Plant Starting and Propagation

Purpose and Audience

With spring coming it is a good time to think about plant starting indoors.  In terms of audience, if you are just starting, looking to buy some gifts for your favorite gardener, or just upping your game a little this is the right place.  However, if you are looking to grow stuff professionally or have tons of experience then I doubt there is much for you here.

In terms of my approach, I prefer the right tool for the job and buying once rather than often.  However, I'll include some cost savings approaches that don't meet those requirements.  For the most part I won't cover any really expensive options.

Also, a quick note about links.   I don't make money from any of these links; they are mostly there just for reference.  I've preferred to use links that are to common places.  I'm not a big fan of Walmart (as a company) but I'm sure they are fine for seed supplies.  I've used Home Depot, but Lowes has most of the same stuff.  

Super Short Versions

1020

The "standard" size is a 1020 tray.  Its 20in long 10in across (1020).  If you have a smaller space, you can definitely buy smaller trays.  I'm not aware of anything larger, you just use multiple trays if you have more space. 

Trays and Inserts

You can get trays that are either really strong or basically disposable.  In terms of inserts I've never found a durable insert.  At best they are good for a couple of seasons, more if you are willing to deal with pretty broken inserts:)

1. Buy trays perma-nest.  Except they seem to be discontinued:(.  I suspect the boot strap farmer trays are a reasonable replacement, but I haven't used them Grow Trays 1020 Multicolor - holes, extra strength, 2.5 inches deep, 10 pack – Park Seed.  Alternatively, you can start with something cheaper like Viagrow 10 in. x 20 in. Extra-Strength Quad Seed Starter Propagation Tray (5-Pack) V726298-5 - The Home Depot or whatever is available at your local store.  Note the fragile versions won't let you move a tray full of seedlings easily.  

2. Plant inserts

Hydro Crunch 72 Cell Seedling Propagation Insert Grow Trays (10-Pack) D940002100-10PK - The Home Depot

This allows lots of plants.  But if you are doing things like Tomatoes you are going to be looking at lots of transplant cycles.

On the other extreme you can use something much bigger Ferry-Morse 18 Pot Seed Starting Tray Kit P180-6H - The Home Depot

Heating Matts

If you are going to be starting them in a cooler space heating mats are useful.  VIVOSUN 10 in. x 20.75 in. Durable Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat X001YUGJ3X - The Home Depot.  Note almost all vegetable benefit from heat.  However, there are several decorative plants that don't want heat.

I've only ever used the inexpensive versions; they seem fine and haven't broken on me yet.

Domes

A humidity done makes things much easier.  I like solid domes like 1020 Humidity Domes Clear, extra strength, 2 pack – Park Seed.  Once again, I've bought perma-nest in the past, but they are discontinued.

Light

This is probably the most critical part.   Unless you have a greenhouse, you are unlikely to have the optimal amount of light.  Even a southern facing window probably won't do it.  Fortunately, lighting technology has improved over time by leaps and bounds.  There is no reason now not to buy LED lighting  

I'm using two of these Feit Electric 24 in. 27-Watt Vertical White LED 3 Adjustable Spectrum Linkable Plant Grow Light Fixture White Adjustable Light GLP24ADJS/VM/27W/LED - The Home Depot over a single plant tray.  That gives plenty of light.  The adjustable spectrum seems like just a gimmick to me.  

These look like they could put directly into some domes.  

T5 Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, 5000K Full Spectrum 60W (4 x 15W), 2FT LED Plant Light Strip with Timer & Dimming Controller for Seed Starting, 4-Pack

Note, unlike good old incandescent lights there are a variety of things that impact efficiency so knowing input power doesn't tell the whole picture.   Common estimates say LEDs vary from 40 to 50% efficiency.  So, for instance a 40% efficient 50w input light is the same output as a 50% efficiently 40 watt light.  

Soil

I like Seed Starting Potting Mix, 8 qt., For Use in Containers, Soil (2-Pack) though probably any potting soil is fine.  I've had slightly less trouble with mold and related with dedicated seed mix, but other people do fine with plain potting soil Miracle grow all purpose soil to start seedlings? : r/gardening.

Integrated solutions

Note I have NOT tried any of these.  But they seem like a nice space saver.  The downside is that you CANNOT easily use the lights with taller plants (which you can do with separate lights. 

1-Pack 40-Cell Seed Starter Trays with 1 Set of LED Lights and 10"x20.75" Seedling Heat Mat

An example of typical more expansive integrate option

Clone Tent Kit with GrowHub A22 Controller, T5 Full-Spectrum Grow Light, Seed Starter Kits, for Indoor Plant Germination, 24" x 16" x 20".

Note a lot of the more expensive options are targeted for commercial farming of more expensive crops. 

Long Version

To Do:)