[rhysdad]

I'm aiming to start off some Broad beans, brussels, cauli's and maybe some cabbage and wondered if using my root trainer kit would be okay for all these different types of veggies? Thanks a lot!

[arugula]

They're suitable to start any seeds off, but their real use surely comes into play for starting seedlings which need to have a really good root, such as parsnips as but one example.

[Kristen]

I think they might be a bit small for Broad Beans, but I think the others should be OK.

I grow all my veg for transplanting in 9cm pots  - I imagine they aren't as straightforward as root-trainers but I think they:

Allow me to move the plants further apart as they develop (if they need space)

Allow me to "hold" the plants a bit longer - if, for example, the plot is not ready, or the weather not right for a Fair-Weather-Gardener like me - or even if we are away for a few days at the appropriate moment.

I'd be interested in other people's views on whether root-trainers mean that plants are very close together in the tray, or if that's a non-issue in practice?

[Kristen]

... their real use surely comes into play for starting seedlings which need to have a really good root, such as parsnips as but one example.

I would worry about Parsnips - I reckon root-trainers need a good rootball to hold the compost together when planting out, and I reckon Parsnips (with just a taproot when they are young) would mean that the compost "fell apart" when attempting to plant them out.

I've got one tray of root-trainers, but not used them much, so I'm not talking from experience.

[arugula]

We have good experience of using them for parsnips to name but one example. They have grooves down the inside surface to encourage a strong and straight root. They open and allow you to slide the young plant out. Care would have to be taken by which ever method you were transplanting parsnips.

[8doubles]

I use the long roottrainers for beetroot.IMO broad beans will not have enough room and Brassicas do not need soft treatment as you can plant them bare rooted without ill effect.

[Kristen]

Care would have to be taken by which ever method you were transplanting parsnips.

Indeed, sorry should have mentioned that I use newspaper pots, so Parsnips are planted out "whole" so-to-speak. Still needs gentle handling, but the newspaper keeps the rootball together.

[bigben]

Care would have to be taken by which ever method you were transplanting parsnips.

Indeed, sorry should have mentioned that I use newspaper pots, so Parsnips are planted out "whole" so-to-speak. Still needs gentle handling, but the newspaper keeps the rootball together.

Lots of us use them - check out http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=11390.0

[archibtbm]

i use root trainers for sweetcorn and broad beans, always successfull :-)

[Aidy]

I use them for runners, french beans and corn, broad beans I use the Terry Walton method, pop some dampish compost in a plastic bag, pop a few beans in each (depending on size of plastic bag) pop them somewhere warmish (not hot) and wait, after 5 days check to see if any are sprouting, when sprouting pop them in the ground, works every time and you know which will germinate.

[arugula]

Care would have to be taken by which ever method you were transplanting parsnips.

Indeed, sorry should have mentioned that I use newspaper pots, so Parsnips are planted out "whole" so-to-speak. Still needs gentle handling, but the newspaper keeps the rootball together.

I use them too.