How to plant seeds for seedlings in peat tablets? How to plant seeds in peat tablets and why they are good What can be planted in peat tablets.

To date, invented different ways, allowing to simplify and speed up the process of germinating seeds for seedlings. One of these methods is the use of special peat tablets. With the help of an environmentally friendly device, growing becomes a pleasant and effortless process. Peat tablets are easy to use and, thanks to their unique composition, provide the seedlings with nutrients.

The advantage of peat tablets

In shape, tablets for sprouting peat seedlings resemble ordinary medical tablets, only much larger. They contain a large number of useful trace elements and other substances that have a beneficial effect on the development and growth of plants. Peat-based tablets help to grow a full-fledged strong plant that can give good harvest.

The tablets are peat pressed into a round washer and wrapped in a special mesh.

The original size of peat pellets is 8 centimeters in diameter and 3 centimeters in height. Soaked peat tablets, ready for use, increase several times in height, while the diameter remains unchanged. Planting seeds in peat tablets has several advantages over other germination methods:

rapid ascent of seeds;
ease of use;
saving space;
financial benefit.

The soft consistency of peat allows you to keep the plant root system intact. The structure of peat ensures easy penetration of water and air to the roots, which is favorable for the early development of seedlings. Even an inexperienced gardener can plant seeds in peat tablets. Seedlings grown in these devices can be easily transplanted to permanent place, since they are planted together with peat without prior extraction.

How to plant seeds

Before planting seeds, you need to pick up a transparent plastic container that will act as a mini-greenhouse. For this, packaging from a cake, salads and other similar containers are quite suitable. The height of the container should be sufficient to accommodate the tablets that have increased several times, as well as seedlings.

The process of planting seeds in peat devices, although simple, requires several clear steps:

1. First, remove the cellophane wrap from the purchased washer, which protects it from damage and possible shedding.
2. Tablets are placed in the prepared container upside down with the hole for the seed. At the same time, the nylon mesh is not removed. It is necessary to maintain the shape of the substrate. The tablets are stacked tightly to each other so that they do not turn over when they swell.
3. Then pour warm water into the container to swell the tablets. Water must be poured not onto the washers themselves, but into the sump so as not to destroy them. In this case, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate, growth stimulants, fertilizers or fungicides. The water will be absorbed in about half an hour, after which the excess moisture should be removed from the pan with a sponge.
4. Seeds are planted in prepared tablets by placing them in a depression in the center of a peat column. The seeds can be planted one at a time or in several, depending on their size and value.

The seed should be planted to a depth of two sizes. If they are very small, then you can not bury them, but simply scatter them over the surface, without covering them with a substrate.

Growing seedlings

After all the seeds have been sown, the container in which the pillars are located must be covered with a lid with holes made in advance. This will allow air to circulate and prevent congestion. The prepared mini-greenhouse is placed on the windowsill on the south side of the apartment so that the plants have enough light. If the daylight hours are short, then you can use special plant lamps, illuminating the greenhouse with them.

Do not allow the influence of cold on the greenhouse, this will destroy the plants. If it is cold on the windowsill, then a piece of polystyrene or foam rubber must be placed under the container for thermal insulation and protection from drafts. When condensation begins to collect inside the lid, it must be periodically removed and the plants ventilated. After the emergence of shoots, the lid is removed completely and the container is placed in such a way that the seedlings have enough light. You need to moisten the seedlings from the bottom, pouring water to the bottom of the container, and spray the top of the plants with water from a spray bottle.

After root system will develop well enough to penetrate the mesh of the posts, it is necessary to increase the space between the seedlings to prevent root systems from entangling. Before the appearance of green leaves, the seedlings do not need feeding, since that amount is enough for it nutrientsthat was put into the tablet during its production. Then you can add the first to the water for irrigation mineral fertilizers... But as practice shows, in most cases this is not required.

Before planting seedlings that have been grown in peat devices, they do not need to be dived. Simply loosen the soil in the garden bed or flowerpot to a depth that will allow the peat column to be flush with or slightly below the surface. The net that bounds the peat post can be removed or left in place. It does not interfere in any way with the development of the root system, and over time it completely dissolves in the soil. After that, the peat will mix with the soil and will at first act as a fertilizer.

