Jiffy Pellets Can Harm Your Plants If Not Used Correctly

[@mikek5631]

I use the Jiffy pellets to start my pepper seeds with great success. I only grow around 12 pepper plants a season so getting a Jiffy pellet and dome kit for a few dollars is a worthy buy for me. I hydrate using boiling water which sterilizes them. Once cooled I begin sowing my seeds. They are a great, inexpensive and easy to use item for the avg home gardener. I really like them. I do agree with you about the netting though. Common sense told me right away that I should cut it off when up-potting and that is just what I have done from the get go. When not used correctly they can absolutely be harmful. But when used properly they are fast and extremely useful.

[@GMT439]

They work great and this guy is making loads of CLAIMS that are not true. PLA is organic too and not plastic like he claims.

[@HamiltonRb]

I buy the larger size pellets for larger plants like peppers & tomatoes, and as I plant them in the soil I simply slice along the side of the casing and the roots are free to roam

[@petejansen8098]

Just cut the mesh off when you up pot them. They work great to start seeds or clone cuttings.

[@iseabeck9488]

I'm using Jiffy Pods for a cannabis grow right now. I cut one of the mesh bags when putting into the soil, and left two intact. The one I cut is growing substantially quicker than the other two.

[@agundes89]

Hey how’s it going? I just cut some clones and got some roots and was about to plant into living soil. Reading your comment I’m thinking I should cut them off? How’s that grow going? Any updates? U on ig?

[@iseabeck9488]

@@agundes89 Yo! I'm actually about to cut clones for the first time myself and plan on using Jiffy Pods. Absolutely you should have cut the surrounding mesh - did you? How are things on your end? Sorry I have notifications turned off so I only see replies if I come back to the video. I do not have a public IG for my grows. Maybe one day.

[@arubaguy2733]

This year I noticed that the mesh is made of something that allows roots to grow right through it. This has not always been the case. In the past, I just ripped off the mesh before potting up, but now roots grow out as if the mesh isn't even there. Also, it's nice that now the compressed fiber is coco coir instead of peat, which makes them environmentally friendlier.

[@Terri_Stauffer]

I use peat pellets to start seeds, stopped having issues with fungus mats, but I remove the netting before planting. I recently purchased some Hellebores that came in those biodegradable pots that are being used. You bet I removed those pots instead of planting like the instructions says. Lots of reviews saying they stunt root growth.

[@burnsaga]

Had no idea the mesh is made from PLA. Thanks for the info

[@retro5533]

I started seeds in jiffy pellets this year last week (mid April) which our last frost is typically early may. I don’t think I’d use them if I started seeds in Feb/March (like I probably should for some but creatures of habit + spring is just a natural reminder.) Jiffy Pellets are somewhat nice to have in a small house without much room to bring plants in from the cold. I use take out dishes with clear lids as a mini greenhouse to preserve water, I’ll be certain to cut off the plastic though! Thanks for the video!

[@chiefcuster]

I find that the pots made from compressed cow manure do not break down fast enough in the garden, as well. When I pulled up tomato plants at the end of the season, last year, the plants I had started in cow pots still had the pot mostly, if not completely, intact. That certainly has to discourage root development. Also, when I first started gardening, I was starting seeds in a small indoor hydroponic "garden." The seeds are dropped into a hole in a conical sponge that sits in fertilized water under a light bar. It works pretty well. But I thought the sponges were biodegradable and so up-potted them for transplanting outside. Well, 3 years later, I still find those sponges whenever I dig around in my garden. Not so biodegradable. Plastic pots are the way to go.

[@maccaberry1041]

Great comment. All these new ways to propagate a seed are just marketing. Nature worked out over billions of years the best way to do it. Get some soil/compost. Add sunlight and water and let nature take over. I don't know why we need to complicate things in an effort to make it "simpler"

[@agundes89]

I did for that run, but I ended up switching over to Coco coins. Supposedly the outer layer is made of paper. We’ll see if they decompose. I’ve heard good things and cloning was super easy. Pop seeds wasn’t bad at all either.

[@quicksilver3975]

I actually operate a greenhouse for profit. Roughly 20000 plants per year. Small I know but I will say this. I use peat pellets for my own stuff but because of cost I don’t use a lot. I don’t know about whether they are good or bad for the environment but they do work. For those saying they won’t grow as good or better of a plant that’s just horseshit. I’ve always had great success with them and would use them on all my plants but economically that’s not feasible.

[@robertsansone1680]

I've also had great success. Some folks just like to create a crisis that doesn't exist.

[@MarigoldsintheGarden]

Thank you for another informative video. I have purchased numerous root stock plants from reputable online nurseries here in Qld, Australia, and I have had a few plants die. When I have suspected something was wrong with them, because they suddenly seemed to stop growing, I discovered harsh plastic like material binding the roots on the young plants, that appear to have retarded the young plant's growth. It is starting to become expensive, so I am going to let the online nurseries know about this. Thants so much

[@singncarpenter6270]

Don't use Jiffy pellets. I learned that a few years ago after digging up plants that were started in them. Can you cut the plastic mesh off when transplanting? Yes, but why not just avoid that altogether?

