Peat tablets are no longer a novelty among gardeners and gardeners. Many have heard of this device, some summer residents even managed to repeatedly try it out. And yet, even with a large amount of detailed information, few people still know how to use peat tablets for seedlings correctly. That's what we'll talk about today.

Which peat tablets to choose

The first thing a gardener has to face is the purchase of the tablets themselves. You can not read the composition, because for all manufacturers it is almost the same and rarely differs. These are peat, fungicides and fertilizers.

It is important for you to choose the right tablet diameter. They are from 2 to 7 cm in size. And here the main thing is not to make a mistake. It all depends on what exactly is supposed to be grown. For example, a seven is too big for a petunia, and a deuce will be tight for a tomato.

Some summer residents, looking at the pills, think: “Bah, yes, they are moldy!”. This is mistake. A whitish coating on the outside, similar to a mycelium or cobweb, is nothing more than a forming mesh. Without it, the tablet will simply fall apart when wet. By the way, some manufacturers sin by the absence of such a grid. In principle, its presence is not at all necessary if you have a vessel exactly the size of a single tablet. Peat isn't going anywhere. But then, when transplanting, in any case, the seedlings will have to be disturbed by the root system. It is logical to assume that why then spend money on buying a pill, if you can just pour peat into a container and plant seeds.

Therefore, in the store, be sure to choose those manufacturers who do not skimp on the forming grid. By the way, it does not decompose in the ground. But at the same time, the roots do not harm and do not interfere. Therefore, before transplanting, the mesh can not be removed from the tablet, but only cut on one side. In the fall, when harvesting plant debris, pull the stem out of the soil and throw it away with the net. Everything is simple.

What else to buy

Manufacturers offer special cassettes for peat tablets. No doubt, they are very comfortable, perfect in diameter and height. But there is plenty of space. By the way, placed in a cake lid, the tablets take up much less space than they would in cassettes. But, here the main role is played by the thickness of your wallet. It is she who decides whether you need such an additional device, or whether you have other containers in stock.

Therefore, you will have to buy seeds and a spray bottle. It is the most convenient for watering. The fact is that one of the drawbacks of peat tablets is that the upper part dries out too quickly. At the same time, the lower part is still wet. Therefore, watering in the pan will only exacerbate the problem, but will not solve it. The spray gun will allow you to moisten the peat tablets from above, and without fear of knocking down young seedlings with a strong stream of water.

Perhaps that's all you need to buy. Some sources also recommend buying a propagator. This is such an abstruse container with a lid and heating to create a certain microclimate. We consider this acquisition an unnecessary luxury and not a first necessity. The propagator is perfectly replaced with a foam pad under the container and cling film or glass on top of the container.

How to prepare tablets for planting

You will need:

• clean warm water
• tablespoon
• container
• peat tablets
• 30 minutes free time
• enthusiasm

Arrange the peat tablets in the container so that they do not touch the walls very tightly. You don't have to squeeze them. Let them insert freely. Now we take clean warm water and pour 2 tbsp into each tablet. l.

By the way, do not confuse the top and bottom of the tablet! The recess for the seeds is on top, and is always clearly visible. Wait 15 minutes after watering. Do not be afraid that the “test subjects” will begin to grow sharply in height, almost without increasing in diameter. That's the way it should be.

Then add another 1 tbsp. l. and wait another 12-15 minutes. Now drain the excess liquid that has come out at the bottom of the container. That's it, the pills are ready for planting.

How to plant seeds

Remember: 1 peat tablet - 1 seed. Do not try to cram 2, 3 or more in order to save expensive material. Yes, peat tablets are not cheap. The sprouts simply do not have enough space and food for normal development. And then you come across reviews of a similar plan: “I tried these pills of yours, complete nonsense. And just planted 3 peppers in each. The plants were weak, ill and did not take root well. We do not need such savings.

Now, as for the seeds. Sowing in tablets is not much different from sowing in the ground:

1. Large - by hand. We deepen by 1-1.2 cm.
2. Small ones - with a match or a toothpick. We hook it with a wet tip and lay it on the surface.

After planting manipulations, cover the container with tablets with glass or cling film. Then we clean in a warm dark place until the first shoots appear.

How to care for seedlings in peat tablets

Yes, just like the regular one. We saw that the sprouts begin to hatch, so immediately transfer the container to a bright place. Otherwise, they will start to stretch. Ventilate the container periodically to prevent condensation from creating excessive moisture. As soon as the plant gets stronger, it will be possible to remove the shelter completely.

It is most convenient to water peat tablets from a spray bottle. This will allow you to dose water without fear of flooding the sprouts.

And further. Do not forget to put insulation under the container. For this you can use:

• foam plate
• thin plank
• piece of cork
• underlay for laminate
• thick woolen fabric
• multiple layers of newspaper

Why are such perks necessary? The fact is that the root system of sprouts is still too weak. It supercools very quickly, and then the black leg cannot be avoided. A additional insulation below will allow you to forget about a similar problem.