Peat tablets were invented to make it easier for gardeners to grow seedlings and enrich the root system of plants with everything they need. In this case, the most favorable microclimate is created for the plants: the necessary humidity, air access and a suitable substrate density.

Many gardeners strive to plant petunias on their own. But this does not always work due to the fact that unsuitable conditions for germination are selected. The most the best way for planting, it is recognized to consider rooting in compressed peat tablets. Before deepening the seedlings, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the rules for planting and growing seedlings of a bright beauty. The information in this article will help you learn how to properly plant petunia seeds for seedlings in peat tablets. In addition, there are step by step instructions, recommendations, advice, video materials.

What are peat tablets, what are they, the benefits of planting

Peat tablets are round plates created from pressed peat of several varieties. Manufacturers add a certain set of mineral components to the composition of the material, as well as trace elements that stimulate the growth of the root system. All the necessary nutrients for good start development of a young seedling.

FROM outside peat pellet fixed with a dense mesh, which perfectly lets excess moisture out. The necessary air easily penetrates through the tissue shell, which is the mesh. This property is required for the normal development of the rhizomes of petunia seedlings at home.

Also specific the shell keeps its shape perfectly... When peat absorbs nutrient moisture, the latter tends to swell. At this point, the mesh prevents the inner soil from falling apart, remaining in the form of a bloated barrel.

Thanks to all the advantages of this method, it is very easy and convenient to use peat tablets for petunia seedlings.

The following advantages are distinguished for planting seed:

Peat tablets look like full-fledged cups, don't have to prepare plastic containers for placement of seedlings of petunias.
When placed, occupy small area.
Designed specifically for planting small seeds (like petunias) - they have a special groove.
Have specific internal structure - porous inside, excellent permeable to both moisture and air... The soil constantly remains airy and loose, which has a beneficial effect on fast development root system.
When planting petunias in tablets no additional mineral fertilizers are requiredto stimulate seed development. More full information you can study about feeding petunia seedlings in other cases.
Cannot over-water the plant, provoking stagnation of water in the ground. All excess nutrient moisture not required by the plant flows into the pan. Pour it out of the pallet.

Important! Planting a plant in open ground, it is imperative to cut the mesh in the middle and completely remove it from the peat. If this is not done, then the root system will completely fill the entire space, as a result, the flower will begin to wither and eventually die.

Tablets come in various sizes: 27, 36, 42, 70, 90 mm... For germinating seedlings, both the smallest and largest sizes are suitable. Before you plant petunia seeds in peat tablets, you should choose optimal size for planting material.

The photo below illustrates what a petunia seedling looks like when planted in peat tablets:

Important! Buy well-packed tablets. It is imperative to check that they have a protective plastic mesh and a forming mesh. Without their presence, the material for planting petunia seeds is not worth buying.

How to plant petunia seeds in peat tablets

For planting seed petunias, a certain time is selected. Timing is adjustable for different varieties separately. In most cases, disembarkation takes place in March. With early planting, the sprouts that have appeared will have to be additionally highlighted with phytolamps. If you correctly sow petunia for seedlings in peat tablets, then the seedlings for planting will be ready in 3 months.

Note! By choosing torphan tablets for growing petunias from seeds at home, it is better to stop at a cassette diameter of 4 cm.

Let's figure out how to plant petunia seeds in peat tablets in stages.

Primarily necessary pre-prepare the planting soil... A deep container is selected in which the tablets are placed in one row. Water is poured on top of them and left for a short time (up to 30 minutes). They manage to absorb all the moisture from the container and turn into a kind of barrels, increasing 8 times.

Important! It is forbidden to suddenly pour water into the sump, since the liquid that gets on the peat can wash out all the nutrients contained in the soil.

After complete absorption of water, the remaining moisture should be removed from the pallet.... The planting process now begins. Petunia seeds are tiny grains. A moistened toothpick will help to sow petunia correctly in peat tablets. With its help, small seeds are picked up and put into the hole on top of the tablets.

Caution! After sowing petunias in peat tablets, the seeds need to be lightly squeezed into the ground. In no case should you drop seeds with soil. Then they will rot and will not rise. Seed germination is stimulated only by exposure to light.

