Pack The Soil?

[big rockpile]

Been doing this for years packing down Potting soil so stuff has good contact.

Been mixing my own Potting Soil and seems my plants like it. Only thing is it holds water. I doubled my Perlite but still holds water.

I'm wondering if my packing it down is wrong and the reason it holds water?

big rockpile

 

[Anniekay]

Plant roots need a little bit of air. I only pack the top down lightly after planting seed that needs light to germinate, just enough so that the seed has good contact with the moist soil. Otherwise, just watering the soil packs it down just enough to remove air pockets.

 

[big rockpile]

I was thinking the same it will naturally settle down over time.

Had the same problem with my Worms I was listening to another guy that said to use Compost. They weren't getting enough air and said Bye! Bye!

So I give them Wet Shredded Cardboard and Peat Moss.

They are Happy! Happy!

big rockpile

 

[Jersey Devil]

Plant roots need a little bit of air. I only pack the top down lightly after planting seed that needs light to germinate, just enough so that the seed has good contact with the moist soil. Otherwise, just watering the soil packs it down just enough to remove air pockets.

I was always told to plant and water, then conpress the soil to remove ANY air from the roots. I was told that roots cannot grow in air pockets. Flowers, perennials, trees, whatever...I always plant, then water sufficiantly, and press down until all the air is pushed out. Been working for me, IDK. But, yes...when it comes to seeds, thats a different story. Then I do as Annie says.

 

[Tetters]

Seedlings will not be able to breathe if the compost is compacted. They are tiny and very vulnerable to heavy pushed down soil or compost. If you push the compost down like that Rockers your seedling will be flooded, and unable to breathe. Always leave loose compost around them. The other thing is that if you have put perlite in for drainage, and you pack it down tight, it will not be able to do its job.
Even if the seedlings manage somehow to survive, they will be very difficult to transplant to their next place for growing on - they have no strength to fight back against all the pressure you are piling on them.

 

[roadrunner]

Seeds can germinate on a wet paper napkin. Soil contact with the sprouting seedling is important, but in many cases way overstated.

 

[Tetters]

Seeds can germinate on a wet paper napkin. Soil contact with the sprouting seedling is important, but in many cases way overstated.

That is a very good observation roadrunner. New seedlings are not in need of any nutrition, at least until they reach the stage of being transferred to the first grow pot.
Actually, if they were spaced sufficiently well on a napkin, they would probably be easier to pot up. It reminds me of my early schooldays a couple of hundred years ago when we put a bean on blotting paper - tube of blotting paper inside a jar with some water and the bean between the paper and the glass so that we could learn how things grow - happy memories

 

[olly-buckle]

I just lightly tamp it down, then water to bring the soil into full contact with the roots, when I pot on, same sort of thing with seeds.
What gets me is when they say 'Then cover the seeds with 1/8th of an inch of earth', have you ever tried it? Ridiculous. I usually sow a sprinkle of seeds on the surface and then 'rough it up' with something like a plant label, then water with a fine rose. There will be seeds at every level from surface to 3/8 of an inch down, some are bound to be in the right place, usually most judging by germination rates.

 

[big rockpile]

Seeds can germinate on a wet paper napkin. Soil contact with the sprouting seedling is important, but in many cases way overstated.

I do many on a wet paper towel. It is really stupid I only do this with the most priced seeds.

So why don't I do this with all?

Dealing with Petunias right now small seed and small sprouts.

big rockpile

 

[olly-buckle]

I do many on a wet paper towel. It is really stupid I only do this with the most priced seeds.

So why don't I do this with all?

Dealing with Petunias right now small seed and small sprouts.

big rockpile

I used to, but just leave them a little too long and they grow roots into the tissue, then it's tear the paper up and plant the little pieces.

 

[roadrunner]

If a seedlings root gets caught up in a paper towel, that's not a problem, simply bury that section of paper with the seedling.

However, it was not my intention to sell the idea of germinating seeds on paper towels to anyone. My only point was that the emphasis so many put on "packing soil" is way over stated. The soil, thanks to gravity and watering, will pack well enough for seed contact.


Although if any one is interested in germinating seeds on paper towels this is a good video, but yes, it's not for every type of seed.

 

[Tetters]

If a seedlings root gets caught up in a paper towel, that's not a problem, simply bury that section of paper with the seedling.

However, it was not my intention to sell the idea of germinating seeds on paper towels to anyone. My only point was that the emphasis so many put on "packing soil" is way over stated. The soil, thanks to gravity and watering, will pack well enough for seed contact.


Although if any one is interested in germinating seeds on paper towels this is a good video, but yes, it's not for every type of seed.

Having spent years (and years) growing from seed as well as cuttings, this video was an eye opener for me, and something I have never contemplated. This of course goes to prove that we never stop learning!
I have always been fortunate enough to have a propagator with temperature control - commercial size, and have grown thousands of plants from seed- the ''old fashioned'' way, but cannot wait to give this idea a go - especially as my growing area has now become rather more restricted. Thank you @roadrunner.
As an afterthought, maybe this plan would make life a bit easier for @big rockpile and well worth trying out.

 

[big rockpile]

Having spent years (and years) growing from seed as well as cuttings, this video was an eye opener for me, and something I have never contemplated. This of course goes to prove that we never stop learning!
I have always been fortunate enough to have a propagator with temperature control - commercial size, and have grown thousands of plants from seed- the ''old fashioned'' way, but cannot wait to give this idea a go - especially as my growing area has now become rather more restricted. Thank you @roadrunner.
As an afterthought, maybe this plan would make life a bit easier for @big rockpile and well worth trying out.

I have already considered it. I've been using this method of sprouting with special seed and done well.

My problem has always been with Petunia Seed so I might try it and put the sprouts in a 6 inch pot, put it on a Heat Mat to keep it warm.

With Petunias I've had much better luck with cuttings.

Told my wife Petunias will be a big seller so this is important.

big rockpile

 

[big rockpile]

If a seedlings root gets caught up in a paper towel, that's not a problem, simply bury that section of paper with the seedling.

However, it was not my intention to sell the idea of germinating seeds on paper towels to anyone. My only point was that the emphasis so many put on "packing soil" is way over stated. The soil, thanks to gravity and watering, will pack well enough for seed contact.


Although if any one is interested in germinating seeds on paper towels this is a good video, but yes, it's not for every type of seed.

We shall see.
big rockpile

 

[olly-buckle]

We shall see.
big rockpile

View attachment 2835

Nothing ventured ... I love trying things that are new to me, and with this what's to lose? Half an hour and a few seeds, so what? Well worth a try.