One Problem, Many Options | The Peterborough & Space Grasp Gardeners
By Marilyn Homewood, Grasp Gardener
As we glance by means of our seed catalogues on these chilly days, it’s time not solely to resolve on what we’re rising however on how we intend to develop it. The alternatives appear limitless! Winter sowing has been lined in a earlier weblog. I like to recommend you give it a strive. As for indoor seed beginning, there’s a plethora of how to do it. Discovering which works greatest for you can also make the distinction to a profitable season.
A single flat tray (usually referred to as a 1020) or half tray is a conventional strategy to begin seeds. The tray is crammed together with your chosen medium (be it seedling combination, coconut coir or potting combine). Seeds are planted in rows within the flat, the medium moistened and set to germinate. As soon as the seeds have germinated and have developed not less than 2 true leaves, the seedling is “pricked” out of the combination and potted up into a bigger container. Pricking out is the time period for holding onto a leaf (by no means the stem!) and gently teasing the seedling out of the potting combine. Execs – single tray saves house, simpler to maintain moist as a result of bigger quantity of combine. Good for seeds with uneven germination charges comparable to larkspur. You simply prick seedlings out as they’re prepared. Cons – 2 step course of is extra labour intensive. Some sorts of seeds which can be delicate to root disturbance (poppies, zinnias) dislike being tugged out and often don’t do effectively as soon as transplanted.
Row Trays
These trays are divided into 20 rows. Utilizing a row tray is much like the open flat in that seedlings are pricked out and potted up. However this technique makes use of a lot much less soil combination. This tray is usually used for very tiny seeds which can be tough to deal with comparable to snapdragons. Seeds are simply rigorously poured onto the seedling combination and the trays watered from under. Execs- simpler technique when coping with small seeds, germinate sooner resulting from smaller quantity of soil combine. Cons – extra labour intensive, vulnerable to drying out shortly resulting from smaller quantity of soil. Not advisable for varieties that detest root disturbance. Should additionally use flat backside tray as rows trays are too quick to take a seat in a 1020 tray.
Cell Trays
These trays are divided into “cells” that maintain progress medium and one seedling. Seed is sown into every cell. Cell trays are available quite a lot of sizes 50, 72, 128, 200 cells and so on. The 72 cell dimension is the most typical. The selection of dimension is often dictated by the kind of seed sown. For instance, I take advantage of 128’s for my lisianthus seeds because the seedling could be very tiny for a very long time. Execs – one step, simple to maintain observe of how seedlings are doing, water effectively from backside
Cons – Might have plenty of sizes relying on varieties grown, roots of seedlings with a protracted progress interval have a tendency to begin circling in cell, this will likely trigger manufacturing difficulties as soon as transplanted.
You might not want 72 seedlings of the identical selection and don’t want varieties that germinate early to remain underneath the humidity dome till all have germinated.
To deal with this downside, I take advantage of a variation on the 72 cell tray. As an alternative of utilizing a tray for every selection, I’ve propagation inserts that may be separated in 9 or 6 cells models. I nonetheless plant 72 cells whole of greater than 1 selection, all positioned in a single 1020 tray underneath a humidity dome. When one selection germinates, I can take away it and put it underneath the develop lights. This avoids the germinated seedling from creating fungal illness which is deadly (“damping off”). This technique lets me efficiently germinate completely different varieties in a restricted house.
Soil Blocking
It is a technique that compresses wetter soil combine into free standing blocks that are then seeded, germinated and grown on. The blocks are positioned on flat trays with lips so that the blocks may be rigorously watered. Seedling roots are naturally air pruned in soil blocks. Vegetation with lengthy progress durations profit from the air pruning as do varieties that detest root disturbance. Execs – No use of plastic!! Regardless of rigorously washing and reusing my trays, every year there are just a few casualties that may now not be used. Soil blockers are a one- time buy. Seedlings are air pruned and by no means develop circling roots therefore make extra resilient transplants by lowering transplant shock. Cons – preliminary soil blockers had been spring loaded and hand-held. Could be arduous on palms to make use of. Newer blockers (Swiftblockers) could make a complete 1020 of blocks. These are chrome steel and are heavy to make use of. There are actually half dimension variations accessible that are extra inexpensive and simpler to deal with. Blockers can be found in several block/cell sizes. Soil blocking is messy. The combination should be comparatively moist with the intention to compact it. The watering of blocks is a bit of difficult as blocks cannot be left in standing water as they may crumble.
Winnstrips
It is a hybrid idea between cell trays and soil blocks created from heavy responsibility plastic. Made in 50, 72, 128 sizes, Winnstrips have air cells all through the tray and every planting cell has 4 air slits to permit for air pruning. Execs – Not as messy as soil blocks however with the air pruning advantages. Good for varieties that don’t like root disturbance. Constructed from a polypropylene materials that could be very sturdy and may be recycled. Cons – trays are heavier and use a substantial amount of potting combine.
It doesn’t matter what technique you employ, bear in mind to have enjoyable!