How to plant seedlings with pills

Well, the long days of waiting are over. The sprouts have risen and strengthened. It's time to plant them in a greenhouse or open ground. How to define this moment? Very easy. Pick up one of the peat tablets. Roots break through the mesh, and does the sprout itself have 3-4 true leaves? So the next stage has arrived.

You will need:

• seedling
• scapula
• utility knife (optional)
• 2 hands

Procedure. With a spatula, dig a hole of such a size that you can freely install a peat tablet. Pour in some water. Then take the seedlings in one hand, carefully cut the net with the other clerical knife. Be careful not to spill the tablet. Next, put all this stuff in the hole, sprinkle with earth. Try not to bury the plant, except for tomatoes. They can be planted under the very cotyledon leaves.

Now you need to slightly press the soil around. It remains only to lightly water the newcomer and mulch the earth with humus or what you are used to. As you can see, everything is doable even for a beginner in agriculture.

By the way, about the notch of the grid. It is not necessary to do this at all, because it does not interfere with the growth of the root system at all. Moisture and fertilizers also flow to the plant completely unhindered. But some summer residents strongly recommend tearing the mesh. What they are guided by is not clear. Therefore, the choice is yours.

Pros:

• less dirt
• more convenient to transport
• no need to fertilize
• take up little space
• treated for diseases
• easy to transplant seedlings
• can be used to root leaves and cuttings
• the root system is not damaged
• take up little space when stored

Minuses:

• are expensive
• dry quickly
• in cassettes occupy a large area
• not sold everywhere
• may be covered with moss
• unjustified spending for a large number seedlings

Here is the main thing you need to know when buying peat tablets for seedlings, and not ready-made soil. Which must also be further processed from the larvae of harmful insects and pathogenic bacteria. And so you need to pour ordinary water, spread the seeds and wait. A little care, and you have healthy, strong seedlings. Use and enjoy the ease of care.

Now you know how to use peat tablets for seedlings. It remains only to buy them the right amount and follow our recommendations. We assure you, a rich harvest is guaranteed!

Video: growing seedlings in peat tablets

Instruction

Such tablets are made from a special peat substrate, to which nutrients and microelements are added in the right proportions, which provide the seeds with comfortable development after germination. They are placed in a fine mesh so that the peat does not crumble after soaking. Therefore, it is very convenient to use peat tablets for germinating seeds. Before planting the seeds, the tablets should be filled with water. Under the influence of moisture, the tablet expands and increases in size in width and height, turning into a cylinder.

The tablet is kept in water for about 10 minutes, then the excess moisture is drained. The recess in the upper part of the tablet is enlarged, a seed is placed in it and covered with peat on top, lightly tamping. After this, the tablet is watered as it dries. It is advisable to keep the tablets with seeds placed in them for germination in a mini-greenhouse or simply in a capacious box covered with glass. Peat tablets dry out quickly, and do not have the ability to retain and retain moisture for a long time, so watering the seeds must be carefully monitored. It is most convenient to pour water into the pan, draining the excess as soon as it stops being absorbed. You can not drain completely, a layer of water of about 0.5 - 1 cm at the bottom is an acceptable amount.

Peat tablets are ideal for growing seeds of plants that cannot tolerate transplants. It is convenient to grow in the seeds of expensive plants, whimsical flowers. Unevenly germinating seeds grow in peat tablets much more convenient than in common containers. The first germinated ones can already be taken out from under the film, and the rest will not feel any inconvenience from this. As the seedlings grow, it is necessary to place the tablets with seedlings in larger containers filled with soil. The mesh, which prevents the peat from spilling, can not be removed, but experienced gardeners recommend tearing or completely removing it. This is due to the type of plant that is grown in the tablet. The roots of some flowers are very delicate, and even this mesh can serve as a small obstacle in their development.

Peat tablets do not have an expiration date, provided that the storage conditions are observed. They should be stored in places that exclude the ingress of moisture and with air humidity not more than 40-60%, at a temperature of 0 to 15 degrees. The size of peat tablets offered by stores is different, and you can choose your own for each plant. When buying, you should pay attention to whether the tablet is wrapped in a material that prevents peat from scattering when watering. If there is no such mesh on the tablet, you need to place it in an individual container or not purchase it at all. The meaning of using a tablet under individual conditions for the growth and development of each plant, therefore, should not be several seeds in one tablet, unless this is an experimental idea.

Related article

Sources:

• Growing strawberries from seeds in peat tablets

Tip 2: How to use peat pellets to grow seeds

A real find for amateur gardeners and gardeners was the relatively recent appearance on Russian market peat tablets. Unfortunately, neither foreign nor Russian manufacturers do not attach instructions for use to these tablets, which causes a lot of questions among buyers. Using peat tablets, however, is not that difficult.

