[shokkyy]

Every year when I sow onions in modules, I always lose the ones in the modules in the four corners of the tray. I think it's because, when I water from beneath, the corner modules never seem to get as much water as the other modules, no matter how deep the water. Anyone else have this problem? If so, any ideas how to fix it?

[DD.]

Water from the top?

[m1ckz]

 

[gavinjconway]

Water from the top?

Ditto short and sweet answer.. 

[shokkyy]

I don't like watering seedlings from above. It's very easy to squash them if they just get a bit too much weight of water on them, and I also think it's more likely to cause damping off problems than watering from below.

[DD.]

I agree when it comes to less sturdy seedlings, but as all my alliums are sitting in cat litter trays on the floor of the greenhouse, they get it from the watering can.

The reply was actually serious!

[Salmo]

The problem of odd cells drying out, not neccessarily corner ones, can be a problem. Often it is because the cells were not packed as firmly as the rest so you should pay attention to preparation. Keep watering from the bottom but be prepared to top up a few cells from the top. A turkey baster is good for that.

[Benandbill]

Hmm, I always plant sets, I think I'll start off a few seeds this year to see how I get on.  I guess the best way would be one or 2 seeds per module thin thin them as roots don't like disturbance and you wouldn't want them to get tangled?

[Totty]

I always sow a couple per cell, then thin to one. The watering issue is,as mentioned, down to uneven firmness. By pouring a load of compost into the middle of the cell tray then spreading it about, the inner trays will be denser and will dry out slower.

Totty

[shokkyy]

That hadn't occurred to me but I suspect you're right. Thanks for that, I'll pay more attention to that in future.

[Trillium]

When I fill my modules I finger poke soil/mix into every cell so I get an even amount. I too water from the top and after a few minutes I tip off the whole tray to drain excess water. I do it at the kitchen sink, which drives OH bonkers, but that's life   

[Cake Lady]

Sorry to hijack the thread...

I've sown some onion seeds in flat seed trays and they're just starting to produce a second leaf.  I was going to try and pot them up today but have little room for them inside - will they be ok in a plastic greenhouse?  I know onions are usually quite hardy but I'm not sure about seedlings.

Thanks

[DD.]

They should be fine.

[hightide]

I was going to suggest using capilliary matting; then I noticed one dry cell right there in the corner.
The other trays are fine though the greedy pig in the corner wasn't any bigger than the others, so maybe I didn't tamp that cell down hard enough.