Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Leave about 1 inch between rows and cubes. By laying them on their sides
the seedlings will bend up and form adventitious roots on the base of the
stem. When transplanting to the rockwool blocks either invert the cubes
180 degrees or place them on their sides (inverted 90 degrees). This will
cause the seedling to form roots on the stem that will grow down into
the rockwool block as the shoot grows up. The result is a very vigorous,
healthy plant with many roots. These extra roots, upon transplanting into
the final hydroponic system, will reduce the transplant shock and assist the
plant in growing very rapidly. Space the blocks in a checkerboard pattern
in the trays. About 10 to 14 days later (about 5 weeks from sowing) they
will be ready to transplant to the hydroponic system when they have about
three sets of true leaves. If you want to keep them longer before transplant-
ing, space them again to about half the plants (about six plants/tray).
Peppers grow slower than tomatoes, so they will need to be separated
as they form the second set of true leaves also, but that will take at least
3 to 4 weeks. Follow the same procedures as with the tomatoes by laying
them on their sides at the same spacing in a flat (Figure 2.5). After about
2 more weeks they can be transplanted to the rockwool blocks. You can
partially lay them on their sides as you place them in the rockwool blocks.
They, similar to tomatoes, will form adventitious roots and should have
FIGURE 2.5
Peppers 25 days old that have been spaced and set on their sides.
These plants are ready to transplant to rockwool blocks. (Courtesy of CuisinArt
Golf Resort & Spa, Anguilla.)
