All summer residents know that in the early spring it is worth starting work to get a good harvest in the future. Therefore, in February-March, they actively begin to germinate seeds to obtain high-quality, good seedlings. Today, there are many options for growing seedlings. Consider one of the most popular ways - growing seedlings using peat tablets. How to use it, especially planting and growing - these are the main issues that interest modern summer residents.
What is the peculiarity of peat?
First you need to figure out what peat is. On the surface of the earth in a swampy area, the remains of mosses and various organic substances often accumulate. They gradually decompose, eventually turning into a useful substance - peat. It consists of 55% carbon, so it ideally exhibits thermal insulation characteristics.
Peat is also used as fuel. And in the agricultural industry it is actively used as fertilizer. In decorative floriculture and gardening often use the top layer of peat. Peat humus is made from it.
Experienced agronomists have long learned that it is necessary to fertilize the soil with peat. Such top dressing significantly increases the fertility of the earth. In flower shops you can find peat based mixes. Their composition is rich in humus, and this has a positive effect on the condition of plants.
Application area
In order for the seeds to sprout, they need 2 components: moisture and heat. As indicated above, peat has the ability to retain heat and retain moisture. Therefore, this material is ideal for growing seedlings in the early stages.
Many do not know how to use a peat tablet for growing seedlings. In fact, it replaces the soil when growing some ornamental plants that need a moist environment. Often these are tropical plant species. Peat tablets are also used to grow seedlings with a sensitive root system. Such plants do not tolerate transplantation.
Peat is a crumbly, soft material in which the root system develops quickly and well, without being injured. Thanks to the use of peat tablets, gardeners and flower growers do not think about additional plant nutrition. All the necessary elements at the initial stage of development are provided by the tablet. Thus, you can save on the purchase of complex fertilizers.
Variety of peat tablets
Today on sale you can find peat tablets in the form of a washer or square. Many do not know how to use a peat tablet and which is better to choose. In fact, the form does not matter. Each pill is individually packed in a thin net. Often in this form are produced by foreign manufacturers. Domestic analogues rarely supply products in a net made of natural material, so it is better to use them for growing plants in separate pots. After all, as soon as a peat washer is filled with water, it becomes soaked and loses its shape. The main thing is to know how to soak peat tablets correctly.
Such a washer contains not only peat, but also various additives. They are necessary for the normal development of seedlings. Such substances provide the plant with the necessary micronutrients, reduce stress during transplantation into open ground. Many manufacturers include fungicides and growth stimulants, mineral fertilizers. Which peat tablets are better? Choose only for you.
The sizes of peat tablets are available: from 25 to 90 mm in diameter, from 8 to 30 mm in height. On the surface of the tablet there are small holes in which the seeds are placed in the future.
In the manufacturing process, all substances are disinfected. As a result, the final product does not contain pathogenic microflora, weeds and pest larvae.
How to use?
From the above, we can conclude that peat tablets are used for seedlings. They can also be used as additional fertilizing for plants on beds or flower beds. At home, such tablets are also used when propagating plants by the method of cuttings.
Use for growing seedlings
So, how to use a peat tablet correctly? There are 2 ways to place the tablets. Each of them has its own advantages. Experienced summer residents use peat tablets for seedlings in this way:
- Location next to each other. The washers are laid on a capillary mat, a plastic pallet or on a sand layer 2-5 cm thick.
- Each tablet is placed in plastic cassettes or pots so that the indentations for the seed are placed on top.
Before planting in peat tablets, it is necessary to soak them. How to do it? How to soak peat tablets? It is enough to put them in a container and pour water. In this state, it is necessary to leave the washers for 15-20 minutes. During this time, they will pick up moisture well and significantly increase in size. Experienced summer residents recommend using warm water for these purposes. Mesh coated tablets often only increase in height.
When planting seeds, you need to pay attention to their quality. For example, the seed of expensive Dutch vegetables can be sown individually, placing them in a separate pot. In this case, 1 seed is added to 1 tablet. Cheaper seeds are recommended to sow 2-3 pieces per tablet or use the first planting method (total capacity).
Pay attention to the size of the seed. If the seeds are large, they must be placed deeper, and if small, practically on the surface. In this case, it is necessary to be guided by the rule: the planting depth should be 2 times the diameter of the seed.
