Which Container Size Is Best For Planting Seeds? - Pepper Geek

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In this video, we'll talk about which container size we use to plant our pepper seeds. We often get asked, "why not just plant in bigger pots?" So, today I'll explain our reasons, and why you may want to do it another way yourself.

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Products mentioned (affiliate links):

6-cell colored trays:

2.5" colored pots:

3.5" black pots:

5" colored pots:

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#peppers #gardening #spicy

[riderb]

I think another important note for saving space is square pots vs round pots. For example, a 5" square pot holds ~25% more soil than a 5" round pot, and takes up the same amount of space. Also, I like to stick to the sizes that maximize space in a 10x20 tray (like having 8x 5" pots per 10x20 tray).

[kahoslayer]

Question! Are there noticable differences in maturity times between the different pot size when you finally transplant them out into the growing season?

[MsSwitchblade]

I was starting in small cell trays before but then I realized I can use the 2, 3 inch ones because like you said, I'm not growing THAT many plants and I have the space. Much easier so far

[matthawkins]

I use the 3.5 inch pots because they have to spend a long time under my grow lights. I have to start hotter peppers in February but can't put them outside until early to mid June when my nighttime lows get warm enough.

[Lovelylady]

I used to start my seeds in grow pucks. Then i discovered that starting them in a small paper bathroom cup works great. Then I up pot them into red solo cups and then they go out into my raised beds. So far so good. Everything is growing nicely.

[Bev-jtby]

I love Boot Strap products. I am only doing 6 pepper plants but didn't know I could start in a bigger container. I started them in the 6 seedling trays than transplanted them to 3 in pots. Could have save myself some work. Now I know for next year. Thank you, Bev from Oklahoma

[rosalinerabago]

You are so right. Seeds would sprout anywhere because I’ve seen plants growing out of cracks and just everywhere. I plant my seeds directly into the container where I know it will stay there throughout its growing period instead of me spending the extra expenses of buying all the different size pots. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us here o on u tube.

[FaceEatingOwl]

I tried soil blocks this year, so no containers. I got carried away though and planted some peppers wayyyy to early for my climate and situation. None have yet germinated 😅 the herbs and flowers are doing well though.
I still have hope, it's really warming up now. The tomatoes have popped up.
The blocks are about 1½ inch diameter and 3 inch tall. Just made with sieved compost and a homemade soil blocker.

[TM-rolh]

So I’ve just skipped the first steps by using rapid rooters and going straight to 5 gallon buckets. I’ve noticed that I get what many would consider stunted growth but in reality my plants were growing giant roots. While the growth curve was shallower, by June my plants are nearly full grown and allows me to get maximum yield.

[ArtistisMe]

I start mine in 40 cell trays with 2 seeds per cell. Growing 3 trays in total on 3 heat pads under 1 long lighting box. It works perfectly for me on a single shelf.

[Simlatio]

I do 2 inch soil blocks, up potting to either 3.5 inch pots or 4 inch soil blocks depending on how hot it is. I find it allows me to maximise air flow to the roots, better manage water and save space under grow lights.

[olefosshaug]

I prefer to use 1 liter milk cartons for peppers, tomatoes and many other plants as well.
My wife work in a nursing home so we get a lot of milk and juice cartons to start our seeds in 🙂
They are square so they can ble placed side by side leaving no space unused.
They measure 7x7cm(almost 3 inches) and are 20cm(8 inches) tall, giving the taproot plenty of space to grow before transplanting to the ground or final pot.
We also have 1, 75(0.5 gallon) cartons measuring 10x10x20cm.
When transplanting I just cut of the bottom of the carton before placing it in the ground or final pot, and after filling soil to the sides I simply just drag the carton gently up trying not to damage any branches(a scissor is useful to cut the carton on the way up if it have wide branches).
Now the plant have a new home without experiencing much transplant shock if any at all.

[WynterDragon]

I use 2" soil blocks and then transplant to 3.5" containers. Also Bootstrap makes the best stuff!

[elijahisrael]

This video literally came right on time. I have 3 jalapeño peppers in seedling stage and I have 3 gallon grow bags on standby.

[FaithfulAcre]

I start my peppers in solo cups that are about half filled with starter mix. Then, as they grow, I add soil to the cup to create a better root system and sturdier stem.

[fishlovme]

I typically start with peat pellets then transfer them to Dixie cups. As they grow taller I fill in the cup with more soil (typically potting soil) unti I reach the top of the container. This has worked well for me with both pepper plants and tomatoes.

[phortunate]

I use 3" round net pots, I get 20 pots in a 10" x 20" tray and they are raised indoors under 5K LED lights until ready to transplant to the garden. I started 4 varieties in addition to some Datyl pepper plants that I overwintered. All are already in the garden and doing well so far. Love your content!

[LuigWollknaeuel]

I start my seeds in 150mL plastic pots in December, pot up to 4L grow bags in January until they move outside into their 25L grow bags by the end of April.

[dustyflats]

This year I used 2” pots for things that grow fast and didn’t have a lot of. I used a propagation tray for a variety of petunias and geraniums and transplanted to 2” if I had them otherwise used 6 pks with about 1.25” oblong cells.
I purposely waited to start tomatoes and peppers in cell packs so I wouldn’t have a jungle and because I’m growing many varieties. The packs that germinated first I would remove from dome and heat, but still experienced some leggy tomatoes even though they were directly under grow lights and I think that’s just due to warm inside air.
Because of that and the fact that tomato seeds tend to be stuck to each other I will need to up-pot into either solo cups or 3” pots. Trying to get timing right so I can avoid up potting, the expense and the room it takes. I just ordered some 4” and 5” because in repotting geraniums from 2” to solo cups I found solo is just a tad small and difficult to make sure soil is down around roots and stopped as it was not fun. It’s the tapered sides of both vessels that is difficult. Wave petunias and geraniums grow quite fast and getting root bound in 2” easily.
I have a soil blocker and haven’t tried that yet. I do know next year all the soil I use I will bake on outside grill next year. Not having gnats and aphids ever again.
Tried to find the cheapest containers and about $09. is as low as I could find unless they are on sale. I give plants to others and don’t give out the heavy duty pots. So if anyone has a frugal idea I’m listening 😊thanks!

[jameslisteroutdoors]

I use 300ml paper cups... super cheap, easy to write labels on & enough capacity to grow from seed until planting out or transferring to a final pot.