In specialized stores, pelleted seeds are sold in almost all packages. They have a dense shell, equipped with nutrients that help the sprout to hatch faster, while saturating it with a growth stimulant. The upper shell can be helped to dissolve for faster germination.For this use a spray bottlespraying planting petunias with warm water.

Landings are covered with a plastic lid or film in order to create greenhouse conditions and promote the rapid germination of petunia seeds at home.

Step by step photography planting petunias in peat tablets:

The greenhouse is placed in a warm place with a lot of sunlight.... It is recommended to maintain the temperature inside the container at the level of +21 .. + 25 0 С. A decrease in air degrees negatively affects the seedlings, they stop growing.

Video: how to properly plant petunia seedlings with seeds in peat tablets.

Petunia seedling care after germination

After sowing petunia seeds for seedlings in peat tablets, you should periodically open the container for watering and removing condensation.

Attention!The first shoots appear in 5-15 days. Some earlier, others slightly later, but almost all planted planting material has a good germination capacity.

To obtain high-quality seedlings, you should properly care for petunia in peat tablets after germination:

The emerging seedlings must be constantly monitored... Temperature for rapid growth should be left at +22 0 С, placing the container with plantings in a sunny place. On cloudy days, it is worth additionally illuminating with phytolamps in order to withstand daylight hours for 12-14 hours.
During the opening of the greenhouse it is recommended not only to ventilate, but also soft cloth or a tissue to remove damp evaporation... This will help prevent any fungal diseases, which often affect young seedlings, for example, black leg.
There are no specific requirements for watering petunia seedlings in peat tablets. It is necessary to carry out the introduction of nutrient moisture at the moment when the peat begins to dry out... Having completely dried out, the soil will entail the death of the developed plant. Watering requires standing water room temperature... After watering, water that has seeped through the soil must be removed from the sump.
Top dressing is not worth doing... All nutrients are pre-stored in a peat pot. If you feed the plant at home at this stage, you can provoke a bush disease. Better to leave the bush without mineral feedingthan to ruin it.

Transplanting seedlings into open ground

Transplant petunias in open ground from peat tablets are carried out in the last days of May and until the middle of the first decade of June... These periods are optimal for planting in the southern regions of Russia and above, which is due to the fact that the air temperature is set at a positive mark of + 10 + 15 0 C. At the same time, the soil warms up thoroughly, and there is no longer any danger in the last frosts, which can ruin tender seedlings.

Attention!Before planting in open ground, the mesh on the ground must be cut off, otherwise the seedling will outlive itself and die from lack of soil.

Although many gardeners advise to leave the grid, arguing that it will dissolve on its own, but such a judgment is wrong - it will remain and will interfere with the development of the root system.

Before carrying out planting activities in open ground, you should prepare seedlings and arrange training days for them. 9-10 days before transplanting petunia from peat tablets into open ground, it is necessary to stop watering the seedlings, but at the same time do not let the peat dry out completely.

Move the pots to the open air daily and temper them. Here's how to do it:

On the first day, keep them for no more than 5 minutes. fresh air... The next day, it is worth slightly increasing the interval of air baths.
By the 10th day, you should take the seedlings of petunias in tablets outside for the whole day.
In the next 3 days, you need to leave the plant to spend the night outside, but under a canopy, so that in case of rain, drops do not fall on the seedlings.
On the last day before the start planting works you should start preparing a flower bed or bed where the plant will be placed.

If the acidity level of the earth does not show 5.5, then an additional 0.2 kg should be added per 1 m 2 of lime... It will equalize the pH environment in the area to the required level. You can add rotted humus to the soil, the plant will respond to such feeding with active growth and development of both green mass and rhizomes.

Outdoor planting should be done early in the morning, but best late in the evening... During the night, the plant will be able to acclimatize in a new place. Besides, the best option it will be a cloudy warm day.

A hole in the ground should be dug no more than 10 cm in both depth and width. Distance between holes for planting seedlings of petunias in peat tablets is required choose based on the variety,which you want to grow at home:

For small-flowered petunias - from 19 to 22 cm;
For large-flowered bushes - 24-28 cm from each other;
For bush plants - up to 35 cm.

