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Stiraphone breaks easly.

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Been using for 8 years - have just replaced first set.

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I have started african violet leaves sucessfully---and plan to continue using your wonderful product. As well, great for starting my garden seeds of tomatoes & bell peppers! Our seedlings were very hardy and tranplanted fantastically!

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Great starter

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Mat was inferior to the mat previously supplied with the APS replacement parts. Seems too dense.

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A couple of reviewers suggest that coupling APS units with a heat mat works great, while gardeners.com states the two are not 'recommended' to be used together. The truth is the APS system, plus a heat mat makes a great combo for people like me in a colder environment, and adding a thermostat with probe to regulate the heat mat is unbeatable. I had to do a bit of research and experimenting to figure out how to best accomplish this, and while it's simple, I wanted to create this review for those new to gardening like me, as it was not immediately obvious. Simply combine the products in the following order: styrofoam pegboard with pegs facing down, heat mat on top of that, styrofoam cells on top of heat mat, greenhouse cover on top of styrofoam cells. Keep the whole thing away from drafts/cold windows so the heat mat doesn't have to work as hard. Using the pegboard as a base provides insulation so the heat mat is not wasting heat warming up your floor, table, whatever. The heat mat thus provides much-needed warmth directly to the bottom of the styrofoam cells. You're not using the capillary system, but the greenhouse cover traps the moisture you added to your seedstarting mix. If I'm starting a long-germinating seed and the matrix begins to look a little dry, I just gently moisten. Also I tend to germinate a variety of seeds with different-length germination periods simultaneously, I just pop out cells that have germinated, and drop them into a different APS under grow lights to continue growing, freeing up space in the heated 'nursery' for something else.

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I first purchased this system over 15 years and the plastic water reservoir fit nicely inside a styrafoam base. The new purchase didn't have the base - just the plastic reservoir. It's much easier to move the unit around with the old sturdy base.

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I am an avid vegetable gardener and have a degree in horticulture. I have worked in greenhouses and professional growing operations (but have since switched career paths and have been out of the "business" for 10 years). After using the big box store seed starting "mini-greenhouse" kits for many years, I decided that I wanted something more sustainable that would last longer than one season and provide better water regulation. So I ordered the APS starter kit and one Deep Root Seed Starting System from GS. This review is primarily about the APS, but I will touch on the other where needed for comparison. I must say that I was dissapointed when I opened the box containing my APS 24 units. The first thing that I thought was I paid [$] for this? I bought 2 APS units and the seed starting mix as part of their kit. It is not mentioned anywhere in the description, but the seed cells are made from styrofoam and the reservoir and cover are made from a very flimsy plastic. The materials weren't any better than the $6 greenhouse kits that I had been buying. I was hoping to get something that I could re-use for multiple seasons, but I'm not sure if this will make it past the first year.I have cycled through one batch of seedlings and the unit does work well, but you have to be careful not to keep things too wet (in other words don't keep the reservoir full initially) otherwise the soil stays too moist and could promote damping off fungal infections that will kill your seedlings. After you have small plants in there that are actually taking up water, the reservoir is more effective. The excess dampness also promotes algae growth which I had a problem with initially.I find that the design makes for easy removal of the seedlings. Flip the tray stand over and align the posts with the holes inthe bottom of the cells and they just pop out. The roots of the seedlings grow into the capillary mat in a dense web and are impossible to remove from the mat. I am anticipating that I will have to replace the mat after a couple of cycles. The clear plastic top is not tall enough and the seedlings will eventually force its removal which means that you lose the climate control capabilities of the top sooner than desired, especially if you are starting your seedlings indoors where it may be cooler (basement/garage). The Deep Root top is much taller and better suited for this purpose. The wooden labels that come in the kit are too tall for the top and need to be cut down to size in order to get the top to fit. Not a huge deal, but not well thought out by the GS folks.The styrofoam cells trap dirt and algae in the pores and are impossible to get completely clean. Good gardening practice dictates that you should have everything clean for your seed starting process. It is impossible to do this for anything but the first batch of seed starting using the APS. The styrofoam won't survive high pressure water jet, chemical cleaners or the dishwasher heat so cleaning with a sponge with soap and water is the only option and that still doesn't get them completely clean. If you have a fungal problem or algae problem, they are just going to hide out in the pores and wait for the next batch of seedlings. The Deep Root system has hard plastic trays that can be cleaned in the dishwasher and don't trap dirt and debris.Eventually the parts and pieces of this kit will need replacement. You will need new cell trays because of the cleaning issue and you will need a new capillary mat because of the root growth into the mat. No problem as you can get these parts from GS, but the cost of ownership and sustainability aren't that good if you have to keep replacing parts. The $6 "mini-greenhouse" kits that I was using are a lower cost and just as effective option. The only leg up that the APS system has over what I was using is the capillary mat for better water regulation once the seedlings have sprouted. The final straw for me on the APS happened yesterday. I transplanted all of my seedlings, cleaned out the trays and cells and placed everything in the sun to dry on a 65 degree day. I came back later and the black bottom tray had melted in the sun and warped. GS doesn't sell replacement reservoir trays anymore so I can't even re-use the rest of the kit for a second batch of seedlings.If you want a quality product that is built to last, this isn't it. You're better off buying the Deep Root system from GS for a better experience. The Deep Root system has all of the good thing that the APS has with out any of the bad things. The construction is more durable, it uses better materials, it is easier to clean, the top is taller (with vents), and it will last for years.