You will need

• - a pot with a volume of about 200 cubic centimeters;
• - a pot with a volume of about 500 cubic centimeters;
• - greenhouse;
• - seeds.

Instruction

Peat tablets are peat in a special way with the addition of sand, special substances and minerals that accelerate the growth of plants. Such tablets are intended for cultivation. Peat tablets from foreign manufacturers are usually wrapped in a special mesh that prevents the product from spilling. Tablets of a domestic manufacturer go on sale without nets, but they have almost the same properties as foreign ones. To use a tablet, you must first determine its sides: there is always a special recess in the upper part of a peat tablet.

• Contain a complex of all necessary fertilizers;


• Maximize the level of seed germination;


• Eliminate the need to dive seedlings;


• Save money;


• Convenient to use.

Growing petunias

Before the first buds appear on the petunia between planting and the development of full-fledged plants, at least three months must pass. It is better to plant seeds in the second half of March, however, if there is a possibility of illumination, then it is possible earlier - at the end of February. And yet, if you do not use additional lighting, then you can grow a petunia from March seedlings at the same time as February.

In order for the seedlings to have enough space, peat tablets should be about 3-4 cm in diameter. It is recommended to soak them in water until they swell completely 2 hours before sowing. If necessary, water can be added. It is best to pour out excess water.

Petunia seeds are laid out in small depressions in tablets with a toothpick, match or pointed spatula. Often, when using traditional methods of planting in seedling boxes, it turns into a real torture: in some places there are a lot of seeds, while in another part of the box there are none at all. The use of peat tablets allows you to avoid this - only one seed is placed on one tablet.

Some gardeners have difficulty with pelleted seeds, which usually take longer to germinate than regular seeds. Such seeds need more moisture to break through the shell of the dragee. To grow a petunia from such seeds, you will have to resort to a little trick: the spread out seeds should be moistened with water using a spray bottle or dripped onto them from a pipette.

Then, after about 3-5 minutes, using a toothpick, the soaked shell of the dragee should be carefully smeared. The crops are covered. If there is no mini-greenhouse in the house, then the seed tablets are covered with a regular lid, with which products are packed. The tray must be placed in a warm place. If the room temperature is approximately + 25ºС, then in a week the first shoots will appear. At temperatures below +20º, it is almost impossible to grow a petunia - the seedlings simply will not sprout.

At first, seedlings are especially vulnerable, therefore, so that they do not stretch out, immediately after their appearance, the temperature is reduced to +18 +20ºС. Be sure to keep the peat tablets constantly wet. In the event that they are cracked or settled in the tray, it is necessary to pour water until the tablets swell. After that, excess moisture should be poured out. Petunias are recommended to be aired regularly.

Before transplanting flowers into pots, it is better not to feed them: peat tablets contain all the necessary fertilizers.

As soon as the petunia roots begin to break through the shell of the tablets, you should start transplanting flowers. In this case, it is possible to avoid dives of plants from tablets. Instead, the seedlings are transplanted along with the lump. If you stretch with a transplant, then this will negatively affect the petunia: the stability of the seedlings will decrease, their growth will stop.

10 days after transplanting seedlings, you can start hardening it. For this, her daytime days are placed on a glazed balcony, in a greenhouse or veranda. It is impossible not to protect young seedlings from drafts, direct sunlight and cold winds.

Water for irrigation when growing petunias

The water used to water its seedlings has a special effect on the cultivation of petunias. The key factors here are moderation and timeliness. In addition, there are several simple rules:

2. It is necessary to maintain a certain soil moisture. To do this, the petunia should be watered not from above, but from below from the pan.

3. Water should be soft, without chlorine. Before watering, it must be defended for a day. It is useful to add a few drops of lemon juice to the water.

Growing petunias can also be carried out in a kind of greenhouses. Such conditions can be easily created by covering the tray with glass, ordinary film or plastic. Every day, containers must be opened so that the seedlings breathe fresh air.

1. After the seedlings are transplanted into individual pots, the temperature is usually lowered to 3-5º heat.


2. Seedlings should be taken out to fresh air every day.


3. Planted seeds must be illuminated before the first sprouts appear.


4. In order for the plants to bloom profusely, they should not be left in heavy rain.


5. The top layer of soil should never dry out.


6. If petunias grow in limited containers, for example, in a flowerpot or basket, then you should think about feeding the flowers.

It is possible to grow a petunia, but you should be patient. These flowers need constant care, especially when it comes to seedlings. Peat tablets greatly simplify the process of breeding petunias

Peat tablets are used for rooting indoor flowers and growing seedlings. Planting seeds or shoots in peat tablets is easy and convenient. Place the tablet in a glass or other shallow container, pour warm water The warmer the water, the more the tablet will swell. In 5-10 minutes, it will increase in size several times, turn into a cylinder. Make a depression at the top, place a seed or cutting there and slightly compact. Top with a transparent film to create favorable conditions for seed germination.

