Some of you may know about soil blocks and some may not. Soil block use in gardening goes way back before we had containers. Blocks of soil can be used to start seeds. It provides an Eco & economical way to do that. All that is required is a block maker ( pic 1 & 2 ) and some soil. The Blocks ( pic 3 ) are 2 x 2 with a dimple in the top for seed placement. The result is a nicely formed block of soil. The Soil blocks provide the space a root system needs in the early stage of life. When it grows out the air "prunes it." Transplanting can be stressless. The negative is to buy a blocker of the size you want. They can cost but, the upside is they last a lifetime. Anyway I thought to share. Better info and photos plus soil mix recipes google "soil block" ------
You should use seran wrap around the bottom and sides.. and poke holes in it on bottom for water runoff... just a thought
Caution: do not step on the tracks caution (the dead plays in the background): for those who use a shit-ton of perlite, this may not work! i used too much perlite in my most recent grow and had some trouble transplanting because the soil would fall out. but i guess if the roots have taken over, it's fine. i'm totally interested though... how much does something like that cost? can you make one of these one your own (hint hint, wink wink, -> 'DIY section' someone?)? where would i even find one of these nowadays?
Yes indeed if the soil mix has too much perlite that may make a block crumble. I used a commercial bag of soil from Peaceful Valley Farm supply ( groworganic.com ) had bits of fibers like wood. That held together good. A soil block is tougher that I thought at first. The cost of a 2 inch block maker at groworganic.com is listed as $29.99 Ladbrooke 2" Soil Blocker (4 Block) The 4 inch is $100.00 << yep lots of green. The thing is they last a lifetime or two, I didn't want to spend $100 so I made my own large blocker. Yes people make blockers. The most simple is the right sized plastic container filled and hand pressed tight with a soil mix then turned upside down and gently wiggled so the soil block falls out. Funny thing is I don't use my large blocker much. I start seeds in the 2 inch blocks. Also I do clones in the 2 inch blocks. A quick google and I found http://toppertwo.tripod.com/soil_blocks.htm.. Yeah I too dig the blocks. Less to buy. Fun to make... Ease of transplant.
Soil Blocks in a sprouting box.This is a well used and dirty rubbermaid 2283 that I use to sprout seeds. Inside on the bottom is some hardware cloth and soil blocks sitting on top of the hardware cloth. The purpose of the hardware cloths is to keep the blocks off the water while the water on the bottom helps create humidity. Humidity is soaked up by the blocks and excess water pools in the bottom. The rubbermaid 2283 is a great box. It is still in great shape after 4 years. I searched for the rubbermaid 2283 and found only one reference for like $38.51 at ace hardware .. That is insane .. I paid $12 /monthly_2006_11/57a6c91d24842_soil_blocksbox.jpg.38096ba651d9cb0fc70936fd8dc1b48d.jpg
A little light on the box.Here is a lighted view of germinating in my rubbermaid. Cross yer fingers they are over 5 years old. /monthly_2006_11/Soil_bock_rubbermaid.jpg.0e70110475727baa01499d68526f811f.jpg
Ive worked with better soil blocks,I started with Rapid Rooter stater plugs which are organic,made from compost.Then later I use CoCo blocks made from 100% CoCo coir and pH stable and if not soak with pH stable water and nutrients for good effects.
Note: I have learned a lesson. I had a bag of top grade organic soil mix. I used it over a year ago to make soil blocks with great success. But after sitting around over a year it now looks like the nutrient value dropped. It went flat so to speak. So I have some struggling sprouts who did not get what they needed early on from the soil blocks. There may be some dwarfing of their growth. I will have to see. The Lesson here is use fresh materials in your soil blocks.
