Day 21 Seeding

SEEDING at PlantMasters....

Another way that we “grow” at PlantMasters is by seeding.  We have a seedling house which is usually run at a warmer temperature than the other greenhouses.  There you will find a hand run seeding machine that helps to assure that the proper amount of seeds are placed into each hole. We use small trays that hold 500 plants, this reduces the space needed to be heated. Many seeds are so small that they are coated several times to make them large enough to be picked up.  Each seed variety has its own requirements to grow. Some need to be scarred to allow them to grow. Some seeds may need a dormancy period (freezing) to sprout.  Most seeds need to be soaked to allow them to germinate.  Generally- they are heated from underneath by special benches and covered to provide the proper humidity.  Timing is another factor that determines success. In order to be blooming by a given day, the seed must be planted by another given day.  Length of light requirements must be met as well, for a successful crop. Planting a crop indoors is nothing less than an exact science.  So, how do we know at PlantMasters “the secrets” of how to grow? Is it years of college, a handful of degrees, or endless hours of research?  That is the cool thing about PlantMasters.  It has been handed down generation to generation. Hand written in a note book- year after year, after year. First by a Father, then a Son, then a Grandson.  Although many things here have changed over the years. We are still growing the “Old Fashion Way” Just like Grandpa use to do it back in 1949. 

Day 8..... In the life of a plant

Last week, as you may remember we planted these Geraniums. Here they are on day 8. 

 (remember they were 8 weeks old, rooted cuttings when we planted them) 

Notice on the second photo the snow accumulating on the greenhouse wall behind them. 

Today (and for the last week) we are planting Perennials. The fact that we plant our own stock is important because it is healthier for the plant, the environment, the economy and makes for a better selection for customers since we don't have to make shipping minimums. 

Let me explain. The less the plant is shipped and moved the healthier the plant will be.  Also buy planting our own stock we can regulate what soil it is planted in, how often it is watered and the chemicals that are used or NOT used in the growing process.  Many people do not realize that plants that are "bought in" to box stores and nurseries that do not produce their own stock are often sprayed with a growth retardant. This chemical stunts the plants growth so that during shipping it does not require as much care or water.  Usually sprayed at "peak" these plants look great on the shelve and don't require alot of care. The problem is, that the retardants take weeks to wear off. Our growing season is short enough.  WE DO NOT USE GROWTH RETARDANTS. That makes for a healthier plant for you. Growing our own plants, is good for the environment because it reduces shipping emissions,and packaging.  Its great for our LOCAL economy because we employee more people for a longer time, as our growing process takes ten weeks longer than just shipping products in.

Next week I will take you into the process of planting from a seed.

I have posted more pictures on our facebook page.

            



Day #1

Spring 2013 Day #1...
So most people wouldn't think of Feb 26th as the 1st day of spring but here at PlantMasters it is. What makes us different from most Greenhouses is that our plants are grown here. As with most jobs, the "outside" world doesn't usually understand the ins and outs and the work that goes into the finished product and so I am going to try to share that with you.

Spring in the life a plant....

For simplicities sake, there are two ways to grow. 1 from a seed. or 2, from a plug. I will walk you thru both. Most people are not aware that 90% of what we grow is patented, that is, we must pay a royalty to grow and sell that plant to the company that "patented" that variety. These plants, we are not legally able to start from a seed or a  rooted cutting. So we receive them as "plugs". For example, the "Designer" Geraniums we are planting today are 8 week old cuttings that we received from a grower certified to propagate them.

1st step is to fill the pots. Although, we "do things the old fashion way" we do have a "dirt machine" that we use to help us to fill our pots. We use Baccto Potting Soil. The soil we use if our 1st "secret" to our sucess. It is a high quality potting soil. Remember, you are what you eat. The same rings true for your plants. Unlike the brown bag of Baccto we sell, which is 2 cubic foot, these are 70 cubic foot. The bag is hoisted over the machine with a fork lift and dumped into our dirt machine which wets and fluffs it and then dumps it slowly onto a conveyor belt which we feed pots thorough. The filled pots are put unto a wagon and moved to the house that the Geraniums will be grown in. The less the plants are moved the better. From there we transplant them into there new home, and label them. Now its up to mother nature and the furnace to supply the sun and heat. We hand water and care for them on a daily basis if needed and in 90 days with much care they will be ready to sell.