[@UrbanHomesteadMomma]

Yeah I’ve used these many times… I have a love hate relationship with them. They are quick and easy to get going BUT those nets never go away. The first year I used them I didn’t know better and planted right into the garden. 4 years later I’m still finding bits of them in my soil!!! Ick! The next few years I pulled all the nets off and that was just a PITA! This year I’m trying those compressed peat pots but I’m finding that I still need to remove the seedlings from the pots because they don’t break down near fast enough to allow the roots to spread. 🙄… I’ve tried toilet paper rolls and they just get mouldy and gross… I’ve tried paper pots and they are just tedious to make and use because they break down too fast… I’ve decided that next year I’m getting a soil blocker. I’m hoping that that will be the best solution. I don’t want to use plastic trays as I’m trying to avoid plastic in the garden. I do use recycled 4” and 6” nursery pots when I need to pot things up. I always try to recycle those year to year. But yes… 110% will never use the pods again!

[@sixmillionsilencedaccounts3517]

Great video, I share your opinion about these pellets. I would add minor correction though: coir is hydrophilic. That's one of its advantages over peat.

[@terryl.9302]

Glad you said all this bcz after using them for the first time this year, I was thinking a similar way. Also, they don't always expand fully causing problems. Did not know abt PLA, so thx for that Warning.

[@peternias7646]

There is a video on how to make your own, uses starch to bind the coire so no mesh bag, think maybe use paper cupcake moulds if needed

[@jenneke2]

Many of the 12-14 in containers of pelargoniums or mixed annuals you can purchase at nurseries and big box or grocery stores in may have several plants in them. I’ve found to my dismay, that though they look lovely when newly bought, they don’t thrive like they used to back in the day. I’ve learned to dismantle the container when I get it home in order to “free” the individual plants’ roots from their compression sock-like mesh bondage! Many fairly large plants have roots squeezed in tight socks the size of one’s thumb!

[@Unkn0wn1133]

Ive bought multiple bromeliads and the first couple rotted at the base of the plant because they used these without removing before repotting, so theres this wet ball with mesh right below the plant that doesnt dry out as fast as the rest of the soil. Now i repot asap and pull it out.

[@AKCrazyRussian]

Jiffy Pellets they are very convineit to use, I agree you need to cut mesh from pellets.

[@johnmcphee9439]

I liked and subbed when you showed the legalese they used to claim the meshes are biodegradable. Unreal.

[@miguelmeneses2792]

I think you are making up a confusion, in some images you are showing what is called a paperplug in the industry, not a pellet. Roots do not pass the "paper" but they do pass the mesh.

[@aosamai]

thanks a lot for sharing this, I will make sure I cut it off before I replant ... again many thanks

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Mr. P for some very good information.🌷💚🙃

[@IAMGiftbearer]

I've actually had better results with Jiffy pellets than planting seeds in plastic pots. I always cut off the mesh before planting in the ground. Lettuce is a struggle whenever I start it in pots and I am constantly battling damping off, weak seedlings and seedlings that are slow to grow and some varieties don't germinate at all; like Tom Thumb Butterhead; for instance. In the pellets they seem to have better support and drain better. They get more airflow to the roots. More of my young plants make it to the size that they can be re-potted or planted in the ground successfully. I guess the manufacturer could ome up with a mesh that is truly bioderadable and still hold the soil until they are ready to be put in the ground or a pot!

[@noeditbookreviews]

Thanks for the tips.

[@billypabst3272]

I used them one year , but didn't like them. That was about 10 years ago.

[@Aswaguespack]

Agreed! 👍🏻

[@iFYKTYK_Podcast]

I’m using it now but I will stop

[@morgangentle1515]

If already started and before transplant can the mesh come off without damaging seedling

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

Unreal that Jiffy would sell these silly things. All these 'compostable' plastics are the same - need extremely high temperatures to decompose - far higher than 99.99999% of all composts ever reach. It's greenwashing of the worst kind.

[@maccaberry1041]

Its called cheap and nasty/marketing for suckers. They could actually replace the plastic with a true biodegradable material like corn starch. But why should we gardeners even care? The products are supposedly for convenience, but really, its actually easier to start a seed in a plastic pot and transplant when its ready. I don't understand adding an extra step to a well understood propagation pathway.

[@garrettb72]

​@@maccaberry1041the label says they are now made with corn starch. They must have seen your comment!

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍Thank you

[@robertsansone1680]

And roots can break concrete but they can't get through a Jiffy Pellet. Alright, I'll consider that the next time I'm drunk.

[@Aswaguespack]

I never had great results with Jiffy Peat pots either for some reason. A good plastic pot just can’t be beat.

[@Ibis333]

I tried them once, early on when I didn't have much experience. Complete garbage. You can't keep the seed starting mix moist because they wick away moisture so you have to be constantly watering them which makes them soggy on the bottom and promotes algae and fungus gnats. Then when you plant them out, in order to match the soil level inside with the grade you have to tear off the top of the pot. Then the squirrels think you've buried something curious and go about digging them all up.

[@Ibis333]

Oh, and they don't decompose very fast either.

[@dahutful]

I got rid of them . I soaked them, put the peat in the garden and tossed the mesh. I wouldn't buy them again

[@galbeeri8360]

i just cut the bottom

[@gregusmc2868]

WRONG! Earthworms are icky and you don’t want them anywhere near your garden. I use 2-liter plastic soda jugs, cut in half. I also use them for changing my oil because I can dump the old motor oil right down the sewer. Get with the times pal.

[@maureenmckenzielueder5942]

I did not have much success with them. A waste of money IMO