Planting in peat tablets requires a minimum of strength. All pots and containers are recommended to be signed in order to know where which variety is located.
Growing Features
On peat tablets, seedlings are grown in the same way as on soil mixtures. Immediately after sowing, the container is covered with glass, film and installed in a warm place. Such a greenhouse effect will allow you to quickly wake up all the sprouts. After germination, the shelter can be removed.
The advantages of growing seedlings in peat tablets are the absence of a dive process. When sowing in a common pan, it is enough to transfer each tablet with a grown seedling into an individual pot, pre-filled with nutrient soil.
Experienced summer residents noticed that seedlings grown in this way are more stress-resistant, and grows faster, because it does not expend energy on adapting to conditions after a dive.
Features of watering
How to soak peat tablets before planting, we already know. But this moisture is not enough to fully grow seedlings. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly monitor the degree of moisture of peat throughout the entire process of growing plants. The substrate should not dry out, but it cannot be too wet.
Between waterings, the washer should dry out a bit, because at this moment the tablet is saturated with air, which is necessary for the normal development of the root system. Humidify the surface with a spray gun. It is necessary to ensure that the surface of the peat is not eroded. After the first sprouts, it is necessary to water the plant from below, pouring water into the pan or at the bottom of the container. Peat tablets are well moistened from below: they absorb liquid well (water or nutrient solution).
Other uses of peat tablets
Peat washers are also used as fertilizer for adult plants. In this case, when transplanted, 2 medium-sized tablets are placed in the container.
Experienced gardeners often use this method of fertilizing various plants. But sometimes there is no 100% certainty that the washer is sterile. In this case, it is enough to fill the tablet for swelling with a solution of potassium permanganate, which will destroy all harmful microorganisms.
Many summer residents actively use peat tablets to root cuttings. Reviews confirm that this is an effective way. Rooting the cuttings in the open field is not so difficult, but you should choose a warm season. This method is especially suitable for rooting capricious plants. It is possible to use a greenhouse with peat tablets.
Tablets are prepared in the same way as for planting seedlings. Green cuttings must first be treated with a growth stimulator, and then placed in peat to a depth of 2 cm. To stimulate the formation of the root system, it is desirable to cover the container with a transparent film or glass, creating a greenhouse. As soon as the roots begin to outgrow the tablet, you can gradually pour the soil mixture into the container.
Expert Advice
Often summer residents notice that a white coating appears on the surface of the tablet. It indicates abundant watering of seedlings, so it is necessary to reduce its frequency. If cultivation occurs in greenhouse conditions, you should think about more frequent ventilation.
Many are interested in the period during which it is necessary to transfer the seedling into a separate pot. As soon as the roots of the plant begin to be visible on the surface of the tablet, it must be moved with a peat washer in an individual pot. If the tablet is covered with a net, it must be carefully cut and removed.
Peat Pill Manufacturers
Today, there are a large number of foreign and domestic companies that provide consumers with high-quality peat tablets.
The well-known Norwegian manufacturer Jiffy in the world has perfectly proved itself. Here, not only peat tablets are made and sold hereinafter, but also additional goods, for example, mini-greenhouses and neat containers. The company also produces coconut fiber washers.
Well-established Danish company Ellepress. Peat tablets of this company are made from light Finnish peat, which is considered to be of high quality.
Domestic companies have also proven themselves on the positive side. They offer quality peat counterparts. In the price segment, domestic products are practically not inferior to foreign companies.
Experienced summer residents recommend initially choosing a container or pots for growing. After that, you can choose peat tablets of the required size. In this case, remember that the tablets after soaking swell and increase in size by about 5-6 times.
You can prefer the company Jiffy, which provides customers with kits for growing seedlings. They consist of peat washers and a plastic pallet.
The advantage of peat washers is also their unlimited shelf life. It is enough to store them in a cool, dry, low-light place until the right moment and further use.
Conclusion
Peat tablets are ideal for germinating seedlings of vegetable crops. They are actively used for propagation and cultivation of decorative home flowers and cuttings. It is easy, simple and pleasant to work with peat, and seedlings will always be strong and healthy.