October 28, 2017 | #136 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4
Posts: 1,410
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I've gone a little crazy on the MV site for micro greens. Does anyone store the seeds in the fridge to keep fresh? I see the smaller better deals for me are the 4 oz size. The peas I found are called dwarf sugar grey. Are these the same as the dwarf grey? Also, what would be the better to grow, chives or onions?
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October 28, 2017 | #137 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Near Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,940
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Most seeds will last the longest if stored dry in the freezer. When you take them out, let them warm up completely before opening the container/plastic bag so no condensation forms from moisture in the air.
(True for spices and herbs too!) |
October 29, 2017 | #138 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Quote:
so many times. One way to avoid the waiting is to bag up small clear bags of the exact amount for your size tray...while you are at it anyway... then you have pre-measured packets for a quick seeding. The bulk package is in the freezer for much later on. Same with spices. My bulk seed is kept in the freezer and I keep smaller jars upstairs....refill when needed. |
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October 29, 2017 | #139 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Quote:
for the flavor so did not consider a cost comparison, but looking at price per pound for most seed, like peas and buckwheat, especially radish, I will choose for cost. A more rare seed may be 4-5 times $ over a basic more available radish. Amaranth is pretty but I did not care for the slow growing or the flavor. (why I purchased some sample packs initially) I adore buckwheat for its bulk, large size, fast growing and great crunch and flavor. Black oil sunflower I like much better now. Could be the quality of the seed. I would think dwarf grey is the same as mine but who knows. That is a 'good looking' site but frustrating to navigate for comparisons. Johnny's is cheaper for some seed, but mv has free shipping over 35 I think. (and a 10% off code right now, before Halloween) Testing can be frustrating as some seeds do best in sterile soil over other methods like coir or mats. A definite learning curve. I recommend starting 5x5 of each seed and taking notes, dates, etc. I lost a full 10x10 tray a couple months ago and never did figure out the trouble. |
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October 29, 2017 | #140 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4
Posts: 1,410
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Thanks for the advice. Yes, the MV site is harder to navigate. I had the whole $60 order sent to WA state since they wanted almost $20 for shipping to AK. We find that is the case on most "free" shipping, doesn't matter what the total is. I won't be trying these seeds until after Thanksgiving now but will use some sprouting seeds in the trays to experiment.
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November 3, 2017 | #141 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 2,000
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I read through this thread and want to proceed.
Ordered a kit and a few other things at the MVSeed site last weekend. Everything was in stock and said usually shipped in 24 hours. No shipping message yet; checked order online and it still says 'getting ready'. Can anyone recommend another site that ships really fast? I am a newbie with microgreens but good at growing lettuce. I want to master this while our weather is good. |
November 3, 2017 | #142 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Did they have a recent sale? That gets shoppers in a frenzy and orders
back up. I can't find my order file from last season...filed no doubt where it should be but our power is out and I can't see the shelf. (fire sirens going off) No excuse really for a seller but if they are back ordered or out-of-stock I like an e-mail or some contact....and not a week later. It is against my personal policy and refrain from bad reviews usually as some orders get messed up randomly but just like tomatoes and veg, I have just a handful I order from. Johnny's. 15 yrs and never a problem. Maybe 20yrs. Easy to navigate, lots of information. Prices up-front. Out-of-stock listed. Order confirmation immediately. Smaller mom-n-pops should get credit for trying to keep things afloat. And some patience is required. It is hard to compete with a slick efficient operation like Johnny's so I do support the smaller seed sellers. I like Johnny's sale bin. Usually over-stock rather than out-of-stock. Last Winter/Spring I ordered from MV, SeedsNow, and SproutPeople. I can't remember details as I tend to block those out-of-brain. But for some reason I said never again and back to Johnny's. And my other favorite, MountainRoseHerb, now sells sprout seed. I get all my bulk whole seed spices from them. Power back on so I can send this. |
November 4, 2017 | #143 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 2,000
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Thanks for the reply. They are having 10% off until 11/7 and here I was thinking that I would get my order and maybe order again. My order was $62 after discount so qualified for free shipping.
I will check out Johnny's tomorrow. I bought from them before and they were fast. In the meantime, tonight I bought the Mild Mix from Amazon so will get it Sunday. It is from the same source that MV uses. AKGardengirl - Has your order been shipped yet? |
November 4, 2017 | #144 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 564
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A bit off topic but wanted to share this. I grew some Black Oil sunflower this year as an experiment using bird seed from Walmart. They were planted late but still matured quickly. They are easy to grow and do not take much space. So if you like sunflower sprouts, grow your own seeds is pretty easy.