Do not save on peat tablets, each should have only one sprout. For different types plants, select peat tablets of the appropriate size. In case the seed does not germinate, plant two seeds at a time. But if both germinate, remove one sprout without regret.

Watch for moisture - the tablets should not dry out, this is the main condition for seed germination, rooting of seedlings and good seedling growth. Remove the film sometimes, ventilate the plants to avoid the appearance of fungus.

Growing in peat tablets seedlings of plants that do not tolerate transplantation, such as eggplant, pepper, cucumber, lobelia, gives excellent results. As the plant grows, when the roots come out of the tablet, transplant it into a larger container or to a permanent place in the ground along with the tablet. The advantage is that the seedlings are not injured during transplantation and grow quickly. When transplanting, remove the retina from the tablet if possible, as it can be difficult for plant roots to grow through it.

Peat tablets allow you to grow high-quality seedlings with minimal effort. And also guarantee 100% rooting of planting material.

How to use peat tablets?

Peat tablets are suitable for growing almost any seedling. They consist of peat plates pressed together, enriched with microelements. The diameter of peat tablets is different, from 23 to 70 millimeters.

To grow seedlings, the tablets are first immersed in water. Also, in addition to water, the drug “Shine” or “NV-101” is also needed. After contact with water, the tablets swell quite quickly and increase in size. So-called "barrels" are obtained in appearance, into which the seeds will be immersed.

Convenience of tablets

The convenience of such tablets is that they are well suited for growing petunia seedlings, since they contain all the necessary trace elements. Another advantage of these tablets is the exclusion of the picking process itself, in addition to transplanting the plant into the ground. With this method, the root system suffers the least and the nutrients from peat tablets will enable the plant to grow well.

Sowing petunia seeds

Sowing directly can be done as early as mid-February, but it is important to consider that the plant will need additional light (12-13 hours). If it is not possible to use fitolamps, then it is better to transfer the sowing of seeds to March.

Sowing seeds is carried out in pre-prepared peat tablets. To do this, take some kind of container, put peat tablets there and fill it with water. Water should be added until it remains on the pan. excess water drain, and start sowing seeds. The inconvenience is that petunia seeds are very small, so it is better to buy granular ones. Seeds should simply be spread on the surface of peat tablets, while deepening is not worth it. After sowing, cover them with a film, and put them in a lighted place. The air temperature should be 21-22 degrees.

seedling care

Pay attention to watering peat tablets. They should not be heavily watered, and left dry is also undesirable. That is, watering should be moderate. Condensation may occasionally form on the film, it should be wiped with a napkin.

Immediately after germination, it is not necessary to open the film. The plants should have several leaves. The period of planting petunia seeds and transplanting them into the ground is approximately 3 months. Seedlings are planted most often in June.

Planting tomatoes in peat tablets - great way grow seedlings without subsequent picking. Sprouts transplanted without damaging the root system begin to bear fruit 1-2 weeks earlier than usual.

Peat pucks are a ready-made soil substrate with a balanced content of nutrients. They appeared in our country relatively recently, but have already gained considerable popularity among gardeners and summer residents due to their convenience and ease of use. In addition, with this method of cultivation, the survival rate of plants is high.

The benefits of peat tablets

The peat tablet is a grey-black disk of pressed peat different sizes: 2 to 7 cm in diameter and 1-1.5 cm in height.

In addition to peat, it can contain additional nutrients necessary for seed germination and active shoot growth in the first weeks of cultivation, as well as fungicides and antibacterial drugs. For planting tomatoes, peppers or eggplant in tablets, you can choose suitable size and filling.

Peat is used either riding or composite. Peat discs are packed in a protective mesh or film that can decompose in the soil. Protection is necessary in order to keep their shape when wet. Therefore, after contact with water, pelletized peat increases in height, but remains unchanged in width.

Growing tomato seedlings in peat tablets saves gardeners and gardeners from unnecessary trouble. The method allows you to save space in a greenhouse, greenhouse or on the windowsill. In addition, this method of germinating seedlings has other advantages:

1. Due to the friability of peat, it is gentle on delicate roots.
2. A high percentage of germination and survival of plants allows you to get seedlings from expensive or rare seed material without loss.
3. Tableted soil absorbs a limited amount of moisture, so you just need to maintain optimal humidity in such a substrate.
4. Peat itself is an organic fertilizer, therefore, on initial stage germination no need for additional dressings.
5. The porosity of the substrate provides good aeration of the root system of plants and protects it from decay.
6. Sprouts are transplanted into open ground along with a tablet, which facilitates the process and allows you to save the roots of the shoots.
7. The use of a peat substrate protects the plant from diseases such as blackleg.
8. The use of a tablet form allows seedlings to be grouped depending on the stage of development.
9. A large selection of sizes allows you to choose the best for each culture. So, for growing tomatoes, peppers and eggplant in tablets, products 3.5-5 cm in diameter are suitable.
10. The tableted substrate in dry form is stored without loss of quality for many years.