Important! When transplanting petunias into open ground, in no case should the seedlings be removed from the tablet - all rhizomes will be damaged. The only thing that needs to be done is to carefully cut and remove the mesh.

The plant is placed in the ground and covered with earth from above, slightly compacted on top. Necessarily required to water big amount warm water... This is necessary to smooth out the difference between open ground and peatland.

Further care should be carried out according to the recommendations for caring for adult petunia shrubs.

Thus, planting petunia seeds for seedlings in peat tablets is the most the best way for growing seedlings. This method does not require additional home care while in separate flowerpots. Seedlings are planted together with a lump of peat, from which the plant receives all the nutrients. Therefore, gardeners in most cases choose this particular method of sowing seeds, which helps to grow remarkably healthy and high-quality seedlings of beautiful flowers.

Video: correct fit petunias for seedlings in peat tablets.

In contact with

For growing seedlings that do not tolerate transplanting, peat seedling tablets are a convenient thing. In addition, the seeds do not always germinate amicably, and in this case there is an opportunity to transfer the "firstborn" to cool place, and to those who are late, give the opportunity to “soak up” in the warmth. This year, I will plant tomatoes, peppers, and I don’t plant annuals in tablets due to the catastrophic lack of time in the summer. As I grow up, I will transplant into more spacious containers.

True, I was very worried about the question, do they have an expiration date? That is, immediately purchase a large number of 30-100 pieces in order to use it next year. They are so small and compact, I liked it. It turned out to be possible. If stored in a dry place, they absolutely do not lose their properties.

How to plant in peat tablets

First, you need to fill dry tablets with warm water (for efficiency, I added epin), and wait 5 minutes for it to increase in size. It increases in height by about 7 times. Then drain the water, expand the depression in the upper part of the tablet, place the seeds there, 2 - 3 pcs., Depending on the germination of the seeds, not all will sprout. Place the tablets in a greenhouse or mini-greenhouse for better seed germination.

Be sure to monitor the humidity and water the seedlings regularly. The thing is that the tablets dry very quickly and you need to constantly monitor their moisture content. It is very convenient to use peat tablets, planting cucumbers in peat tablets is especially good. Because cucumbers do not tolerate when their roots are disturbed during transplantation, and if you grow cucumbers and other similar plants in peat tablets, then they can be immediately transplanted into the garden in the garden, and the roots are not damaged.

Seedlings of flowers, for example petunias, and seedlings of strawberries grow well in peat briquettes. And making a mini-greenhouse for peat briquettes is very simple. We need 2 cups. We put a soggy briquette with seeds or sprout in one, and close it with another glass on top.

Peat tablets reviews when using

It is very convenient to germinate tomatoes and peppers anyway and then transplant them into large cups. If they are placed on the ground or sawdust, small peat roots will sprout and then easily separate after transportation.

It all depends on the size of the roots and the plant itself, agricultural technology. Lettuce, cabbage, as it grows, can be immediately transplanted into a polycarbonate greenhouse or greenhouse without damaging the roots. It all depends on the number of transplants and the size of the coma required. It is convenient to transplant the tomato into a large container, push it deeper and not every large container will fit a large tablet if it is lowered and sprinkled. Tomatoes dive in crumbs. It is easier not to loosen by pulling out the roots with breaks, but simply to germinate in tablets. Cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini and watermelon melons generally do not like transplanting. I germinated and while the little ones were buried in a large container before planting in (or immediately in peat pots). Let's take a closer look at how to use seedling tablets for certain crops.

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How to plant cabbage in peat tablets

A peat tablet is prepared for any planting of seeds in the same way - it must be filled with warm water and swell to a ready-to-use state. Cabbage seeds, if they are not purchased in a store, are prepared by hardening in the form of immersion in hot (about 50 C) water for 15 minutes, and then in cold water for a couple of minutes, followed by drying. Two seeds are planted in each tablet in order to remove the weaker sprout later. Cabbage is quite demanding on light, i.e. the seed tablets should be conveniently located in the seedling box, which in turn is placed in a well-lit area of \u200b\u200bthe window.

