Greenhouse Seedlings 10/21/2011

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I finished transplanting the peat pot seedlings in the greenhouse a couple days ago, but had to wait until today to take the pictures because of lack of sunlight. When the cold front came through a couple days ago, not only did our temperatures take a nosedive and we received about 1" of rain, but the sun ducked under clouds. Today I was able to take some pictures. 

Seeds were planted in peat pots in July/August. Transplanting of the seedling peat pots to trade 1 gallon pots began on September 24, and because of my being slow and doctor''s appointments, etc., I did not finish until October 19.

As you walk in the door of the greenhouse, this bench is to the right. It is comprised of 4 4' x 10' benches for a total of 40'. Each 10' bench is also a water bed which is made from 2 x 4s and lined with plastic. There are 18 rows of 7 pots in each of the 4 beds for a total of 504 trade 1 gallon pots on each 44' bench. As the seedlings are transplanted, a small handful of Nutricote 18-6-8 180 day with minors was added to the pots. In addition, 2 tsp. of Bayer Tree and Shrub were sprinkled on the top to prevent fungus gnats, aphids, thrips, etc.  A weed pre-emergent was also sprinkled on the top. Yes, we do get weeds in the greenhouse.

As you walk in the door of the greenhouse, this bench is on the left side. As you can see, it is of the same configuration and size as the bench on the right side. Again, there are 18 rows of 7 pots in each of the 4 beds for a total of 504 trade 1 gallon pots on each 40' bench. This brings the total pots at this point to 1008.







This picture is taken from the back of the greenhouse looking toward the entrance door. There is one more 4' x 10' bench with 126 seedlings on it. As you walk in the dorr of the greenhouse, it is the bench on the left center. This bench is 30' long. I have used 10' and the remaining 20' will be for Jean to start her annuals and the neighbor to start his tomato and pepper plants.





There are 4 benches wide in my greenhouse, and the 4th bench will be used for my hybridizing plants. It is about 36' long and I can get 156 potted 3 gallon pots on it. If you look to the left side of the last image above, you will be able to see this bench.

All benches are set up also as water beds. Last year I grew all of the daylilies, both hybridizing plants and seedlings in the water beds. I would guess that I bloomed 40% of the 9 month seedlings.

So, if you have been counting, there are a total of 1134 seedlings growing in trade one gallon pots. These are all of the seedlings we will grow this year. It has just gotten too difficult for us to get down on our knees and plant seedlings in the ground. In the past, we have grown up to 5000 seedlings . . . no more! Again, if you are counting, this is approximately 80% fewer seedlings than just a couple years ago.

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Life is very, very good.

Lee