Across the country, growers are firing up their greenhouses, light carts, and germination chambers. It's time to start some seeds!
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Here at Johnny's Selected Seeds, we start thousands of transplants for our Breeding and Trials programs. In this article, we'll tell you about the pros and cons of the three main seed-starting systems we use.
Indoor seed-starting techniques vary, depending upon the grower's goals, needs, and experience. Here's an overview of the three systems we offer, and what works best at the current scale of our Research Farm in Albion, Maine, so you can experiment and determine which method is best to start your own professional-quality seedlings.
Molded plastic seedling trays are known as trays because their dimensions are approximately 10 inches by 20 inches.
Easy to fill, transport, reuse.Cell flats (also known as plug flats) fit inside the seedling trays, leak-proof trays, or lightweight mesh trays, and are available in multiple sizes, identified by the number of cells in each flat.
The most common cell-flat sizes for veggie transplants are 50's, 72's, 128's and 200's. The cells in these flats are square and very closely spaced, to maximize the number of plants you can fit in your greenhouse.
For larger crops, there are cell flats with 38 or 24 cells per flat. The cells are larger, allowing for larger root balls, and the cells are round and spaced farther apart to allow for greater canopy development of the plants.
Another option is the 20-row seed flat, in which seeds are sown in channels to germinate, then "bumped up" or "potted up" into cell flats when their first true leaves appear. Seed flats are advantageous because they conserve seedling heat mat or germination chamber space.
Many growers consider this to be the most efficient way to start large numbers of seedlings at once.Advantages. Trays and cell flats are the seed-starting method of choice on most large vegetable farms for several reasons:
Disadvantages. Plastic trays and flats do have some drawbacks.
For sanitizing trays and as a means of disease prevention in your seed-starting program, we recommend a peroxide-based bleach substitute like OxiDate, which is an OMRI-listed disinfectant approved for use in certified-organic agriculture.
Whether or not plastic items such as trays, flats, and domes are recyclable nowadays is essentially dependent upon their composition, which will determine your local recycling center's policies, capabilities, and partnerships. If you use plastic seed-starting and plant containers, we encourage you to check with your local recycling center for more information on their recyclability.
Because of the scale of our operation, we do primarily use trays for greenhouse propagation and seed-starting. Here are the basic, crop-specific seed-starting practices with cell flats used here at Johnny's:
Johnny's sells a type of biodegradable pot known as Fertilpots, which are OMRI-listed and appropriate for certified-organic operations. Fertilpots are individual containers that can be planted along with the seedlings. The pot then breaks down in the soil, allowing roots, water, and nutrients to pass through it.
Advantages. Biodegradable pots eliminate transplant shock and they are super-easy to plant because the plants don't have to be removed from the pot. They also don't leave behind any hard-to-recycle plastic waste. That makes them popular with home gardeners, so commercial transplant growers often use them to give them an edge in plant sales.
Disadvantages. The disadvantages of biodegradable pots include the fact that they need to be replenished each season; they require some kind of carrying tray; and they are not as space-efficient in the greenhouse. As with plastic pots, seedlings can become root-bound if left to grow too long, prior to transplant, in the pots.
1. Wet soil mix. 2. Push block-maker down. 3. Turn and lift. 4. Set into tray and release… Voilà!Soil blocks are cubes of potting media that have been created by mechanical forms called Soil-Block Makers. Seedlings grow in a free-standing block of growing medium, rather than in some type of container holding the medium.
Several different sizes accommodate different crops, similar to cell flats. Small, ¾" mini-blocks serve a similar function to 20-row seed flats for germination and potting on to larger blocks. Interchangeable dibbles can be used to make a small round seed hole for smaller seeds, a deep round hole for seeds or cuttings, or a ¾" cubic indentation to accept mini blocks within a larger block.
Potting on is the process of starting seeds in small blocks, then transplanting the growing seedlings into successively bigger blocks.Advantages. Soil blocks can produce excellent plants, thanks to the "air pruning" that occurs when the tips of the seedling roots grow to the edges of the block and dehydrate, triggering growth of secondary roots which then spread until they reach the edges. This cycle repeats, resulting in a robust root system spread evenly throughout the entire block, allowing the seeding to establish itself very quickly once transplanted.
Disadvantages. While soil blocks are easy to use and provide reliable results that include faster growth, they are much more labor-intensive to make, compared to the time required to fill flats and pots. This can make them a less cost-effective system for larger growers or anyone shorthanded or pressed for time.
Having a successful farm or garden starts with proper planning and preparation, and that includes choosing the right tools and supplies. One of the most important tools for starting plants is the seed tray.
There are several types of seed trays available, and each one has its own benefits and uses. In this article, we will explore the different types of seed trays and how to use each of them effectively.
Starting seeds in cell trays, especially in the larger ones, gives the grower the advantage of being able to start more seedlings in their growing space. This is especially handy for row crops where the grower may want to plant 100 or more of each variety.
Growing this many seedling starts in larger seed pots would take up way too much space. The other advantage is that you will waste less growing media starting out your seeds and then up-potting the successfully germinated starts into new pots.
There are two basic parts to a seed tray, one of which is optional:
Tray – this is the top part that holds soil, individual containers (pots), or a cell flat. When used with a cell flat, the tray is used for watering from below.
Cell flat (plug flat) – this is the optional lower part. This is the part that holds the water to keep you from watering the seedlings very frequently.