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I have used these for several years and they work great. We've had great success with them.

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I use this product mostly to start tomato and pepper plants in the late winter.

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New reservoirs are more flimsy than older, styrofoam parts.

Also, what happened to APS-30? Was great for small, slow growing seeds.

I think you need to offer replacements for the pegboard and planting cells. These are the parts that need replacing most often.

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Love the product. Have gardened and used them for many years but the mice have been hard on them. Need to replace styrofoam parts.Think they should also be available. Never could start seeds before using these products. The seed starter soil is also great.

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I received your APS as hand-me-downs from my mom (a master gardner). Last year I ordered complete systems from you because I find them so easy to use and I needed more. This year I ordered replacement parts for the old ones, I'm very thankful that they are available to me. One bit of advice that I have to remove the roots that grow into the mat is to use an old hair brush after everything is completely dry to gentle brush away the debris.

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I have not purchased mats (or other parts, i.e. reservoirs) for my APS in 10 years. These mats are much better at wicking the water from the reservoir to the plants.

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The replacement reservoirs look like the molding was not as clean as the new units. All the ends are rippled and the plastic is not smooth like it is on the new one I purchased. They seem thinner than the ones I have in the past. I have been purchasing them for years, have about a dozen. Hope these hold up!

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It's great to have these parts around. Especially if one of your other sets gets broken. However, the parts I really wanted - the styrofoam parts - aren't available. It would be especially useful to have the base post piece available as a separate part.

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I ordered replacement parts for APS systems that I've been using for about ten years. I particularly like the new design of the wicking mats. The APS system is absolutely the best for starting seeds indoors.

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I like the overall kit but the styrofoam does deteriorate and I noticed you don't sell that as a replacement part which means that in order to get one I have to buy a whole new system which I don't need. The mats are good for several uses and I have had 100% success with my flowers and vegetables that I grow using this system. However, while vegetables grow great, the roots are very long and are hard to get off the capillary mat.

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I purchased the APS years ago when they first came out. However, last year and this year I replaced the old ones due to the use over the years. The new design of the reservoirs and capillary mats are of poor quality, with the reservoirs to flimsy and the capillary mats don't wick the water as good as the old when did. Don't try and "improve" something if it was perfect the first time!

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The part that falls apart is of course the part that you don't offer replacements for. The replacement parts available are all parts that don't self destruct.I have excess resevoirs, covers and capillary mats, but that part that actually holds the dirt and plant is the only part that doesn't hold up year after year.

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The capillary mats for the APS system work extremely well, saving me the hassle of watering every few days. In addition, absorbing water from the bottom of the cell instead of pouring it on top prohibits overwatering or damaging the seedlings. My only complaint is that the roots to tend to grow into the mat, making them nearly impossible to clean. Therefore, I order new mats each year.

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My multi-part APS units have only one part that's worn out, so I can replace that one part for a fraction of the cost of buying an entirely new set. I discovered APS units for starting seedlings in the early 1990s and I'm just replacing the reservoir units now.

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The two parts, growing tray and pegboard stand, that become contaminated, cannot be sterilized and need replacing are unavailable. WHY???

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The APS system is the best I have ever used. These newer black plastic reservoirs,however,are too flimsy. They twist and perforate easily, necessitating almost yearly replacement. The plastic should be much more durable!

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While I love the APS system, the capillary mats are my least favorite parts. When they work, they are wonderful, but not all of them seem to work consistently. I've found myself buying extras just to be able to swap them out if they don't work. Fortunately the are cheap so it's not a problem. And since the APS system itself is so great, it's a flaw I can live with.