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November 4, 2017 | #145 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Yeah, well, maybe. That is a personal choice to use feed seed.
You could save some bucks feeding a hungry family barnyard animal feed in the 40lb sacks. Bring it to a boil, then long simmer. Heat will kill all bad stuff. Seed grown soil to table in 7-10 days eaten raw/fresh I won't do. Not bagged sacks in heaps in filthy environments. Even food grade often goes un-regulated. The seed blend I made some complaints about being so filthy, and only two of the five seeds in the blend even germinated... end of the barrel filthy. E-mail back-"all seed should be washed and rinsed a few times daily". Then when I responded that the dirty was only one flaw...the seeds are not fresh. Response, I was sent '101 how to grow micro greens' from their website. No offer for fresh seed, snippy, and the problem was on my end. I just used up the last of it and never again. Bird seed is on the top list of possible pantry pest problems if it is stored anywhere indoors or garage. Freezing is one way to kill off some of it but I don't have freezer space. I do freeze most whole seed at least 3-4 weeks if I buy some random ones from international markets. I had a horrid pest problem from dried peppers a few yrs ago. Live mealy worms and webs in a sealed package. Now stored in the freezer. I don't grow 'sprouts'. Either sprouted seed, where just the seed grain shows a tiny tail for breads and crackers, or full on grown micro greens as edible plants/salad. Sprouts grown on a commercial scale have many issues with contamination growing in room temp climates, dirty water, then packaged for shipment in less than cold temps where a microbial swamp multiplies quickly. Most markets just won't take the chance anymore. Too many re-calls. |
November 4, 2017 | #146 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 2,000
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Good news - Even though I had no update that the package was shipped and the site said not fulfilled, it showed up today. Everything was there. The seed packages looked nice. I have nothing to compare for the felt pads, but they are much softer than the felt from RootPouches.
The 10*20 trays were just 1 step above the same at GreenHouse Megastore. Probably a few uses and then I can see them splitting. I bought a 5 pack of 10*10 and they didn't have the divots that the 10*20 had. The smaller ones at GHM are much studier. Hopefully I will be successful with this and the FL climate cooperates for more than a few months. I started a small test today with the 10*10 trays using the Mild Mix. I also started an even smaller test of the Mild Mix with a 6 pack of cells using promix. Did a couple of cells of lettuce. The 6 pack of cells is sitting in a 10*10 tray. Both sets are covered with the another 10*10 tray. It is very foreign for me to germinate seeds in the dark. Thanks for all the info. |
November 4, 2017 | #147 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
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Good news!
I just started a 10.10 stack this morning. Did a photo play-by-play. I like the 10x10's the best as it is easy to rotate and move to the sink if I need to. For me, Winter growing under lights, I like to bottom water and keep a fan going. Right now it is still a bit summer damp downstairs. Even with a de-humidifier going. Humidity might be your only issue. I find the smaller seeds, salads, basil, broccoli, etc., need a much shorter time covered. 24hrs-ish and check for sprouting. Peas, sunflower, larger seeds it is best to keep a weight on them to the point they grow and move the weighted tray up a bit. The only total darkness I know of is corn. And picked pale, tender and young. A bit tricky to keep them damp, moist, without wet feet soggy. I will move my stack to a heat mat tomorrow. But that is my cooler climate downstairs. And dries them out after a bath. |
November 4, 2017 | #148 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 5,928
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Grocery stores are a good place to buy seeds for sprouting . Peas, wheat etc.
No fancy equipment or lights are required for growing shoots An example : https://www.facebook.com/16559439358...43265705814624. click through the photos in sequence for a very simple way to grow pea shoots for home use. works for wheat grass, sunflower shoots, etc. also. KarenO Last edited by KarenO; November 4, 2017 at 05:31 PM. |
November 4, 2017 | #149 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 2,000
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Quote:
No problem with humidity inside the house; A/C runs all the time; even when we don't need it just to keep the humidity at bay. I don't have lights; I do everything outside. Do you use the mats or Potting Mix/Coir? If you use the mats, what kind? |
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November 5, 2017 | #150 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 2,000
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15 hour update - About 1/2 of the seeds germinated. Since I thought it was too wet yesterday, I didn't spray the seeds other than the first time. This AM I took a lot of the water out by tipping the pan.
Also checked the status of my order on their site and it still says unfilled. |
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