There are no restrictions on the use of this substrate. In particular, this method is good for heat-loving and poorly emerging varieties.

At the same time, the cultivation technology differs little from traditional methods. It is important not to allow the peat to dry out. The main disadvantage of tablets is their cost. Growing a large number of seedlings in this way can be unprofitable.

How to choose?

Since tomatoes are large plants and with a fairly long growing season, they need enough tablets large diameter(at least 3.5 cm). You can combine peat pots and tablets. In this case, you can use only half of the disk or, if the plant has grown quite large, place the tablet in a large diameter pot.

When choosing pots and tablets from peat, it is important to pay attention to the structure of the peat mixture. It should be quite loose, small and soft. This contributes to better aeration of the root system and the water absorption of the tablet itself.

An important factor is the acidity of the substrate. This indicator is often indicated on the packaging, because for different cultures need a different reaction environment. Since tomatoes prefer neutral soils, and grow poorly on acidic soils, the soil for them should have a pH of 6-6.5.

The optimal size of tablets for tomatoes is 3.6-4 cm. After swelling, their height will increase from 1.5 to 36 and 38 cm, respectively. The tableted substrate should be sufficient big size so that its volume is enough until the end of growing seedlings.

It is important that the discs have a protective shell. It can be a mesh, film or paper impregnated with fungicides or other substances. Although uncoated tablets are cheaper, they are unable to retain their shape and require placement in a pot. Together pots and pills are even more expensive.

There are different ways to grow seedlings. Based on this, you can choose tablets placed in miniature greenhouses with a different number of washers or without them, in packages.

You can buy peat washers in special stores, hypermarkets or on the Internet.

How to use?

Tomatoes in peat tablets are grown different ways- in mini-greenhouses, pallets, cassettes.

Before sowing seeds, washers must be prepared. First of all, they are fed with water. To do this, the tablets are soaked in a container with warm water for 15-20 minutes. During this time, they will increase in height by 5-8 times, and the diameter will remain the same.

Several crystals of potassium permanganate can be added to the water for additional disinfection and enrichment with a potassium substrate. After that, the substrate is placed on a flat surface with the hole up.

To place the tablets in advance, you must prepare a mini-greenhouse or a container with or without a transparent lid. The cover contributes to the preservation of moisture and the required temperature in the peat until germination.

The tablets are stacked in such a way that there is no free space between them. This will ensure the stability of both themselves and future seedlings. You can put each washer in a separate container. In a separate cup, seedlings are more mobile - they are easier to transport and move if necessary.

In addition, tall cups are used for growing seedlings of tall varieties of tomatoes. In this case, uncoated tablets can be used. Sponge-like material can be placed on the bottom of the tray to help control substrate moisture.

The container should be high enough (about 10 cm high) so that the swollen washers and sprout are securely held. You can place the tablets in special cassettes with individual cups with a volume of at least 0.5 ml. In such a container, seedlings will be securely fixed.

Planting seeds in a tablet

There are a few simple rules on how to use and how to use peat seedling tablets.

Seeds must first be prepared. This can be done in different ways:

1. The seed is soaked for 1-2 days in a mixture of agave juice and water in a ratio of 1:1. This will increase the resistance of seedlings to adverse environmental conditions and many diseases, and increase productivity.
2. The seed is soaked for 24 hours in a 0.5% solution of baking soda. This promotes early fruiting.
3. Seeds are soaked for 2 hours in water with the addition of stimulants to accelerate germination.
4. Seed material can be placed for 20 minutes in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. Pre-seeds are wrapped in gauze or bandage.

1-2 seeds are placed in each tablet and deepened with a toothpick by 1.5 cm. Dried seeds, after being placed in the substrate, are additionally moistened with a pipette, and the shell is smeared with a toothpick to facilitate germination.

Top with a lid or foil. Tomatoes sown in this way quickly develop a strong and well-branched root system.

Optimal conditions for growing seedlings

Seeds germinate 5-10 days after they are sown, tomatoes should be sown 55-65 days before planting in open ground. Depending on the region, this may be the end of February or the beginning of March. The container with the tablets is placed in a bright, warm place. An east and west window will work well. The optimum temperature for seedlings is + 25 ... + 30 ºС.

Care of seedlings consists in regular watering, feeding, airing and lighting. It is necessary to regularly open the container for ventilation - at least 1 time per day for 60 minutes.

A sign that the plants need airing is the appearance of condensation on the lid. After spitting seedlings, the coating is removed altogether. If the window sill is cold, the greenhouse is installed on a thick layer of foam and closed from drafts.

Seedling care includes providing good lighting. If there is not enough natural light, phytolamps can be installed. The first 2-3 days after the appearance of the loops, the seedlings are illuminated around the clock, and then they switch to a 16-hour daylight hours.