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I have used these since the 1980s and they are the best seed starting system around. They used to come with a styrofoam reservoir which made them easy to carry, stronger, and now the reservoir is a real piece of junk, so here I am today, yet again ordering replacement parts. But, on the whole, they provide the best temperature/moisture/light and protection for baby plantlettes. PLEASE GARDENERS SUPPLY, go back to the old reservoirs!

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Used all season long to provide water to germating plants (mostly tomatos) in a greenhouse.

Also cut into strips and used to water upside down, hanging, tomatoe plants in a greenhouse.

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I have used the APS system from Gardener's Supply for many years. They used to come with a thin, white capillary mat that always did a good job of delivering the water to the soil in the APS systems I used. A few years back, this company switched to a thicker, gray capillary system that I've had trouble with ever since. Some mats do their job and soak up the water and keep the soil moist. Other times, these mats inexplicably dry out in certain places and I find dry soil in several cells. I know how to use these, I follow the instructions to a tee, but I'd give my best spade away if they'd switch back to the original capillary matting. I only endure this inconsistency, because I really like using the APS system.

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Definitely recommend this product. Have tried other propogation products from this site as well as the big box stores. The seeds in the APS frames always have the highest propogation levels. Love them.

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My husband and I start seeds every spring and have used your APS systems for years. Then we ordered some new systems. Gone are the old styrofoam reservoir trays. The new reservoirs are flimsy, hard to carry and will not last like the old ones. I know products are made in cheaper ways as costs climb, but the difference in the systems we purchased years ago and the recent ones we purchased disappointed us. We still use them and even ordered some more replacement parts, but the quality is not what it once was.

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Been using the system for 15 years. Eventually the parts get beat up and need replacing. No bid deal considering the low cost.

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You won't regret trying the APS or your own setup with the capillary mat. It really takes all the hassle out of watering and seedlings grow great with no disease or damping off.

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Makes seed starting so easy, practically maintenance free.

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the abs system is a really good product and easy to use. i have used it for 6 years. however, it should be made out of a sturdier styrofoam or plastic. the styrofoam breaks easy. this is a good product that could be made into a great product.

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Seed starting to transfer to garden.I'm running 8 of these using them about twice a season. For the mat. It seems to break down after the seasons uses. Yet this is understandable. I tried garlic. Within a week the bulbs rooted through the mat into the water. Couldn't get the roots out and smell. So I replace them. I'm going to try [...] this fall to see how that mat does. I do like your mat. But I do wrap it around both edges. Little short on water supply but seems to do a better job watering under grow lights. Also the cover needs to be an inch taller. Or offer a extended ring between the tray and cover. This gives like tomato plants a little more room.

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The APS is a fool-proof seed starting system. Couple it with a seedling heat mat and a grow light system, and you'll have seedlings emerging in record time. I've reused mine for more than 5 years, only occasionally needing to replace some of the parts.

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I have about 40 of the APS seedstarting units going at once. I prefer the 40-cell version because it allows me to start several seeds of one variety of vegetable in each cell. I label them with wooden coffee stirrers. When they are large enough to transplant to pots, the design of the cell makes it so easy to pop out the small seedlings and gently transfer them to a larger pot. My small-scale garden business focuses on organic, heirloom varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs, and some perennials. My passion is tomatoes - each year I grow more than 250 varieties. The APS kits allow me to start plants indoors early in the season, and move them to the greenhouse when weather permits. I even have some of the original style offered many years ago - the one with the styrofoam base and plastic tray insert. They are still useful. I think this is one of the most creative, well-designed, and durable seedstarting kit on the market. Thanks.

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This system is a self contained seed starting greenhouse. You only need seed and germinating soil and a light source and you're set to go. This has been the most productive seed germination I have ever experienced - 97%. My best before this year was about 80%. Be careful in the number of seeds you use. You'll be giving away many plants that you can't possibly use.

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I use these exclusively to keep a constant moisture suplly to starting medium for my garden seeds. It never gets them to soggy or lets the medium dry out. This product ups the germination rate.

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The APS system is simply the easiest and best way to start seeds I have ever used. Strong seedlings can be transplanted directly into the garden if the right sizes are used. Careful handling makes these systems last for years so the price is spread out over several growing seasons.

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Your APS growing system is great. I have been using it along with your starting mix and fertilizer for at least 10 years. I like that you can order the components of the system separately. The APS system makes growing from seed very easy and convenient.

