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Volunteer Information - Setting up to Grow -
Collecting your kit> - FILLING THE TUBES -  Preparing the seeds> Sowing the seeds>

Read the instruction booklet from cover to cover. Follow the hygiene guidelines carefully - this is important

Hygiene –  is important not only for the health of the seedlings, but for your safety. Please ensure you wash your hand before and after handling and managing your seedlings.
While mostly low or non-toxic, the growing kit does contain Potting Mix. While this is generally a sterile mix, there is a low risk of contamination; it may carry bacteria or pathogens, as it does contain organic material.  There is a slight risk of inhaling pathogens such as Legionnaires Disease. To prevent this you can moistening the loose potting mix before handling, and/or wearing dust masks available at most hardware stores, to reduce dust and the risk of inhaling pathogens.

Fertiliser – The packets of osmacote are a slow release fertiliser. While low toxic, wash hands after use, and keep away from children and pets.

The filled tubes are the growing environment for your seedlings. It is very important that they are filled properly to ensure the seedlings have the best chance to develop a healthy root system.

The Steps
Prepare the potting mix.
  • Moisten the loose potting mix before filling the tubes. Damp potting mix is safer and easier to pack firmly into the tubes. If the potting mix is bone-dry, it is very difficult to wet properly once it is in the tubes.
  • The slow-release fertilizer is supplied in a sealed pack. One pack of fertilizer must be mixed thoroughly into the contents of one box of potting mix so that each tube gets an even amount. This can best be done in a clean wheelbarrow or tub.

Fill the tubes.
  • This is a time-consuming business, and if you organise a friend or two to help it is much quicker and more enjoyable.
  • The tubes can simply be used to scoop up the potting mix. The most important thing is to FILL the tube snugly so that there are NO AIR GAPS in it. Bump it on a firm surface to settle the contents, and top-up if necessary. Fill to within 10 mm of the top.
  • You can also use a trowel or narrow scoop to fill the tubes.
  • Pack the tubes back into the polystyrene box, remembering to remove the newspaper, which can be recycled or mulched. Tilt the box to prevent the tubes falling over, and pack the tubes into the box in neat rows. Pushing their bottoms together will help fit the required number into the boxes - 48 tubes.
Note:
  • Tubed potting mix which totally dries out before sowing should be soaked in a trough until wet through.
  • Remember the hygiene requirements - and clean the tub.
  • Do not pack down the potting mix too tightly as this will prevent water from draining freely through the tube.
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If you have any questions that are not answered,  situations that are not covered or suggested photos to add, please contact the office ph (03) 9650 9477 or email info@treeproject.asn.au Modified August 2006