In peat-distilled tablets, seedlings of vegetable and flower crops are grown, and cuttings are also rooted. This convenient and modern method helps to reduce the time of working with plants, eliminates the need to buy or prepare soil and cups. The tablets are easy to use, absorb moisture easily, are breathable, and promote healthier seedlings.
I recommend reading: The secret of the abundant flowering of hydrangea
Types of peat tablets
The tablets are a compressed dry washer made of pure peat or mixed with humus. When soaked, they turn into a soil cylinder in a nonwoven mesh. Recently, the peat substrate has been replaced by coconut fiber, which has the same important characteristics - hygroscopicity and air permeability. Additionally, the tablets are enriched with growth stimulants, antibacterial substances, macro- and microelements. These components help seedlings at the initial stage to fully develop without stress.
Tablets without mesh are available for sale. Most often they come complete with peat pots or in plastic containers with cells.
Sowing in peat tablets
Their diameter varies from 24 to 90 mm, and dry thickness is 8-30 mm. This is done on purpose so that you can find a convenient size for a particular crop. For large seeds, a diameter of 60-70 cm is used, for small ones (petunias, strawberries, etc.) small tablets are suitable.
Preparation of planting material
If the manufacturer did not pickle the seeds, then it is better to process them yourself. A solution of ash from 1 tsp is suitable. l. in a glass of water, a solution of humate or biofertilizer according to the instructions. The seeds are wrapped in cloth, dipped in liquid, removed after 30 minutes and left to swell at + 23-25 ° C for 12 hours. The process will speed up germination. But at the same time, make sure that long roots do not form, otherwise they may break during sowing.
Preparation of tablets
The tablets are placed in a suitable container with the indentation upwards. If this is not a special container, then it is advisable to make drainage holes ourselves and substitute a pallet.
Pour the tablets with warm water, trying not to dilute the substrate. Leave for 15-20 minutes until complete swelling, drain excess water.
Sowing seeds
The pelleted seeds are lightly pressed to the surface, and they immediately get wet, and the shell dissolves. Sprinkle them a little with soil. Small raw greens are sown in several pieces in one tablet. Celery, petunia, strawberries are not sprinkled. For large seeds, the deepening is made more, especially for germinated ones. They are also covered with light soil or peat.
The container is covered with a lid or placed in a bag and left in a warm place at + 23-26 ° C.
Seedling care
When shoots appear, they remove the shelter and rearrange them to a well-lit place. From this point on, the requirements of a particular culture are taken into account. For cabbage, you need moderate heat + 10-15 ° С, tomatoes + 15-17 ° С during the day and + 12-14 ° С at night. If the plants are too warm in the early days, they will stretch out and weaken. After 12-14 days, the temperature is raised to + 20-22 ° C. This is especially important for nightshades.
The constant maintenance of normal moisture content of peat pellets is a key rule in the care of seedlings with this growing method. The substrate dries up much faster, therefore, at the first signs of a lack of moisture, they are watered, pouring water along the edges of the pan. Once every 2 weeks, fertilizing watering is done from an organo-mineral fertilizer.
Plants develop quietly in tablets as long as there is enough room for their roots. When the roots go beyond the grid, this is a sure sign that it is time to transplant them in a larger container or on a garden bed. In this case, the non-woven material must be removed, since it will interfere with the development of roots.
Rooting cuttings
Cuttings of conifers, grapes, flowers perfectly take root in peat tablets. For the reliability of the procedure, instead of water for swelling, use a solution of "Kornevin". In the center of the swollen tablets, recesses are made and the handle is inserted.
For reproduction of petunias, cut off the shoot above the fifth leaf, remove the lower leaves, and the large upper ones are shortened by half. After they are inserted into tablets and lightly pressed at the base of the cutting. The container is covered with a lid with holes and left on a light-colored windowsill, where there is protection from direct rays. For rooting, petunia needs a temperature not higher than +25 ° C.
Do you grow seedlings in peat tablets?
Original articleand many other materials, you can find on ourwebsite.
How to deal with aphids on currants, read the following article:Ways to combat aphids on currants