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Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I was hoping to get some feedback on this seed starting contraption I put together. Haven't planted seeds in it yet, still waiting on some supplies. I was thinking I might take a few inches off of one end, but wasn't sure exactly how much I should take off. I think it is kind of cool, and am curious if anyone else out there has built a similar device. Find it here:

<a HREF="http://pumkinlog.wickless.com">http://pumkinlog.wickless.com</A>

2/10/2004 3:17:18 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Oh, come on guys, no embedded html? the site is

http://pumkinlog.wickless.com

2/10/2004 3:18:15 PM

Hensler North Dakota

Nice idea. How are going to get it out of the dirt with out distrubing the roots?
How about latches on both sides? Bury the whole thing-open latches and it comes out in two pieces leaving the root ball protected from falling apart. or cheaper yet
I think duct would also work to hold the 2 halfs of the pvc together.Bury your gismo/peel duct tape/carefully lift out one side/pack some dirt on this side/then lift out the other?

2/10/2004 3:40:17 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

That's pretty cool. You might want to grind those screws flush to minimize root disturbance. I think if the planting hole is loose enough & the plant young enough, it should work out. Kinda need a third hand regardless of the method used to add soil as it's being removed to prevent a cave in anyway I see it.

2/10/2004 4:38:08 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Matt I like it!!! Any idea on cost per unit.

2/10/2004 5:59:05 PM

Norton, MA

Wow. Nice idea. I'd deffinetly just go with duct tape. Alex.

2/10/2004 7:09:18 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Matt, I used the same 6" PVC pipe last year, with the plastic caps you could just take off. I didn't do hinges tho.
I sprayed the inside of the pipe sections (12-14" tall) with no-stick corn oil before adding soil. When it was time to transplant, and before the cots got too big, I placed the pipe, minus bottom, in the holes and the pipe slid right off with no disturbance to the plant...and a few days of growth room for the roots to ease into the change of soil.
The beauty of it was the pipe could be buried and soil packed around it so sliding it out was a breeze. Gotta transplant to the garden quickly though before the cots get too large....and I didn't use cover protection so most everything froze and died that early in the season. Had to replant again, duh!
This year I'll be doing the same but with 12" diameter pipe and cloches.
The hinged pipe is pretty bulky to open and take out of a hole. I'd think something thinner and more flexible might do a little better...I used to use cut and taped metal 2lb. coffee containers, they bend a bit. Plenty of diameter but short on depth. So I went to tall PVC pipe....this year tall and wider.

2/10/2004 7:11:40 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

Last year I used several 3 gallon sized tree containers. Cut them down the sides and duct taped them together. worked great.

2/10/2004 8:30:51 PM

Montoursville, PA

Looks just fine to me. Wash up and dry to squeeky clean. That is a most important chore before reusing any plant holding devise. I always like to tinker with this and that. You have tinkered up a nice pot.

2/10/2004 9:11:49 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

This was pretty cheap to put together. A 10' length of 6" PVC is about $20, so if it is 12" high, you can make them for $2 a piece for the PVC plus $4-5 for the hardware. Oh, the thread tap to make the theaded holes for the screws was $7 I think, but that will have many other uses as well.

2/10/2004 10:32:04 PM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

Kyle, where does one find 12" diameter PVC pipe? 6" was the largest I could find.

2/10/2004 10:32:56 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I've seen 12" at the commercial supply wholesalers. Not in HomeDepot though! LOL The stuff is crazy expensive too. A pale shade of green as I recall & I don't think it was sc40. I once got a piece for repair to the roof drainage system on my White Plains warehouse from our neighbor who builds roads. I believe they used it for piping cement in difficult pours. Always keep your eyes peeled for stuff like this when cruising the "light industrial" areas. Often a spare piece is free for the asking if you catch the boss in a good mood.

2/10/2004 10:58:04 PM

Deer Park WA

Great idea Matt, I my modify my 14" split plastic pot design using hinges and hasps instead of duct tape! The only problem I can see in your design is drainage and aereation of the potting medium, should be easy to resolve with a few holes drilled in it. I give it a totaly meaningless A- nice job Matt!

2/11/2004 12:38:48 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

The 12" has to be looked for. As Steve mentioned, it's not in your local Lowe's. I found the stuff at a farm supply store near me....wayyyy in the back.

2/11/2004 6:43:00 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I just had a thought. How about modifying a 3, 5, or 7 gallon bucket? Too big? Which one?

2/11/2004 7:09:07 AM

Syracuse, NY

ohhhh, mannn! you guys are all on the right track-
i especially like the term "pumpkin log."! i will be looking on this board more often than ever-i think i'll bust-out the Gerry germination method in the next week or so also.......'pal2

2/12/2004 7:04:41 PM