Seedling trays come in different forms, including mesh seed trays, solid seed trays with drainage holes, and solid seed trays without drainage holes (leak-proof seed trays).
A mesh seed tray is a type of seed tray that allows air, water, and light to pass through it while also providing support and protection to seedlings as they grow. It typically consists of a frame made of durable plastic or wire mesh, with a tray or pot placed inside it to hold the soil and seeds.
Mesh seed trays are specifically designed for seed starting, and they are often used in commercial and home gardens to start seedlings before transplanting them into larger containers or into the ground. They are also commonly used for microgreen production, which is the practice of growing germinated seeds into small, edible plants that are harvested a few weeks after germination.
By allowing air, water, and light to pass through, mesh seed trays help to reduce the risk of damping off, a disease that can kill young seedlings. They also allow for better drainage, reducing the risk of root rot and other diseases associated with overwatering.
Where to buy:
Amazon
Shopee
Lazada
A cell seed tray is composed of small, individual cells, each of which is typically about 5 to 10 millimeters wide, long, and deep. The cells are arranged in a grid-like pattern, with rows and columns, and they're separated from each other by small walls. Cell seed trays are often used for growing seedlings, particularly when growing crops in a commercial setting.
Cell seed trays are beneficial because they allow for efficient and convenient seedling production.
The small cells allow for even distribution of water and nutrients to the sprouts, and they provide a secure and stable base for the seedlings to grow and mature. This makes it easier to transplant them into larger containers or directly into the ground, and it decreases the risk of damage to the seedlings.
Overall, cell seed trays are a versatile and efficient tool for growing seedlings and they're a popular choice for commercial growers or those who want to start their own miniature farm.
Where to buy:
Amazon
Shopee
Lazada
Are you interested in learning more about Leak-Proof Seedling Trays? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Solid seed trays with drainage holes allow for adequate drainage, making them suitable for planting multiple seeds together in one place.
The drainage holes prevent the soil from becoming saturated with water and promote healthy root growth. However, the lack of individual cells makes it impossible to move seedlings to separate containers once they grow larger.
Where to buy:
Amazon
Shopee
Lazada
Solid seed trays without drainage holes (leak-proof seed trays) do not allow for any drainage at all. They are best used for holding cell flats and allowing for bottom watering. By holding water, the tray can be used to catch excess water from watering seeds, or to water seeds from below.
WHERE TO BUY:
Amazon
Shopee
Lazada
A seed tray with a humidity dome is a growing system that provides an ideal environment for seed germination and early plant growth. It consists of a seed tray, which is a tray with small, individual cells or pots, and a humidity dome, which is a clear plastic cover that fits over the tray.
The humidity dome creates a warm, moist environment that is essential for seed germination and early plant growth. The cover traps moisture and moisture-laden air around the seedlings, providing them with a consistent supply of water. This can be particularly beneficial during dry periods or when the air is particularly dry.
Seed trays with humidity domes are particularly useful for growing plants that require a warm and humid environment, such as tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables. They are also popular for growing herbs, flowers, and other outdoor plants.
WHERE TO BUY:
Amazon
Shopee
Lazada
Biodegradable seed trays are the environmentally friendly solution to traditional, plastic seed trays.
Instead of being made from synthetic materials that can take hundreds of years to decompose, biodegradable seed trays are made from natural materials such as recycled paper, biodegradable plastic, or plant-based materials.
These innovative trays provide all the benefits of traditional seed trays, including protection for seedlings and support for roots, but with the added bonus of being gentle on the environment. Biodegradable materials are non-toxic and they won't pollute the soil or water systems when they're discarded.
Biodegradable seed trays are a great choice for gardeners who want to reduce their environmental impact while still nurturing their plants. They're also an excellent choice for commercial growers who need to minimize their waste output and meet sustainability goals.
WHERE TO BUY:
Amazon
Shopee
Lazada
An ergonomic pop-out seed tray is a growing tray designed for the comfort and productivity of gardeners.
Soft food-grade silicone cells cradle seedlings and gently flex to pop out when it’s time to transplant into your outdoor garden! This system is specially designed to reduce stress on your seedlings, so you don't damage their roots. After transplanting, trays are easy to clean and reuse or simply store for next growing season. Top shelf dishwasher safe.
The tray is made from lightweight, durable materials that are easy to clean. These trays are a popular choice among commercial growers and home gardeners who want to maximize their seedling production while minimizing their physical strain.
Where to buy:
Amazon
Are you growing a large number of one variety of plants for transplanting row crops?
Are you planting smaller numbers of a wide variety of plants?
Will you be planting your crops all at once, or will you be using the succession planting method?
What type of seeds will you be planting? Peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, watermelon, etc.?
How large are the seeds?
How long will your seedlings need to stay in the cell trays?
Will you be potting up your plant starts or planting out directly from the plug trays?
How much protected growing space do you have to start seeds in?
Will you use a heat mat or a dome or rely on ambient temperatures and humidity for germination?
Plastic Seed Trays Plastic seed trays are one of the most popular types of trays for starting plants. They are lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and are a budget-friendly option.
Yes. It is possible to overwater seedlings growing in cell trays. A common mistake growers make though is to leave water in the bottom of a plug tray at all times. This will eliminate your seedling’s ability to get oxygen.
Bottom-watering can be properly done by adding just enough water to allow the cell tray to evenly absorb it during the watering and no more. You want to discard the excess water as it will become stagnant and invite anaerobic bacteria to wreak havoc on your newly established seedlings.
For more Seedling Trays Priceinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.