RE: Impatiens capensis

	Joshua Ben David wrote:
		By "market packs" do you mean the clear, flimsy plastic
boxes that
	tomatoes, grapes, and other fruits are sold in?
Mine are rectangular packs (approx. 4"x6"), gray or black and fairly
sturdy.  Nevertheless, I'm sure that the retail trend is for less
expensive containers.  For most seeds I prefer a deeper container (2")
as the roots of seedlings often develop before the true leaves.  We
occasionally order these packs from greenhouse suppliers however, many
gardeners are happy to find a good home for them. Clear ones would make
good mini greenhouses, the translucence diffusing the light and the
holes allowing for some escape of excess heat.

Panty hose is one of my new favorite tools.  Yes, it's air and water
permeable.  It also makes cheap and easy staking material for trees and
works beautifully for covering unripe seed on a plant for future
collection (May I strongly recommend using white hose for faster
identification after seeds are ripe.  Scrambling about in freshly fallen
leaf litter searching for small plants sporting fashionable tan hose is
an exercise in futility!).  For covering seeds, the toe end is the filet
mignon of the hose.  Therefore, I cut the rest of the hose into sections
of whatever length I need, roll one end slightly and sew a few stitches
into it.  I can then slip this "stocking" over the seeds and tie thread
around the bottom to secure it.

> ----------
> From: 	Joshua Ben David[SMTP:b_david2@netvision.net.il]
> Sent: 	Wednesday, November 11, 1998 1:49 PM
> To: 	seeds-list@eskimo.com
> Subject: 	Re: Impatiens capensis
> 
> Judy Sullivan wrote:
> 
> > fresh seed sown in buried flats out of doors and covered with
> > water permeable material (slipping the market packs in large panty
> hose
> > before burying to top of pack allowed air and water circulation
> without
> > allowing contamination by dispersed seeds).
> 
> 
> 
> I have used these successfully as mini greenhouses for some time. I
> place
> small pots or peat cubes in one box, then place another box
> upside-down on
> top. I fasten the two together with spring clips from an office-supply
> store.
> 
> Currently I have rooted cuttings of myrtles (myrtus communis) in these
> boxes, and am starting my autumn seeds in this way.
> 
> The idea of using panty hose as a shade/protection cover for these is
> interesting. My guess is that the elastic fabric would stabilize the
> rather
> flimsy plastic, as well. If I slip a single plastic pack into a
> stocking
> leg, without a cover, can I water through the mesh?
> 
> Joshua
>
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index