In addition, cabbage moisture-loving plant, and the tablets, as we remember, dry quickly, therefore it is very important to observe the timely watering of the tablets when growing cabbage seedlings in this way. At the first stage of growth, seedlings do not need feeding, but since the tablets themselves do not contain useful elements of feeding, like some soils, it is supposed to fertilize the seedlings in the future. So, what if someone has a question: is it possible to plant cabbage in peat tablets? Of course you can! The main thing is not to forget about leaving - to air and water, in fact, like any other plant.

Planting tomatoes in a peat tablet

Tomatoes in peat tablets (planted in the same way as described above for cabbage) germinate until the bottom of the tablet of the central root of the plant appears. After that, the root should be trimmed and the tablet itself should be cut from 2 or 4 sides, placed in a larger and more convenient container, for example, in a plastic half-liter glass or a trimmed eggplant, adding nutrient soil to it.

You can plant peppers in peat tablets in the same way as tomatoes. In the case of germinating pepper seeds, it is better to use planting two seeds at once, so that in the future it will be possible to choose the stronger one from two sprouts, removing the weak one.

Planting eggplant in a peat tablet

It is recommended to plant eggplants in a tablet with a diameter larger than tomatoes and peppers, preferably in a tablet with a diameter of 7 cm. Do not put them very close to neighboring eggplants so that the roots do not intertwine during formation. How to transplant eggplants from tablets into open ground? This question is more pressing, in contrast to the transfer of seedlings, for example a tomato, which transfer transplantation much easier than eggplant. Therefore, it is worth carefully cutting the mesh on the tablet, placing the eggplant sprout in the prepared hole, without deepening the plant to a greater depth than it sprouted from the tablet.

How to plant flowers in a peat tablet?

It is convenient to germinate flowers in peat tablets that are considered difficult to grow, for example:

Eustoma - very small seeds of this flower should be applied to the tablet with a moistened tip of a toothpick, 4-5 pieces per tablet surface. Sufficient hydration without overflow, will sprout in a week and a half. When several pairs of leaves form, the seedling can already be transplanted into a separate pot and wait for sufficient warming for summer cottage for transplanting it into open ground.
Petunia. Practical advice for eustoma are also suitable for this capricious and difficult to germinate flower. The seeds are just as small and the toothpick is just as relevant.
Balsams. They have proven themselves very well in germination in peat tablets. Seedlings grow very quickly, and in the first week they form a strong viable sprout, which after a while pleases with a bush that has formed. It is worth watching the roots growing through the tablet in order to give them more space in time - transplant into a large container before transferring to open ground.

Many house flowers, such as cyclamens and violets, are also useful in peat tablets.

Tips and reviews for growing seeds in peat tablets

There are peat tablets for seedlings of 2 cm and 4 cm, the height is meant. But I can't even imagine what 2 cm is suitable for. It's easier to grow everything at 4 cm! I grew in them ampel petunia, sown in March, before planting in the ground, was transplanted together with the tablets into cups! And then what to say about 2 cm? Probably just something very small and slow-growing, such as primroses.

Growing in peat tablets reviews of an experienced gardener: sauces, such as sweet peas, can be planted in tablets only if each tablet is in its own additional container (glass) so that the tablets cannot come into contact with each other. Sweet pea he does not like transplantation and his roots are very delicate, but they grow very quickly and all the tablets are intertwined with these roots. It is very difficult to separate them without trauma.

Many people like to grow seedlings with their own hands. This process captivates and captures, makes it possible to observe the origin of the sprout and its development.

At the same time, of course, every gardener wants to have strong seedlings with a strong root system. In a word, one that will give a good harvest and justify the financial and labor costs invested in it, as well as the time spent.

The benefits of peat for seedlings

Than younger plant, the more it is sensitive and demanding to correct composition substrate, sufficient nutrition, temperature and light conditions.

AT last years peat tablets for seedlings appeared to help gardeners, allowing them not to waste time and effort on providing plants with suitable soil.

In addition to the actual substrate, composed of necessary elements in the right proportions, they contain nutrition for the seeds that will provide them with everything they need.

Many experienced gardeners also consider peat mixtures the best substrate for seedlings. Due to its air and moisture permeability, as well as saturation with a large amount nutrients, the seedlings will receive the necessary nutrition, which will allow them to develop actively and successfully.

