Jiffy pellets - the definitive verdict?

Hi all

Are jiffy pellets a good choice for germinating?

Yesterday I posted a request for help on the use of jiffy pellets, and although I got some good help I'm still in 2 minds on whether to go with jiffy pellets or paper towels. I serched the forums but didn't find the definitive answer.

Some 'rules' for this debate:
1. Let's assume we will grow in soil.
2. Let's assume we will pre-soak seeds for 24 hours in a cup of water.
3. Let's assume that using paper towels is a good, tried and tested method.
4. Let's remember what is good about jiffy pellets - namely that they offer a good way of transferring the sprouting seeds to soil with a minimum of touching (and possibly damaging) the seeds.

So, I'm not looking for people to call it for either towels or pellets. Towels work, that's not in question. What I want is a DEFINITIVE VERDICT about pellets - are they a good choice? Or do they give problems? Will the seed grow into the pellet ok, or have problems? Is all that peat ok for the sprouting seed? After transferring to soil does the pellet retain too much water which can cause rot? etc etc...

Anyone who has experience (good or bad) of using pellets, or have heard stories of pellet use are invited to share it here.

thanx 2 all in advance

ok usually i do the paper towel method, the plant i have now i just threw 3 seeds in a jiffy pellet to let them germinate and its about half a foot tall within a month.

getting ready to use jiffy pellets for my new seelings.. already have used the paper towel with great success..
just want to try sumthing new..

Jiffy pellets seem to work for me even for the girm process, my question is, after they sprout, do they need nutes?? or just lettem grow in the pellet, and for how long until I transfer to soil???

FUCK a jiffy... FUCK a papa doc FUCK a knock FUCK a spliffy, FUCK everymethod, but the tried and true paper towels, hope you foam out the mouth if you let those fuckers dry out.

Google - Search: Hydroponics near City, ST

Select from list one closest to your vacinity... Call. Identify rockwool cube stock... DRIVE. Buy. cry.

PlatinumKasse said:

FUCK a jiffy... FUCK a papa doc FUCK a knock FUCK a spliffy, FUCK everymethod, but the tried and true paper towels, hope you foam out the mouth if you let those fuckers dry out.

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wow, how nice, I was only offering my opinion.

Well,

For me i would have to go the Jiffy pots.

Why? stick in a seed and wait. Come time to transplant its simple, pop the whole
thing in a pot and you are good to go.

Its really not hard.

_forbidden_

econofarmer said:

Jiffy pellets seem to work for me even for the girm process, my question is, after they sprout, do they need nutes?? or just lettem grow in the pellet, and for how long until I transfer to soil???

Click to expand...

Seeds and Seedlings don't require nutrients for quite some time man.

Transfer to soil when you have a good root system going.

You can play it by eye dude. Don't over complicate simple things.

_forbidden_

Jiffy pots have worked very well for me, better than anything else I've tried. I use the paper towel method and I put them on top of the water heater for warmth. Put the wet paper towel and seeds in plastic bag and seal it up so it won't dry out; otherwise it will dry out in only a few hours.

PlatinumKasse said:

FUCK a jiffy... FUCK a papa doc FUCK a knock FUCK a spliffy, FUCK everymethod, but the tried and true paper towels, hope you foam out the mouth if you let those fuckers dry out.

Click to expand...

I havent had any drying out problems as of yet, if anything the pots seem to retain more water, especially when covered by a humidity dome.

econofarmer said:

I havent had any drying out problems as of yet, if anything the pots seem to retain more water, especially when covered by a humidity dome.

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Yeah same for me, they work even better with a humidity dome
and for $0 to $10 why anyone wouldn't have one i don't know.

Just make sure not to move the seedlings or clones whatever to
direct HPS or strong light when taking them out, first its good to
let them harden off and make sure they have some time before in
with a fan so that they don't just fall over.

_forbidden_

dude no, i wasn't being mean. i just took a rap-line from 8mile and edited it to fit the situation. i'm not mad, sorry if i made you think so :\ I love all. I'm a calm cat. I've just read that there's a lot of problems with Jiffys cuz the shit fucks the roots up

PlatinumKasse said:

I've just read that there's a lot of problems with Jiffys cuz the shit fucks the roots up

Click to expand...

How so?

_forbidden_

Jiffy pellets work fine....there is NO need to remove the netting around the pellet when transplanting....the roots rip right thru it no problem!

I'm trying to find what I read online, but I am not by any means close to sobriety. I am very much more fucked up right now than herb or alcohol could potentially make me so.. understand that I will get it to you but as I recall it was something about truamatizing the roots. I know that is vague but it is the only recollection that's surfaced thus far.

yea as platinum kasse stated that jiffy pellets fuck up your roots... that is somewhat true but not always the case.. they are held up with that liner that holds the pellets together, obviously for a reason.. but they are made to allow roots to get thru. ( with cloning ive had great rooting) i recommend them for germination just know u wanna keep them in a dome as u said. The roots will only fuck up if u mess wit the liner when roots are forming.

PlatinumKasse said:

Jiffys cuz the shit fucks the roots up

Click to expand...

I think the roots get damaged when people just tear the netting off the pellet (and some little roots along with the netting!!!)
Leave the netting ALONE and no problems

SWEET. someone came to my rescue. i was gonna say "i remember something about a screen" but i thought "wtf, that can't be right". But you have it now, ya, this post is pointless.

Sorry bro! I must have misunderstood you, (I dont remember all of 8 mile) no probs at all.