I use them all the time, to avoid the roots pruning themselves I simply cut the bottom of the mesh net off and leave the sides and top before transplanting them into bigger pots, that way the roots can reach right through the bottom. I just find them convenient, easy to moisten and less messy.
The mesh is really not hard to remove. I pull the mesh off and plug them into a pot without issues or damaging the roots. I have used the jiffy pellets, am always tempted to keep using them because they are so easy.
I have had plants that seem to be stunted by the root restriction. I have tried cutting the sides with an exacto before putting them in the ground or removing the nets all together. I think success depends on the specific plant type and whether they have sensitive roots. Nice article. I found these same things out the hard way. I have found some of the pellets still intact 3 years after using them in my garden. I had some that completely molded and I also found some that had bits of plastic in them that hurt the roots of my plants.
My plants grew better with regular pots and soil. Under the heading of: I should have read before I acted…I have been struggling with apple seeds fro weeks. Finally today, a seed sprouted..
In a peat pot with a peat pellet and now I see the issue with the mesh!!!!! Does anyone know if apple tree tiny shoots can overcome the mesh? Can it be removed at some point and still have a viable shoot? Just remove the mesh when you transplant, or if roots start growing out of the mesh, transplant sooner. Why not just make holes for roots not strong enough to go through the mesh? I use these for growing indoor cannabis and the roots appear to always break through then after harvest any mesh left over goes into compost.
You can either remove the mesh, split it down both sides, or break it open at the bottom and spread it outward. Doing a lot of root damage does slow down the growth of the plant. Yes it does recover, but to say there is no harm is not correct.
My tomato seedlings start really well in the largest size of Jiffy pellet 50 x 95mm. The problem is repotting, leaving the netting on appears to restrict root development, peeling it off usually damages the newly formed roots. I soaked my remaining pellets and chucked them in the compost heap -they are still turning up two years later. I noticed some recently purchased jiffy pellets seem to be made of a completely different material compared to old ones I have.
It looks more like thin felt instead of a plastic net. Maybe they have mended their ways. If you leave them sitting on the topsoil and dry out they will take years to break down. If you till them in to the bedding they will break down by the next spring. Same can be said about growing with jiffy pellets or pots. As long as you keep the netting damp and pots damp and do not let them completely dry out, roots of most plants will grow right thru. It really comes down to knowing the correct procedures and uses for a product and following those before claiming something does not work and is not environmentally friendly.
Moist is key. I had fallen into the belief, promulgated by many gardening experts and magazines over the years, that failing to do so would result in various pathogens adversely affecting the new growing plants. God, how I hate that task. And NOW lives am freed!! Thank you! I will be the odd man out and say I use the Jiffys and have for years and will continue to do so. After the first few years I did notice when I pulled out the dead tomato, pepper ect.
I also saw a big main root ball that had grown out of and around those remains so now when I pot up from the Jiffy to the peat pot I remove the netting from the Jiffy and when the plant finally has to go in the ground I break up and remove the peat pot. As for skipping the Jiffys and going straight to the peat pots I only have three window sills to put seedlings on which are about three inches wide and get enough natural sunlight.
First year Gardner, got attracted to these in the store…. I have so much regret now. I make my own now. I am repotting them this weekend and removing the net even if I have to cut around the root. Ive actually now been using spent K cups for seedlings. Filter and Grinds go in compost, bottom gets a 2 more holes and they are a little bigger than the pods and fit nicely on a standard seed tray.
I like the individual over the 6 pack concept because you can space easier as it grows , and the thin plastic in the K cups let you see root growth without unpotting the seedling.
I have used jiffy pellets extensively with both good and bad results in the past. Now I use for certain crops but find for some things like peppers and toms they are not necessary and grow better without.
When I do use them I gently snip up two sides with tiny pruning sheers but do not try to remove the sack. Shame on you people who do not clean your pots. A simple rinse outside by the garden with a mild soap and a garden hose takes about a half an hour. Pouring 1 inch of water into the tray allows the pellets to absorb the amount of moisture they need. Once the pellet surface becomes moist, the remaining water is emptied from the tray.
The Jiffy brand pellets contain fertilizer to feed the seedlings until transplanting, so no additional fertilization is necessary.
If both seeds sprout, pinch out weaker the plant when the stronger plant develops its second set of leaves. Transplanting time depends on the specific plant, but most seedlings are moved to the garden when they are four to six weeks old and after frost danger is past. The pellets don't require preparation before planting. The peat in the pellets can wick moisture away from the plant if it's exposed.
Avoid this issue by planting the pellets so the top surface is covered with a thin layer of garden soil. The netting and pellets break down as the plants grow. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Water as needed. If more than one seed is growing in a pellet, simply pinch off the other plant so you only have one healthy plant per peat pellet.
Make sure to only place the seeds that have sprouted in the sunlight. If you have some pellets that still show no signs of a growing plant, leave them covered in the tray until they sprout. This means you will need to leave the covered tray in the warm spot on top of the refrigerator and only move the pellets that have sprouted onto a different tray or container you have lying around the house. To transplant the seedlings, simply place the pellet directly into the soil and cover. Have you ever used them before?
Have you started any seedlings this year? Let me know in the comments below! This page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase on Amazon after clicking one of my links, I may receive a small commission.
The price of the item stays the same and any money I make goes to supporting this blog. I only endorse products and services that I fully believe in. This is my first year to use peat pellets, and your description was easy to follow.
I am 71 and have done other gardening, but this year I am trying the little peat pellets. Thank you. This is my first year using pellets. I desperately want to garden and this looked like a good way, without buying all the plants at the nursery. Hi , Nice to read your page , I plant 12 pellets only 1 have sprout. I planted my seeds, several have sprouted, but there is a fuss mold growing over the peat pellets.
I mean the minimum and maximum used of peats pellets that have already expanded. Hi I recently got this same kit I was wondering is it normal for this kit to have constant condensation on the lid what does this mean is my temperature not rite Any Info would be appreciated. I am really hoping that leaving the mesh on will be ok!
Please let me know of any advice. Hi there, this is my first year using the Pete pods. Some of my seedlings are ready for larger pots but do I need to take off the mesh cutting??
Can a black light help plants to grow.. Have never tried them before. I am starting my seeds this way too. I have done it before and realize that how you treat them is a delicate process. They always come up right away. After that I think they need something for a fertilizer to keep them going for a month or more so when they need some water I will try water with a little miracle grow in it. But not soaking them. I have over done the water and tried them in sun too quick and outside to quick also.
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