[CH] Germination
Mike Shimek (mike@dmfarms.com)
Fri, 1 Jun 2001 09:03:54 -0400
We start thousands of pepper seeds here on our farm. What I do is seed them
in 200 cell plug trays, with Fafard Germinating Mix, cover seeds with about
1/8" mix, water then place on a heat mat. They usually germinate in 7-10
days. I set the mat at 92, which gives me around 80-85 soil temp. Habs
usually take longer. When trays are watered, liquid 9-18-9 fertilizer is
automatically injected at a 1:100 ratio. When the plants get about 2" high
and start to show true leaves, they are transplanted into 72 cell trays, and
are grown on, until they are transplanted again into the field. We lay
plastic mulch on raised beds, before transplanting. We may or may not lay
drip tape with the plastic, depending on field conditions, and anticipated
weather. This year looks wet, so we may not lay a lot of drip. This looks
like a wet year. Last night I put in a half acre of sweet corn, with the
wheels spinnin'!
Mike
D & M Farms