I'm starting to get things ready in the Chestnut Indoor Seed-Starting Room. I'll be starting them in late March this year. @lakeeriechestnuts6354 #lakeeriechestnuts
I have 20 raised beds I grow everything in. Each bed is 4'x20'. Each bed has bent pvc hoops over it which I have plastic, fabric, shade cloth depending what I grow. In the fall I place plant chestnut seeds on about 2" spacing. I cover the area with mesh a thick layer of straw. In the spring I remove the straw and mesh. I then place netting over the area to keep critters out. I can grow around 2500 seedlings in this one bed. The soil in these beds is pristine at this point. I rarely weed and the chestnuts flourish. I made my comment because it seems you are adding so many steps to what is a rather simple process. If it works for you then more power to you.
2L wax paper milk cartons (4"x4"x14") opened fully. Free. 1 seedling each for up to 2-3 years. Also, heavy plastic milk carton crates. $2 each and take 5 seedlings each well. We grew 2000 last year using recycled wax cartons and 1000 more in plastic crates. A crate holds 16 wax cartons for easy movement. 12 crates on a pallet (12x16 seedlings/saplings).
@@johnsangl Our family (actually, more correctly, our extended family). We save every one. Fruit juice can also come in similar wax paper cartons, but we drink very little of that stuff. We don't drink "pop"/carbonated sugar water, but maybe they would work for nut tree pots? 2L plastic pop bottles also have heavy duty carrying crates available/manufactured for handling (6 bottle in a crate, or more) and can then be palleted for movement.
Thank you John for the tutorial on Chestnut seed starting. This year, I'm starting 70 seeds outside in a fence in rootmakers . Hopefully, your one suggestion of growing will reduce some issues. Thanks again John!
Thank you John! I appreciate your tutorial of Chestnut seed starting. This year I am starting 70 seeds outside in fence in rootmakers. Hope to have fewer issues. Thank you again.
Hey John! Thanks for your tutorial thats been used successfully over the years. This year, I'm growing the Chestnuts outside in enclosed fence rootmakers cells. Hopefully, the damping off issues will be less. Thanks!
Frustratingly, I still had some damping-off issues when I direct-seeded into my garden boxes last year. Most of them recovered and made for strong seedlings by the end of the Summer though. Best of luck & update me on your success with the outdoor Rootmakers later this year!
First year using the conetainers, I am trying to start some paw paw trees to add to my chestnut orchard. Gonna try chestnuts in them also, I like how the tap root can grow straight down without restriction. Thanks for the tip on up sizing the pot! Great info on your channel!
I recently started using the led panels and have had good luck, but they are expensive so I got 2. Also, I have been putting a slow oscillating fan across the grow room a few hours a day, just so the air isn't stagnate and helps the plants be a little stronger in their stems. Slow slow, just enough so they wiggle like a light breeze. Might be worth experimenting with. Thanks for the updates!
I've used the oscillating fan before - you have to really make sure your plants don't dry out if you use it though! I do like that it can make the stems sturdier & prepare for outdoor winds. Got a link to the LED panels you bought?
We stratify in plastic shoe boxes in the fridge (30 to 40 seeds). After they sprout they are planted indoors with 12 seeds to a shoe box until they are about 8 to 12 inches tall. Gently move again (one seed each) to McDonalds cups where they stay until warm enough and are moved outside for a year. I use led grow lights. We can fit 6 cups in a 5 gallon pickle bucket (dumpster diving behind a Deli) to make them easy to move. After a year I replant in 16 inch long sections of plastic sewer pipe (4 to a gallon bucket) and they can stay there for 2 to 4 years. Can move buckets to best light area and to protected area in winter. We have even started single trees in a 5 gallon bucket (holes drilled in side for air pruning) that are approaching 5 years old and 7 feet tall. Everyone is in tree tube. (Don't forget to cut off nut at appropriate time before moving outside or squirrels will clean you out) The principle reason for keeping them in yard is so I can keep them watered and transplant into the ground where and when needed and protected from deer.
Great use of recycled products! For sure you need to prune the seed off after a couple months or else critters can uproot your trees. I do love growing them in the backyard - the ease of watering & weeding is a lot easier than commuting out to the farm to do that!
I have some European chestnuts in 5 gallon buckets in the ground. Will need to take a look at their progress this weekend. I always appreciate your videos!
Is this the TP49? Would be great if I had your real-world experience. I'd definitely consider buying them if you can confirm this is the one you have. stuewe.com/product/4-x-9-5-short-one-mini-treepot/
What time of year are you growing the chestnuts indoors? I want to start them indoors and didn't know when I could start growing them under grow lights in my basement.
I can’t plant mine outdoors until after mid-May. I usually start my seeds April 1st. Any earlier and the trees become large and much harder to keep happy indoors.
I've never used the biodegradable gro bags, but I'm sure they'll do well - I do have some concerns on whether the roots will truly penetrate thru the gro-bags without circling and having some degree root-bound problems.
the piece of hat you use to protect the tree from being eaten by deer. what is it called and where can i buy it . and do you sell seedlings? Thank you very much for your reply
