 'The world's resource for soil block agriculture'. Testimonies, live help, resources, soil block maker tools and soil blocking supplies, and how-to videos. We don't use any other method. You just have to try them to believe in them if you're feeling skeptical!

Here is a link that might be useful: Soil Block Maker Tool