Top dressing is applied 2-3 weeks after the appearance of sprouts, dissolving fertilizer in water for irrigation. Until this time, the tablet contains enough of its own nutrients. And from now on, fertilizers are applied every 10-14 days.

To do this, you can use nitrophoska (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water), pouring 0.5 cups of solution under each plant. Mineral fertilizers alternate with organic ones. 10 days before planting in the ground, seedlings are watered with superphosphate.

With this method of growing, seedlings do not need picking, but if necessary, each tablet can be placed in a separate larger container. In the case of germination of both seeds, one of the sprouts, the weaker one, is removed.

Rules for watering peat tablets

When growing tomatoes in peat tablets, constantly monitor the humidity. Before germination, this is easier to do thanks to the lid. Features of growing seedlings in the future are constant moisture. Even short-term drying of the substrate leads to the death of crops.

The tablet container must have holes for drainage. It is placed in a special tray. Planted tomatoes can be watered in 2 ways: through a pallet or by spraying. Before germination, it is better to moisten the substrate with an aerosol. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the small sprouts.

After germination, it is more convenient to water the seedlings through the pan, where water is poured. Loose peat, thanks to its capillary structure and high water permeability, absorbs as much moisture as needed. Excess water must be drained. Adult seedlings can be sprayed 1-2 times a day.

It has its own characteristics of growing seedlings in large quantities. In this case, drip irrigation is practiced.

First achievements

After the emergence of seedlings, you need to monitor the roots. After the appearance of the root from the bottom of the tablet, it is cut. The puck itself is cut in 2-4 places and placed in a larger container or seedlings are planted in open ground.

If the plants develop unevenly, the pelletized substrate is swapped or transferred to a more suitable location. For example, ready-made plants are taken out to open air for hardening.

1.5 months after germination, flower brushes appear on the sprouts. 10 days later, they are planted in open ground. The first flower brush can be removed by postponing the transplant for a week.

Quality seedlings should have thick stems, large leaves and a well-developed root system.

Secrets of experienced gardeners

A common mistake gardeners make is growing seedlings on the wrong substrate. The use of pelletized peat eliminates this problem. Washers are convenient to use when growing seedlings, both for open ground, and for greenhouses.

So that the seedlings have time to develop before planting, they must be sown no later than March 25. Seeds are kept on wet gauze for 5 days before immersion in the substrate to accelerate germination. Another secret - after the emergence of seedlings, you need to lower the temperature to +16 ºС for hardening.

Some gardeners remove the protective shell from the tablets. This is not necessary, as the planted tomatoes are able to break through the roots through the shell.

Video: how to use peat tablets

On the Internet you can find videos of master classes on growing seedlings of tomatoes and others. vegetable crops using peat washers with all the secrets and features.

When the last snow melts and the sun begins to warm up more and more, novice summer residents have to grow seedlings. This process itself is quite laborious, but you can do it easier and save yourself from hard work, while achieving high quality sprouts. This can be done by using pressed peat containers as planting containers.

A couple of decades ago, many gardeners had to plant seeds for seedlings in the materials they had on hand. For these purposes, they adapted boxes of juice, milk, cups of yogurt, sour cream, often used and homemade devices . However, the characteristics of these devices did not meet the expectations of summer residents.

This also affected peat pots which have been very popular until recently. Everything changed when pressed peat tablets appeared. Despite the fact that it is very convenient to plant seeds in such containers, and after sowing, almost all seeds germinate, they have one serious plus - these pots do not decompose in the ground for many months, since thick pressed cardboard is used for their manufacture.

Previously, the process of planting seedlings required a lot of strength, because you had to carefully cut the edge of the pot with a knife or other sharp object and carefully pull out the seedlings to place them on the bed. Things didn't always work out as planned. Therefore, if the owner provided proper care for the seedlings throughout the spring, then when it was transplanted into the ground, it often received damage. As a result of the fact that many of the seedlings were injured, at the end of the season the harvest turned out to be less than what the summer resident expected.

Peat tablets for seedlings are dry containers, puck-shaped, made of thin pressed wood material, inside of which there is pressed peat. To make the pots easier to use, they are made using the most suitable components, which go through a drying and pressing operation. After contact with warm water, the tablets begin to react and swell. As a result, their shape and size change. After that, they can be used for their intended purpose.

Instructions for use of peat tablets for seedlings

The process of using peat tablets involves the following steps:

• additives;
• fungicides;
• growth accelerators.

Therefore, when using peat tablets for growing seedlings, you can reduce the risk of infection with various diseases and decay.

Features of peat tablets

The cylinder is encased in a fine mesh material, thanks to which the peat retains its original shape during transport, as well as when growing and watering the seeds. Peat has optimal acidity for most plants. Mean ph is between 5.4 and 6.2. These tablets, even after 5-10 years, do not lose their original properties. However, for this they need to provide appropriate storage conditions: they must be kept in a dry place.