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I purchased my first APS system many years ago then had to give up gardening for several years. This winter I pulled my APS 12, 24, and 40 systems out of the garage and found them in good shape except for some of the bases and a top which I had cracked through improper storage. I ordered the replacement parts and am now growing great seedlings!

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I've been using these seed starters for several years now. While I do note some algae growth, I wash it as well as I can and I haven't noticed any problems with seedlings year after year. A couple of the cells on the edge have broken, but I suppose that is to be expected after six years or so, and one winter mice nibbled a bit as I store them in the garage. I don't like the new capillary mats as well as the older ones because they can't be reused a second time, at least mine couldn't be, due to extreme growth of roots that ripped the mat when I tried to remove them. I have never had the water trays crack and the only plastic cover that yellowed was one that was out in the sun for quite a while. Generally these get used only under lights before seedlings go into the hoop house to be hardened off. I'd say this is a real, failproof way to start seeds, guaranteed to succeed which is important every year but especially when you're first starting out.

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The product overall is fantastic! My students were able to help assemble, add dirt, set up the watering system,...the whole process. My complaint is when the end of the season for these parts of our planting came. I took everything apart and found that the styrofoam planting part had grown things that weren't supposed to be there! Some of them also crumbled apart when I tried removing my seedlings. I was disappointed when I found that that one piece is not replaceable, so this year I am stuck trying to construct an alternative to this piece so that I can still use this wonderful product! Seeds grown with this housing vs. other plain plastic housing grow 10x faster. Last year we started a little too early, thought there would be lots of time! What should have grown over a 2 week period was blooming in 1 week! So it's a great product, just be careful with the seed planting piece.

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Having the extra mats extends the number of seasons that I can use the APS units.

Not great: I wish APS would provide ALL the other separate parts that make up a unit.

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I have been using your APS propagation sets for several years and am very happy with them. One suggestion for the capillary mats: as the two surfaces are different, it would seem that they should be placed in a particular way but there is no indication on the mats as to which is better.

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I have used this system for years. These were replacement parts. It's easy to get the seeds planted and the system maintains a great (moist) environment pretty much on their own. Only downside for me is that the seedlings need to be repotted.

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This product is easy to use and works well for one season, but other than the styrofoam shell, most of the parts need replacement either yearly or at most after 3 years. The mats get moldy and infiltrated with roots, the covers yellow after several years and therefore begin to exclude light and the liner for the water well is flimsy and cracks after a year or two.

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Not utterly flimsy, but of about medium thickness. Good for use with 15 cells deep seed starting insert (is slightly bigger than this, so easy to put in water. Can mix and match parts of various seed starting products, and can use with wicking mat. Not a permatray, but much cheaper and serviceable.

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This is the best feature I have seen in a long time. It reduces the chanced of me "Loving my seedlings to death", Over watering. The plant takes only the amount of water it needs and nothing more. Fantastic. I hope the person that thought this up makes a mint.

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Replacement capillary mats are better quality than those supplied with the old APS systems.

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I start my 50 pepper plants every year with this product. I get a very high success rate on germination and strength of plants. I can't imagine starting seeds without it.

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They are sturdy and last a few years, easy to use. They do what they are advertised to do. I have tried other seed starting equipment, and these are the best I have used.

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does a great job

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Used them for over 10 years. Start all my seeds with almost 100% germination rates. APS 12 and 24 easy to move around and transplant up from. Only problem I have had is when picking up styrofoam tops if you aren't careful the corner will break off. I have at least 6 APS 12's with one or two cells not useable and that piece is not replaceable??

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I liked the kind you used to sell better. They were easier to handle and seemed to retain moisture better. I am never quite sure which side should be on top.

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Use this product to start up seedlings each year.

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I use these to start all my vegetables and flowers, it works great because my selection to what I want to grow is only limited by availabillity of the seed.

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I have used these now for the 4th year - I replaced the cappilary mats after two years. This is the best system I have used and I've been starting veggie and flower seeds for over 20 years!

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purchases in 1990
Can order replacements parts
have been around a long time
works great
seedling get right amount of water
I use germinating mix From Gardenere Supply to start my seedlings off to a good start.

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I have 4 older models than I bought about 10 years ago. They are very sturdy and do not break easily. I purchased the current models and they are quite flimsy. The pot section breaks even when I pick it up without any soil in it. Only replacement part that cannot be ordered is the pot section and that is what breaks first. I like the way the seeds germinate and the ease is transplanting from the APS but the breakage factor has to be considered Cost effective?

