Paperpot Transplanter Instructions for Use

Transcription

1 Paperpot Transplanter Instructions for Use 955 Benton Ave., Winslow, ME Phone: Fax: Web Site: Johnnyseeds.com Allowing a single person to transplant 264 seedlings in less than a minute, the Paperpot Transplanter is more than just a transplanter. It is a specialized system especially well-suited for the production of Alliums (onions, leeks, shallots, scallions etc.), which can become very labor intensive at a greater scale. There are many crops that are compatible with the Paperpot Transplanter, as well as a host of reasons a person might choose to grow them utilizing this tool. In addition to the transplanter itself, the following accessories are required to complete the Paperpot Transplanting System: Paperpot Seedling Trays Spreader Bars and Frame Paper Chain Pots the right sizes for your applications Optional, but increases efficiency: Paperpot Seeders the right sizes to match your Paper Chain Pots Paperpot Seedling Trays The foundation of the Paperpot System are the trays. These trays are slightly larger than the traditional 1020s commonly found anywhere. Instead, they are the standard European size tray, 11¾ inches x 23¾ inches x 1¼ inches. Made of perforated plastic, the trays have a long lifespan and can be reused for many seasons. Currently, at the Johnny s Selected Seeds Tools Trial Garden, trays purchased in 2010 are being used without trouble. Paper Chain Pots The paper chain pots come in a compressed form, and are offered in 2-, 4-, and 6-inch spacings. No matter the spacing, each has 264 cells and will fit into the seedling trays. The only difference is the amount of paper that connects each cell to the next. Spreader Bars and Frame The spreader bars and frame are used to stretch out the paper chain pots and hold them open to be filled with growing media. Once familiar with the process of expanding and filling trays, you ll find it almost goes as fast as filling a traditional plastic tray with potting mix. Note: The spreader bars shown are slightly different than those purchasable. 1

2 CROP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PAPER CHAIN POTS There are a couple of considerations to keep in mind when deciding on which crops to seed into the Paper Chain Pots. 1. Spacing: The pot with the largest spacing allows for no more than 6-inch in-row spacing. Be sure to seed crops that perform well at that proximity, like onions, leeks, scallions, and shallots. 2. Cell size: No matter the in-row spacing, the cells of the Paper Chain Pots are small 1¼ inch x 1¼ inch. Avoid crops that develop a taproot or are quick to become root bound. Recommended crops In-row Spacing # of cells/tray Approximate length Vegetables Herbs Flowers 2 inches feet Asian greens, lettuce mix, Cilantro bunching onions, spinach 4 inches feet Asian greens, beets, Basil, cilantro Cut-flower basil kohlrabi (not storage types), cipollini onions, mini onions, specialty onions, Swiss chard 6 inches feet Leeks, head lettuce, onions, shallots Basil Cut-flower basil Note: The crops listed above are only a guideline. Your production system may use spacings that are greater, or smaller, than the recommendations here. As with any tool, the more you use the Paperpot Transplanter, the more readily you will be able to dial it in to your specific needs. Look for more recommendations from Johnny s as we conduct more trials in the Tools Trial Garden. PREPARING AND SEEDING THE TRAYS 1. Start with paper chain pots that match the desired spacing of the crop you intend to sow as mentioned before, these provide 2-, 4-, and 6-inch spacings. It is important to note that no matter the spacing, each will have a total of 264 cells and will have the same footprint. If you find you need to easily identify the spacing of the paper chain pots prior to spreading them, look at the large, bold numbers on the side of them and confer with this chart: Chain Spacing 2-inch 4-inch 6-inch Number CP303 LP LP To begin preparing a tray for seeding, lift the flaps on either side of the paper chain pot and insert the spreader bars into the sleeves. 2

3 3. Pull the spreader bars apart to expand the cells, revealing their honeycomb pattern. Place edges of the outermost cells over the frame, which holds the cells open while you fill it with soil. Notice all but one of the retaining pegs of the frame is in a straight line; the offset peg corresponds to the last row of cells, which is slightly shorter (see: below, right). 4. Place an empty tray over the expanded honeycomb cells. Flip the tray and cells over so that they are right-side-up. Fill the tray with an excess of planting media, pack the cells, and remove any excess media. Planting media selection: The small size of the cells limits your choice of viable planting media for a few reasons. 1. It needs to be able to uniformly fill each cell, so a relatively fine consistency in needed. 2. Because the cells are a small, it is a good idea to use a mix that holds moisture a compostbased planting media does this well. Johnny s 512 Mix has been used with great success, even though it sometimes contains larger pieces of organic material. 5. Once the tray is filled, remove the frame, as the cells will now hold shape. Continue seeding as you would a traditional plastic tray. 3

4 Paperpot Seeders: Due to the sheer number of cells per tray, and the size of those cells, seeding by hand can be a cumbersome process. The Paperpot Seeder is a helpful accessory to help greatly speed up the seeding process. There are 3 sizes of seeding plates for different sized seeds: 3.2mm, 3.5mm, and 4.5mm. The Paperpot Seeders have 2 layers, each with holes drilled to match the configuration of the cells. The top layer of holes is purposefully misaligned from the bottom, and is filled by adding seed to the plate and shaking it back and forth until each hole has a seed in it. The seeding plate is then placed on top of the filled tray, and the 2 layers are aligned so that the seed drops through and into all 264 cells at once. BED PREPARATION FOR TRANSPLANTING Just as you would for a precision seeder, the Paperpot Transplanter requires a well-prepared bed to be most effective when transplanting. A loose, friable soil produces the best results. Rocks, chunks of manure or compost, or stringy weed and root residues can cause the Paperpot Transplanter to transplant at less than its best. We recommend removing all debris from the bed, incorporating any necessary soil amendments, and smoothing out the top of the bed prior to transplanting. TRANSPLANTING 1. When the seedlings are at the correct transplanting size, begin by adjusting the planting depth of the Paperpot Transplanter. The adjustable wheel stem controls the depth. To plant deeper, use the lowest setting. To plant shallower, raise the adjustment. Ideal planting depth may vary depending on your soil conditions. 2. With the correct planting depth set, adjust the height of the handle bars to an ergonomic height. 3. Take the seedling extractor plate and a tray with transplant-ready seedlings. Insert the seedling extractor plate into the end of the tray, as shown to the left, carefully sliding it under the seedlings. 4

5 4. Place the tray on the tray platform, just above the silver ramp that is attached to the Paperbot body. Slide the silver ramp between the seed extractor plate and the seedlings. 5. Place the Paperpot transplanter n position at the end of the row, pull the Paperpot Transplanter forward. The underside of the body has a plow that creates a furrow, in which the seedlings are funneled into. Pull the Paperpot Transplanter forward the small roller wheels are just past the start of the furrow. 6. Pull the end of the paper chain loose and feed it down the transplanter until it is even with the rollers and use a stake to secure it. For the first few feet, pull slowly so as not to yank the stake loose. The rollers will place soil over the paper chain and hold it in place. Once a few feet have been buried, you can pull at a normal walking pace. REV 05/17/2017 MN, RC 5