Can I take off the duct tape now?

14 years ago

Hi everyone,

Newbie here, and just got my very first sprouts today! Had a question about what to do now though...I posted this question in an earlier thread on a different topic, but thought it needed it's own thread, so sorry about the repeat...

Anyway, right now my milk jugs are all taped closed with duct tape. When I cut the drainage holes in the milk jugs originally, I also made two little holes for a future pipe cleaner closure. Should I now remove the duct tape on the jugs that have sprouted, and keep those jugs just loosely closed with the pipe cleaner closure? Or should I keep the jugs that have sprouts duct taped a little while longer?

In the jugs I have sprouts in, I only have a couple of sprouts in each so far. Right now the weather report for this week in our area is daytime highs around 70, with night-time lows around 40 degrees F. My milk jugs get morning sun until about 11 to 11:30 am, and then are in total shade (from a building) for the rest of the afternoon.

Thanks in advance and you all again! I'm so excited about my sprouts!!!!

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Comments (10)

lisa33
14 years ago
Just wanted to second your question! I'm a newbie wondering, "What now?" I have sprouts in numerous containers and the weather is warm this week (around 70 for several days). I am afraid that my sprouts will cook! A recent thread about having containers on the north side of the house also confused me. Should the containers get sun or not?

I took the tops off of my mesclun and arugula containers, but some of the others have me really confused--especially the teeny tiny sprouts. I'm nervous!

Thanks in advance for guidance from experienced WS'ers.

Lisa
monkey665
14 years ago
HI

I'm not a pro. I have only been doing this for a couple of years but I have had sprouts for about 1 1/2 weeks now. I have taken the covers off mine that have sprouts. on days below 55 and nights i cover them all with a plastic sheet. one that I got off a ups box that was delivered (not that thick) Mine have been fine. I even have peas and cucumbers.

Linda
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trudi_d
14 years ago
LEave the duct tape on, just make sure the cap is off. The spout of a milk bottle works like a flue and all the sun-warmed air will vent quickly out.

T
monkey665
14 years ago
OK Trudi now i'm confused. I thought once you had sprouts you were suppose to take the top off so that they didn't roast and die. They needed air circulation. Please explain. Do you need the top on for better germination and if so when do you take the tops off.

Linda
lisa33
14 years ago
How about other types of containers? Most of mine are hinged bakery containers, so there is no "flue" action.

Thanks so much!

Lisa
topie
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you so much Trudi! I appreciate the info... I'll keep the duct tape on and wait until it is warmer to open up the milk jug "tops" at the hinge.

Is there any particular daytime or night-time temperature or month in Zone 6 (like in April or something?) we should keep an eye out for as far as un-taping and top removal?
token28001
14 years ago
If you see the second set of leaves on perennials, plant them out in the garden. Then you don't have to worry about roasting them in their containers. If you still don't have the second leaves, just be mindful if the temperature is above 65 and you have them sitting in full sun. Tomorrow, we're supposed to be in the mid 70s. All my sprouted containers will be topless before noon. I'll do as suggested above and use a sheet of plastic to cover them all at night, if it's going to be below freezing. Otherwise, I leave them open.
northforker
14 years ago
In my zone 7 jug jungle, which gets dabbled sun almost all day on the west side of the house, all tops are on and taped. While is has gotten a little bit warmer and there are some sprouts, "everybody's fine"

Now I have "cooked" a few jugs and containers in my day, don't get me wrong, but NOT in March. I usually start planting out perennials around Easter and most annuals have grown to a size by Mothers day that has me taking off the tops to give them room more than any worry about cooking them.

What have I cooked? Jugs that sprouted late (like mid-may) and I've been so busy planting in early June that I have ignored them and not gotten their tops off. In the early spring (now) I really think they are fine as long as they are not in full intense sun for long periods. But you need to know your particular conditions. Zone 7 Long Island is not the same as Zone 7 N. Carolina in the spring. In Zone 6 PA, I'd be leaving those tops on for a bit.

Nancy
topie
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everybody, all the info helps a lot! I have the feeling as I get more experienced with winter sowing, I can kind of figure out when to open the tops based on when another plant or tree is blooming. Like, "not when the daffodils first bloom" but "once the columbine is blooming" or "when the dogwoods are in bloom", or something like that.

Will keep an eye on temperature and sun on the containers though...and if we're sowing non-milk-jug containers like bakery containers, they need to have some vent holes in the top, right? I haven't used any bakery containers yet, but am wondering that for the future too.
northforker
14 years ago
Yes, those clear box containers do need vent holes. But I've never done the "make the the holes bigger and bigger and bigger" as the season progresses thing because I want to use my clear boxes from year to year. I have just peeled back a corner and placed a stick in to prop the top up a bit to "vent".

Soemtimes these tops do take off in the wind this way, but I tend to visit my sprouts each evening and if something has blown off I just find in and put it back on (with the venting stick)

Can I take off the duct tape now?

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Can I take off the duct tape now?

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