Volunteer in my seedling tray?

9 years ago

Can anyone identify this seedling? I have one in both my Coyote Tomato and Bell Pepper trays, and i'm starting to think it is neither of those. Could it possible be a volunteer form my seed starting mix?

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Comments (7)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years ago
What the heck is that mix? It's pretty rough looking, lol.
Peter (6b SE NY)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Looks like a weed to me... definitely not a tomato or pepper.
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Donn, I have quite a few Miscanthus volunteer seedlings in my zone 5 garden in the past few years. Our summers are getting a bit hotter AND the autumns are definitely getting a lot longer. This gives the plants more time to mature and ripen the seed which in turn gives us more seedlings. I actually have some decent sized plants growing along the side of our 'hard topped' road in the gravel. Miscanthus s. Gracillimus is definitely reliably hardy for both zone 5 and zone 4 gardens /BUT - it doesn't alway bloom for us up here in the north. This is seeming more like a desireable trait when speaking of volunteer seedlings. I have found that the volunteers are often far more vigorous than the cultivars and can easily overtake them if they sow into a clump. imark, the only reliable way to propagate a cultivar is by division. So ... calling your grass a Gracillimus or Zebrinus seedling is a much safer way to go rather than saying that it is a replica of the cultivar (too much sex involved in seed production). as a matter of fact your 'Strictus' in the photos looks very much like a cross between Zebrinus and Strictus. My Strictus has absolutely no droop in the upper leaves - it is totally stiff. If you are worried about the grasses self-sowing and causing a problem maybe you should look for those that bloom later rather than earlier. I can think of a lot less desirable looking weeds :o) A.
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theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
From the link the OP gave: "Soil-less Natural Beginnings is based on coir, the short fiber from coconuts. Because coir is porous,it allows air to circulate, reducing the incidence of root diseases. Compared to peat moss, coir retains more moisture and nutrients and is easier to keep wet. Coir lasts up to four times as long as peat and can be reused several times for successive so wings. In addition to coir, Natural Beginnings contains worm castings and meal worm guano as natural nutrient sources; the castings also enhance aeration and water retention. Contains enough to fill more than 4 standard seed-starting trays (13" x 32")."

The seedling in question is definitely not a tomato or pepper. It either came from the worm castings or the meal worm guano. Pull it.

And at $25 for only a 16 quart bag, I would personally choose something much, much less pricey (not to mention more finely textured and uniform) to use next time. But what to use is your choice and if you like the mix then go ahead and use it.

Rodney
morz8 - Washington Coast
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Anyone considering coir based mediums vs peat based for seed starting might want to browse the comparison photos here:

http://cpl.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/pub__9468201.pdf
beesneeds
9 years ago
It looks like grass to me. Got no idea what kind of grass though.
Sarah Raven
9 years ago
I enjoy finding volunteers in my soil, however I agree with the others this does not look like a tomato or pepper, it is most likely grass. I got a similar volunteer like this last year but that is because I mulch with dried straw/hay.
itsbrad
Original Author
9 years ago
I don't understand why i should care if its "rough looking" and "finely textured and uniform". This is and extreme close-up, its dried out, and is possible "rough" b/c of the way i filled the trays in (loosely). That coir info is good stuff though, ill be sure to use peat for my homemade mix.

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Volunteer in my seedling tray?

Comments (7)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

Peter (6b SE NY)

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theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)

morz8 - Washington Coast

beesneeds

Sarah Raven

itsbrad
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Volunteer in my seedling tray?

Comments (7)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

Peter (6b SE NY)

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theforgottenone1013 (SE MI zone 5b/6a)

morz8 - Washington Coast

beesneeds

Sarah Raven

itsbradOriginal Author

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itsbrad
Original Author