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I love these seed starters. They are very effective. It is nice to be able to get replacement parts, but I would like to be able to get replacement parts for all of it, not just part of it. Especially the styrofoam parts which are the most susceptible to breakage.

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I have had my current APS system for two years and it works great, I recently ordered two capillary mats to add for next year. The mats absorb the water well and help the seedlings get a great start. They never dry out.

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I love the idea of APS! But in usage, the foam soil holders break really easily - even when I was being extra careful so that wouldn't happen.It looks to me like a manufacturing problem. That is, a few of the APs I bought were really compressed well so individual beads of styro weren't visible. These have held up very well with no breakage. Most of the APS weren't compressed as well - individual beads are visible and pop off. When I pick those ones up, pieces break off in my hand even if empty before I fill or being rinsed off. I have continued to try to use them because I invested so much in them. If they were compressed and fused a bit better or more uniformly, the product would be much better! Thanks

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These trays are the easiest and most reliable way I've found to start all of my garden seeds! I live in Northern Colorado and I have a large vegetable garden. But I also work away from home during the week, so I find it almost impossible to keep seeds at the right temperature and moisture level in our unpredictable climate. Using a heat mat and your terrific Germinating Mix makes all the difference!

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The new grey capillary mats don't work at all. They don't wick the water up the way the original mats do. I had to keep watering my seedlings from the top because the mat dried out at one end, even though the water level in the bottom tray was full. I would rather buy an entire roll of the good stuff than use these again!

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Versatile. i created my own seed starting kits using these mate and they worked fine.

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Since I tried this product years ago, I have used it every year to start my new seeds. To ensure proper underwatering, the pad wicks up moisture to the cavities; the lid holds in this moisture; and the foam base flips over to push out the seedlings when ready. This enables me to handle the young plants without damaging them.It is great not to have to deal with individual pots which get lost and stepped on!

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I bought these as replacements for the mats I originally received with APS seed starting kits. These do not move water nearly as well as the orginal matting material. Several of them (more than half of the APS units I had seeded) stopped drawing water altogether and I lost 3 trays of seedlings. Gardeners Supply refunded my purchase but I now have lost one of the main benefits of the APS trays - soil level watering. I am still searching for an alternative matting.

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I made wooden boxes in which to place the plastic water reservoir. This adds durability and support.

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I've used the APS system for years and highlight it in my Master Gardener lectures. I find the most important part of seed production is not allowing the soil to dry out. With other methods, that's easier said than done.

I love the units with 12 compartments as I can start more manageable quantities of different flowers. However, the tray seems to fit into the reservoir too tightly---still useable, just annoying. It's not an issue with the bigger units.

If you're interested in growing the award winners before they hit the market, you'll love starting them using the APS system.

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Finally found a product that works great - my seedlings get transplanted into the next size available and off they go - my garden never looked so great.

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These kits help home gardenrs grow the best seedlings ever. Because of this product I am not limited to the varieties offerede by local nurseries and home improvement centers. I can grow any variety of vegatable or flowers without having to buy expensive mail order seedlings.

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I had some trouble starting seeds in the past (my husband constantly over watered them). This system took the guesswork out of watering. Plants received consistent moisture without getting dry or oversaturated.

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I am the mother of 6 children. Years ago I started using APS systems. I like starting my own plants versus going to the nurseries to fight the crowds or not get what I was looking for. I took a break for about 10 years and took what I thought was the "easy" way out--going to the nursery, buying "just a few"-the vegetables didn't do that well. With the high cost of food and gas now-- I am back! I am beating these guys at their own game! I grew 60 tomatoes, 24 broccoli, 24 peppers,in APS systems(I only ordered some replacements and 2 new ones--they last forever!)The rest of my garden I sowed directly. These have 100% germination! Can't wait for harvest!

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AS with all of your products they are outstanding,durable and easy to use.

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I have been starting seeds in my basement for more that 15 years. I have used the APS system from the beginning. It works well for me because I travel for work and I am not home to water my seedlings during the week. The resevoirs generally hold enough water so that I only have to fill them once a week. Most of the elements are easy to clean and reuse. Only the seed starting trays themselves are difficult to get clean. I have recently starting switching to the plastic deep root trays using the same system. They don't fit exactly but it works pretty well. The APS systems are a bit on the expensive side but with a little care they last a long time. I still have some of the original trays I bought 15 years ago. I grow about 42 trays of plants per year and the system has worked pretty well for me.