Having appeared on the market not very long ago, they won the favor of buyers. On sale are tablets for planting seedlings, combining a convenient shape and beneficial influence peat substrate.

They are used by both professionals and amateur gardeners. Direct appointment tablets consists of:

growing;
germinating seeds;
rooting cuttings
use as a primer for.

Peat consists of decayed marsh vegetation and mosses, in which nature has laid the full composition.

Did you know? Beneficial features peat is even used in the preparation of some drugs for the treatment of eyes, joints, of cardio-vascular system and eczema.

Washers are a dry compressed substance enriched with antibacterial additives, growth stimulants, etc. Similar in shape to a pill, they get their name. The product is packed in a net that keeps it from spilling during use.

It can be removed so that the root system feels freer and develops better, or you can leave it as it is: the roots grow beautifully through it.

The composition of the washer is optimally balanced for the speedy germination of seeds and the comfort of the plants.

A mixture of peat and humus saturates the plant with nutrients.
Antibacterial drugs inhibit the growth of pathogens.
Minerals stimulate growth.

In the manufacture of tablets, peat is used, which has a different fraction, information about this should be present on the package.

Before buying tablets, you should find out what kind of acidity the environment is required for the plants planted in them.

Neglecting this factor, you can get disastrous results in the form of a slowdown in growth and development and even death of seedlings or seeds.

Did you know? Peat accounts for about 3% of the entire solid surface of the planet. Only Scottish lands are 30% peat. Russian peat bogs occupy 32%, that is, a third of the entire territory of the state, and up to 280 million tons are produced annually.

You cannot buy peat tablets for seedlings in bulk without packaging, which contains information about the characteristics of the substrate and its purpose, as well as detailed descriptionhow to use them.

Instructions for the use of peat tablets

The use is not difficult at all. It is this simplicity in combination with the benefits for plants that has won a huge number of fans.

Planting seedlings in tablets still requires some skills and adherence to simple rules, despite their ease of use. Let's consider step by step how to use peat tablets.

First of all, the washer should be freed from the cellophane packaging, which protects it from premature shedding and other damage.
Place in a pre-selected container with a transparent lid, which will serve as a mini, the right amount with the seed hole facing up.

In this case, it is impossible to remove the nylon mesh - it subsequently retains its shape and prevents the substrate from scattering.

It is better if the tablets are located tightly, in contact with each other. Having swollen, they in this case will not deform and turn over, tightly held by their neighbors.

For fixing, disinfected sand poured onto the bottom is sometimes used. Pills are placed in it and subsequently watered. This method makes it somewhat difficult to control moisture in the greenhouse, but you can not be afraid of displacement and falling during deformation.

A few words about the container for the mini. It should accommodate the number of peat washers you need, so you should "try on" in advance how they will be located.

It must be remembered that after swelling, the tablets will grow eightfold in height, turning into columns. This circumstance must be taken into account when choosing a container, as well as not forgetting about the place for the future hatching sprout. The sum of these values \u200b\u200bis its height.
A disposable cake container, salad containers, and other disposable dishes with transparent lids are best suited for these purposes.

The location of each column in a separate container, for example, plastic cups, is impractical for any decent scale: after all, each of them will need to be covered with something transparent, and subsequently create the same microclimate.

It is much more convenient to place them under one "roof", where you can easily carry out maintenance and control the process. Even a plastic bag fixed on top with an elastic band can play the role of a "roof".

Cover them with warm water to swell.

You do not need to pour water into the tablets themselves, the jet can deform them. It is better to pour it into the tray in which they are located in small portions to avoid floating.

Excess water half an hour after the tablets swell and turn into columns, absorb with a sponge without turning the container with the contents over.

Important! Cold water will be absorbed longer than warm, you need to take this into account for the correct timing.

After the swollen columns are ready to receive the seeds, it's time to sow them into the substrate. In the groove made in the middle of the top of the washer, one or two should be placed, depending on the value and amount of available seedprepared by seed. They can be dry, soaked, processed, and so on.

