How to use Jiffy Pots

Jiffy pots are the small wafer disks found in garden centers and used for starting seeds. They are easy to use, easy to store and relatively inexpensive. With jiffy pots no additional potting soil is needed to start seedlings. Here's how to use jiffy pots.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jiffy pots
• Pot tray or any deep pan
• Boiling water

1. Lay the wafers in the tray or pan you have chosen. Place them in such a way that each is touching and they do not have room to move around or fall over.

2. Boil enough water to fill the pan or tray half full.

3. Pour the boiling water over the jiffy pots, making sure to soak each individual wafer thoroughly.

4. Wait for the jiffy pots to expand and the water to cool.

5. Drain off the excess water when the pots have fully expanded.

6. Plant one seed in the center hole of each jiffy pot.

7. Place in a south facing window or a greenhouse. Once the seeds have germinated, keep a small amount water in the bottom of the tray to keep the pot moist but not soaked.

8. Plant the entire pot in the garden or in another container when the plant is several inches tall or when the weather conditions in your area are safe for the young plant.

Tips & Warnings

• It is recommended to use boiling water when expanding jiffy pots. This helps to kill any mycelium or other bacteria that may be in the water or in the potting mixture.
• Starting a fast growing flower or vegetable plant in a jiffy pot inside another small pot is a wonderful way to teach children the love of plants and nature.
• If you see any signs of mold or mycelium begin to form on a pot, remove it from the pan so that it doesn’t infect the other seedlings.