Peat briquettes are presented in stores of different sizes. They can have a diameter of 2.5 cm to 7 cm. However, experts advise choosing 4 cm briquettes, as they are ideal for garden seedlings.

If you need to grow seedlings from small seeds, then it is best to purchase discs of a smaller diameter. If you plan to grow seedlings of eggplant, pepper and tomato, then the largest briquettes are best for you.

What are the advantages of peat tablets for seedlings?

peat discs are a universal fit for growing seedlings. Therefore, you can plant anything you want in them, not only garden, but also flower crops.

Peat tablets are perfect for growing seedlings of delicate sprouts of petunia, lobelia, and certain types of plants that are contraindicated in picking. Given that the tablets contain additives, a high percentage of seed germination is ensured. This point is of particular importance if it is necessary to grow seedlings of expensive and rare crops, as well as seeds placed in a shell.

It is advantageous to use these briquettes also because stem and leaf cuttings are perfectly rooted in them. Thanks to peat tablets, you can save a lot of space that is used for planting. This moment is of particular importance for an apartment, where there is not always enough space for seedlings.

Thanks to peat containers, it becomes possible to arbitrarily choose places for placing seedlings, change seedlings in places if some have risen before others.

Considering the price of briquettes, and one a pot like this costs about 5 rubles, they are not suitable for growing a large number of seedlings. Peat discs will be primarily appreciated by summer residents who need containers for growing seedlings in a small volume.

How to use seedling tablets?

Before sowing in peat briquettes seeds need to be prepared:

In some cases it may be necessary cover the sown seeds. To do this, you need to use a special peat. After sowing, the seeds must be slightly deepened inward, and only then they are laid on top of the peat.

Dry or wet seeds can be used for planting. In the latter case, they must be placed in water for 2 days, waiting for their germination. In this case, they must be sown in peat tablets very carefully, using a spatula or a thin wooden stick.

When the seeds are in tablets, they must be well watered from a pipette. When the shell becomes soft, the shell must be spread over the peat with a toothpick. Thanks to this technique, you can speed up the process of seed germination.

Peat tablets are great for growing strawberry seedlings. A match can be used to sow the seeds of this crop. To pick up a seed with a match, you must first moisten its tip. After that his transferred to the recess of the tablet. After waiting for seedlings to appear from the seeds and they get stronger, you can transplant them to a permanent place, placing them in the ground along with a peat tablet.

Planting seeds in peat tablets

After completing the sowing of the seeds, they take transparent trays in which the tablets are placed, after which they are taken to the windowsill or other warm place. For the role of a pallet, you can use a plastic transparent box from under the cake. If a suitable lid was not found for the container, then a film is put on top of it, creating an optimal level of humidity inside.

It is best to put peat tablets in mini greenhouses with holes for each tablet. Water accumulation can be avoided if greenhouses are installed on special pallets. While the seedlings will grow and grow stronger, the optimum level of humidity should be maintained. In addition, they require regular ventilation, for which it is necessary to open the lid of the container.

It is also impossible to get strong seedlings without creating an optimal temperature regime. It is recommended to keep landing on the western or eastern window. The north side is not very suitable for growing seedlings due to the too cold microclimate. At the same time not best solution will install it on the south side, because at lunchtime the sun starts to warm here too much.

Gradually, drops of condensate will form on the walls of the container, at such moments it is necessary to open mini-greenhouses. For effective moisture removal, it is necessary to carry out airing at least once a day. Otherwise, you may encounter such an unpleasant phenomenon as mold, which will subsequently lead to the death of weak plants. When the first shoots appear, the cover is removed. At this time, watering should not be very plentiful. To do this, pour water into the bottom stand or use a spray bottle. When growing seedlings in room conditions, fertilizing is not required.

When using peat tablets for growing seedlings, the gardener will not have to pick, so during transplantation it will be enough for him to transfer the seedlings directly with the peat clod. This method of growing seedlings is beneficial in that during transplantation, damage to the root system of horticultural crops can be avoided. This point is of particular importance in cases where you have to deal with seedlings with small seedlings.

When growing seedlings, keep an eye on the cylinder. Finding that roots have appeared on it, know that the time has come for transplanting plants into more spacious containers. It is very important not to miss this moment, because otherwise the roots will intertwine with each other and grow. In this case, the plants will no longer be able to grow and develop normally. If peat tablets placed in a mesh shell are used to grow seedlings, then at the time of transplantation it must be cut to the root so that later the seedlings can take root well. However, in some cases this is not necessary, provided that the peat is placed not in a net, but in a thin layer of wood cardboard.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that today there are many methods for growing seedlings at home, every year more and more beginners and more experienced gardeners choose the method of growing them in peat tablets. Knowing how to plant in peat tablets, the gardener gets rid of many difficulties. Its main advantage is that during transplantation it is minimized risk of damage to the root system. This directly affects the future harvest of horticultural crops.