When sowing, remember the rule that the seeds should be buried in the ground to a depth equal to two sizes of the seed. Small seeds can be simply laid out on the surface of the soil without covering with a layer of substrate.

Important! It is recommended to scatter very small and especially valuable seeds on paper of a contrasting color and, picking up the seed with the tip of a moistened toothpick, place it on the place of future habitat.

Sowing suitable way all prepared posts, the container in which they are located, should be covered with a lid with several ventilation holes, which must be done in order to avoid stagnation of air and related processes.

The mini-greenhouse is placed in a warm and bright place, on a windowsill, the window of which faces south, west or east. If there is not enough light, additional illumination with special ones is necessary to ensure its biological daylight hours.

Important! Cold is a big enemy of seedlings, therefore, if the windowsill is cold, you should put it under the greenhouse thermal insulation material: polystyrene, foam rubber and the like. Drafts should also be avoided.

From the moment when condensation appears on the inside of the lid, the seedlings need to be ventilated.

After the plants hatch and show their cotyledon leaves, the lid should be removed and make sure that they still have enough light.

Watering is carried out not in columns, but at the bottom of the container, the aboveground part of the plants is sprayed with a spray bottle.

Important! In no case should the peat dry out - this will seriously damage, or even destroy the seedlings.

After the developed and strengthened root system begins to leave the tablet, it is very important to move them away from each other so that the roots of neighbors do not penetrate. In this case, it will be impossible to separate them without injuring them, and a strong and healthy root is the key to a strong plant and future harvest.

Picking, or transplanting seedlings from boxes into open ground, is a real stress for any plant. There is a high probability of damage to the root system, or that a fungus has lurked in the black soil. To make a strong and healthy shoot from a grain, which will give a rich harvest, modern summer residents use peat tablets.

Benefits of peat tablets

In specialized stores you can find brown washers of various diameters with a hole for seeds. Outside there is a fine mesh that holds compressed high-moor peat with antibacterial additives and mineral components that nourish the plant.

There are several advantages of tablets:

The base is breathable, so the root system is constantly supplied with oxygen.
These alternative pots are compact and do not take up much space. Small-diameter tablets will easily fit into a cake box.
During transplanting, seedlings are not removed from the peat base, but placed in the ground with it.
The outer shell dissolves gradually, and at the initial stage protects immature plants from fungus.
Thanks to mineral supplements and growth stimulants, the seeds do not need additional fertilization, and the shoots are strong and give a rich harvest.
In peat tablets, capricious and delicate plants... Such devices are often used to grow expensive crops, and seedlings that do not tolerate picking well.

How to choose the right peat tablets

It is better to buy tablets with a loose structure, because in coarse and densely compressed varieties, the root system does not develop well and becomes weak. Coniferous plants and flowers love acidic soil. Vegetable crops and strawberries must be grown in a neutral environment. It is worth buying tablets in boxes where the acidity level is indicated.

Size matters
Tablets with a diameter of 24 to 36 mm are suitable for small strawberry or petunia seeds. Variants ranging in size from 41 to 70 mm are used for growing eggplants, cucumbers, tomatoes and cabbage, which need a lot of space for root development.

Saving is bad
Some summer residents choose cheap tablets without a paper shell, but it is better not to spare money and buy copies in cardboard cups. First, they are impregnated with fungicides that will protect plants from fungus. Secondly, it is thanks to the shell that the peat keeps its shape during swelling, otherwise it will crumble and fall apart in the hands.

Before use, tablets must be soaked in water so that they swell and increase in size by 6 times, and sometimes by all 8.

Put the peat base on a tray, plastic or iron, you can plastic box from under a cake or dish from under rolls and other products that do not leak, and have a lid.
The hole for the seeds should be on top, because it is better not to turn swollen tablets over.
A distance must be maintained between the alternative pots, otherwise the seedlings may overlap with roots during growth and be difficult to neatly separate.
It is better to take warm water, then the peat swells faster. Pour liquid onto a tray so that it covers the top of the tablets. After 2-3 minutes, they will begin to absorb moisture and rise up.
If necessary, add a little water until the peat stops sucking it in. Drain off any remaining liquid to prevent stagnation in the tray.
If necessary, you can break the net at the top to expand the cultivated area. Bend the edges inward so that they do not interfere and do not catch on each other.
In cases where only one grain is placed in a tablet, it is not necessary to tear the mesh.

