Great video. I love Bootstrap Farmer stuff! I grow on a very small scale, so sometimes I only need half a tray of something or whatever, and I don’t love putting different plants in the same tray because they often have different growing rates, etc. so I bought the bootstrap farmer 6-cell plug tray inserts. They have similar air pruning benefits and 12 fit perfectly in a 1020 bottom tray to give me a 72 plug tray. The main issue I have is that it makes watering a bit more of a pain because I have to lift every little 6-cell insert out before dumping the excess water out. But since I don’t grow a ton, it isn’t too bad.
I love this work-around! I hadn't thought about using the 6-cell inserts before but I can see how this would be beneficial- especially to keep your plant varieties separate :)
I'm using the Bootstrap Farmer air prune trays exclusively this year. There is no comparison in the strength of the root system. And the trays are incredibly strong
I have slowly purchased the Boot Strap trays. They are a great investment. I grow about 80 flats of flowers throughout the season and these hold up great! I think I have about 20 cheap ones that I'm still using.
@@masonvonnahme1665 well I use those smaller 6 cell counts for things that I only plant 6 of like perennials or grasses. Then you can put them in a 1020 tray. Once they germinate you can move them to another 1020 tray and keep the rest under the heat mat and humidity dome. I mostly use the 72 count cell trays(not the air prune) for when planting everything else like gomphrena, zinnias, celosia etc. Most seedlings germinate at different times.Plus some seeds need darkness, some light, some heat, some cold stratify so I would never put them in the 72 count tray. Sometimes even if you use the 6 count tray, they could grow in different conditions so the 6 count might not work. I tend to only plant one type of seed in each 72 count tray. You could put different colors in the tray but not different seeds varieties. As far as labeling, it's important to keep things straight. I use those white plastic 3 inch tags and use Arline garden marker. Sharpies just don't last when you put the plants out in the sun. I usually grow over 50 72 count cell trays so it's important to keep myself organized. I started out with cheap cell trays from Walmart and where ever and each year I bought more and more trays from Bootstrap as I could afford it. In the long run, it's totally worth it. As I've had those cheapy ones break when I move them.
Your videos have inspired me to add a cut flower section to my garden this year. We have a short growing season, so I plan to start them inside under lights about 6-8 weeks ahead. Will a 32 cell tray be large enough to hold the seedlings for 8 weeks, or would you recommend I use something larger? I plan to grow Zinnias, Marigolds, Calendulas, Daisies, Salvia etc.)
Good for you! It's always exciting to add flowers into the garden :) In my experience, a 32 cell tray will be plenty of room to hold your seedlings- though I'd recommend checking the back of your seed packets for quick reference- zinnias and marigolds specifically are fast growing and shouldn't need more than 4-6 weeks of growth in trays. Best of luck!
Great great video. I'm in my second year and I bought all 72 trays and the mini soil blockerl. Between the two they are serving me very well but my 72 trays are very cheap😢
I have plenty less expensive trays myself- and they truly can work great! It sounds like you have all the right supplies to grow some really beautiful flowers 💛
Helpful to those of us who are starting to experiment with seed trays and discovering all the different kinds that exist.
That's great to hear! Wishing you great luck with your own seed starting!
Thank you so much for this video! Great job demonstrating and explaining the differences.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video. I love Bootstrap Farmer stuff! I grow on a very small scale, so sometimes I only need half a tray of something or whatever, and I don’t love putting different plants in the same tray because they often have different growing rates, etc. so I bought the bootstrap farmer 6-cell plug tray inserts. They have similar air pruning benefits and 12 fit perfectly in a 1020 bottom tray to give me a 72 plug tray. The main issue I have is that it makes watering a bit more of a pain because I have to lift every little 6-cell insert out before dumping the excess water out. But since I don’t grow a ton, it isn’t too bad.
I love this work-around! I hadn't thought about using the 6-cell inserts before but I can see how this would be beneficial- especially to keep your plant varieties separate :)
Such a useful video. Thanks for sharing the rationale behind why certain sizes and styles!
You are so welcome! Glad the content was helpful!
I'm using the Bootstrap Farmer air prune trays exclusively this year. There is no comparison in the strength of the root system. And the trays are incredibly strong
That’s great to hear! I am liking them myself so far ✨😀
This is a great video! I’m just starting in the seed starting arena and you have provided amazing info. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful! Best of luck to you with your seed starting:)
I have slowly purchased the Boot Strap trays. They are a great investment. I grow about 80 flats of flowers throughout the season and these hold up great! I think I have about 20 cheap ones that I'm still using.
I love hearing how much other growers enjoy Bootstrap Farmer! Their products really are top notch 😀
Which cell trays do you use? First time flower grower and looking at the 6 cell multi colors to keep things labeled easier
@@masonvonnahme1665 well I use those smaller 6 cell counts for things that I only plant 6 of like perennials or grasses. Then you can put them in a 1020 tray. Once they germinate you can move them to another 1020 tray and keep the rest under the heat mat and humidity dome. I mostly use the 72 count cell trays(not the air prune) for when planting everything else like gomphrena, zinnias, celosia etc. Most seedlings germinate at different times.Plus some seeds need darkness, some light, some heat, some cold stratify so I would never put them in the 72 count tray. Sometimes even if you use the 6 count tray, they could grow in different conditions so the 6 count might not work. I tend to only plant one type of seed in each 72 count tray. You could put different colors in the tray but not different seeds varieties. As far as labeling, it's important to keep things straight. I use those white plastic 3 inch tags and use Arline garden marker. Sharpies just don't last when you put the plants out in the sun. I usually grow over 50 72 count cell trays so it's important to keep myself organized. I started out with cheap cell trays from Walmart and where ever and each year I bought more and more trays from Bootstrap as I could afford it. In the long run, it's totally worth it. As I've had those cheapy ones break when I move them.
What kind of soil mixture do you use? Potting soil?
Your videos have inspired me to add a cut flower section to my garden this year. We have a short growing season, so I plan to start them inside under lights about 6-8 weeks ahead. Will a 32 cell tray be large enough to hold the seedlings for 8 weeks, or would you recommend I use something larger? I plan to grow Zinnias, Marigolds, Calendulas, Daisies, Salvia etc.)
Good for you! It's always exciting to add flowers into the garden :) In my experience, a 32 cell tray will be plenty of room to hold your seedlings- though I'd recommend checking the back of your seed packets for quick reference- zinnias and marigolds specifically are fast growing and shouldn't need more than 4-6 weeks of growth in trays. Best of luck!
Great great video. I'm in my second year and I bought all 72 trays and the mini soil blockerl. Between the two they are serving me very well but my 72 trays are very cheap😢
I have plenty less expensive trays myself- and they truly can work great! It sounds like you have all the right supplies to grow some really beautiful flowers 💛