Growing seedlings using peat tablets today is not only the most common, but also the most effective way. Such a device is excellent for breeding a variety of crops, creating all the conditions for optimal seed germination and ideal rooting of cuttings. And now more about

Peat tablets - how to use for planting seeds

Varieties of peat tablets

There are many types of seedling tablets on sale. Each contains the main component - compacted fine-fiber peat, to which manufacturers add various necessary components.

The most common are humus and peat tablets, to which are added:

• mixture to stimulate growth;
• antibacterial drugs;
• solutions to reduce stress during transplantation.

Such an environment promotes maximum seed germination and rooting of cuttings of various plants. The mesh coating of the finished tablet allows it to be transported without any damage.

Improving the characteristics of the material for seedlings, manufacturers use peat of various qualities, adding a variety of impurities. Produced tablets also differ in shape and volume. In most cases, the height of the product does not reach eight millimeters, and the dimensions in diameter are from two to seven centimeters.

Peat tablets with a special paper or mesh coating, additionally treated with fungicides to protect the first shoots from fungal infections, became the best.

When buying a product, you should always pay attention to the acidity level indicated on the label, which is selected according to the needs of a particular plant.

For the best germination of crops, it is best to choose proven expensive brands of tablets, the structure of which includes high-quality peat and all impurities appropriate for favorable conditions.

Preparing for landing

Having decided on the size of the mixture of peat, you should choose the appropriate container. It can be, like a separate container for each tablet, or a capacious pallet.

When laying out peat tablets, it is necessary to leave gaps for the free growth of the root system of an individual plant.

Special recesses for seeds, provided by the manufacturer, must be on top.

The prepared material is poured with warm water, which should completely cover the tablet. After fifteen minutes, the peat mixture will swell and become much higher, while maintaining the original diameter dimensions.

Excess liquid should be drained from the already completely formed substrate.

Planting seeds in peat tablets

Seeds are planted both dry and pre-sprouted. Landing takes place in a few simple steps:

1. A couple of seeds are placed in the prepared recesses and sprinkled with prepared humus or a composition taken a little from the tablet itself.

1. The planting container is covered with a transparent coating, which is usually polyethylene or glass.

1. The sown container is placed in a warm place.

1. A prepared small greenhouse is often ventilated.

1. Periodic watering is carried out by spraying on the surface of the water.

Before the first shoots, it is imperative to monitor the temperature and humidity. After wetting, it is advisable to leave the soil to dry a little.

When sprouts appear, the cover is removed, and the container is placed in a sufficiently lit place, but a little cooler than the previous one. Watering is done by the capillary method - adding liquid from the bottom of the pan, because water, if it gets on the stems, can cause plant disease.

For planting in the ground, the roots do not open, but are transplanted along with the tablet. The peat composition, enriched with the necessary components, is further used as a fertilizer in the already open soil.

If several seeds were sown in one place, then before moving to the ground, the sprouts are carefully separated, and the peat is evenly distributed.

Various plants can be planted in peat tablets. The material is well suited for sprouts with delicate thin shoots and for crops that are difficult to dive.

The peat product has proven itself perfectly for the ideal development of the root system of deciduous and stem seedlings.

In ready-made tablets, gardeners have the opportunity to grow all types of vegetables, and flower growers can breed even the most difficult and rare plants.

The benefits of peat tablets

With the advent of peat preparations, cassettes and various plastic pots filled with soil have been pushed into the background. The predominant advantages of seedling tablets are:

Disadvantages of using peat tablets

With a lot of advantages, peat material still has some negative aspects:

• the price of a quality product is quite high, which is especially noticeable with quantitative plantings;
• constant moisture control, since peat tends to dry out;
• the need to use additional containers and other suitable containers.

When purchasing peat tablets, it should be noted not only reliable manufacturers, but also the expiration date and storage conditions of products, which is important for effective subsequent use.

For the correct use of peat soil, several points should be noted:

1. Peat tablets are used only once.

1. Some seeds are left without sprinkling - otherwise delicate thin plants may not germinate.

1. The seeded substrate should not be placed near a heater or radiator.

1. Cells for tablets are selected with a slightly larger diameter.

1. Several seeds of only those plants are laid out in one recess, the roots of which tolerate separation well.

1. It is important not to miss the moment of seed germination and remove the transparent cover in time to avoid deformation of the seedlings.

1. To grow seedlings, it is necessary to increase the volume of the recess intended for seeds.

1. It is advisable to cut and carefully remove the interlocking mesh before planting the sprouted crop, since it does not always dissolve in the soil.

Peat tablets are the most suitable material for various vegetable and flower crops. Their rich composition provides the seeds with all the necessary components for growing strong and resistant seedlings with a powerful root system.

For the best result, you only need to choose the right peat tablet for a particular plant and follow the instructions.

I wish you a rich and healthy harvest.