Tip: Peat tablets can be placed on a pallet, in a cassette with special cells, or in a box filled with coarse river sand, which will take away excess water, preventing the appearance of rot and fungus.

The planting material is carefully checked and sorted out, throwing out empty and spoiled specimens. Large seeds, like those of cucumbers or tomatoes, are stuck into the peat and pushed inside with a finger. The seed should be at a depth, which is calculated by the formula: 2 * the length of the workpiece. Sprinkle it on top with a layer of humus, or gently rake peat from the edges into the center of the tablet.

Small seeds, like strawberries or some garden flowers, are pried off with a damp toothpick or match. Put the workpiece in the recess, and lightly sprinkle with soil, or leave it open if the culture loves a lot of light.

How much to plant
To grow ordinary seedlings, for example, cucumbers or cabbage, you need to stick 2-3 seeds. Usually everyone takes root, but only the strongest and strongest sprout needs to be left. Gently pull out the rest.

Expensive specimens are spent more economically: there is only 1 seed for 1 tablet of peat, maximum - 2, to be sure that the culture will germinate.

Optimal conditions for growing seedlings

Containers with future seedlings are covered plastic cover or a piece of plastic bag. Glass can be used. Put the drawers on the bedside table or bookcase, the room should be warm, because in cold conditions the seedlings do not germinate, freeze and die.

Do not place tablets near batteries or other heating objects. The soil will dry out, and the plants will become weak, in need of additional feeding.

During the day, you can put containers with seeds on the windowsill so that sunlight falls on them. It is helpful to open the lid for 1 to 2 hours daily to prevent condensation from forming inside the box.

Tip: Peat tablets with capricious plants can be placed in plastic cups, which are covered with plastic bags. Thanks to the miniature greenhouse effect, the seedlings hatch faster.

You cannot keep seeds on the windowsill around the clock, especially at night. They freeze and break out later than specimens that were in warm conditions. When there are pots with plants on the windowsill, you cannot open the window for airing.

Watering rules for peat tablets

Until the seedlings hatch, you can spray the peat tablets from a spray bottle so that they do not dry out, but also do not get wet. If a white fluff appears on them, you need to reduce the amount of liquid.

The water must be defended for at least a day so that harmful impurities settle to the bottom. White bloom on tablets indicates an excess of salt and heavy metals. In this case, it is better to pass the water through a filter.

The peat should dry out a little between waterings. If the soil remains wet, it is best not to add liquid to avoid creating conditions for the development of fungus.

First achievements

After the sprouts appear, one edge of the lid is advised to be lifted by placing matchbox... It is better to ventilate the seedlings 2-3 hours a day, but avoid drafts. When green stems hatch, spraying is stopped. Now water is poured onto a tray so that the peat will absorb it and water the roots of the plants.

2 weeks after germination, growth stimulating components can be added to the irrigation fluid. It is advised to try "Fitosporin", which disinfects the soil with water, preventing the appearance of mold and fungi.

Tip: It is not necessary to remove the outer shell from the tablets, which prevents the peat from breaking down. The roots develop well in such conditions, and become strong enough to break through the thin frame. Seedlings are planted in the ground along with a paper cup.

Secrets of experienced summer residents

It is useful to take out grown and matured shoots to the balcony when the air outside warms up. Enough 2 hours a day for plants to quickly adapt to new conditions after planting in open ground.
If the seed does not take root in any of the tablets, you can plant a ready-made sprout in its place, which remained after thinning the seedlings.
The sprouts can be moved to the open field after 3-4 weeks. If the culture belongs to the category of heat-loving and whimsical, it is better to wait until 10-12 weeks, when the roots begin to break through the outer shell.
Seedlings are placed in the ground without removing them from the tablet. The cardboard or netting dissolves over time in the ground, turning into additional fertilizer for plants.

Peat tablets are a godsend for summer residents and gardeners who want to get strong and stable seedlings every year that can give a rich harvest. They are compact and easy to use, and contain all the necessary components for the rapid growth of garden flowers and vegetables.