All summer residents know that it is worth starting work in early spring in order 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 popular ways - growing seedlings using a peat tablet. How to use it, the features of planting and growing - these are the main questions that interest modern summer residents.
What is special about 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 is made up of 55% carbon, making it ideal for thermal insulation.
Peat is also used as fuel. And in agriculturalindustries use it extensively as a fertilizer. In decorative floriculture and horticulture, the top layer of peat is often used. Peat humus is made from it.
Experienced agronomists have long known that it is necessary to fertilize the soil with peat. Such top dressing significantly increases the fertility of the land. In flower shops you can find peat-based potting mixes. Their composition is rich in humus, and this has a positive effect on the condition of plants.
Scope of application
In order for the seeds to sprout, they need 2 components: moisture and heat. As mentioned 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 to grow seedlings. In fact, it is used as a soil replacement for some ornamental plants that require a moist environment. Often these are tropical plant species. Peat tablets are also used to grow seedlings with sensitive root systems. Such plants do not tolerate transplanting well.
Peat is a crumbly, soft material in which the root system develops quickly and well, and is not injured. Thanks to the use of peat tablets, summer residents 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
Todayon sale you can find peat tablets in the form of a washer or a square. Many do not know how to use a peat tablet and which one is better to choose. Actually, the form doesn't matter. Each tablet is individually wrapped in a fine mesh. Often in this form 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 poured with water, it soaks and loses its shape. The main thing is to know how to soak peat tablets correctly.
This 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 when transplanting into open ground. Many manufacturers include fungicides and growth stimulants, mineral fertilizers. Which peat tablets are best? The choice is yours.
The following sizes of peat tablets are produced: from 25 to 90 mm in diameter, from 8 to 30 mm in height. There are small holes on the surface of the tablet, into which the seeds are subsequently placed.
During the manufacturing process, all substances are disinfected. As a result, the final product is free of pathogens, weeds and pest larvae.
How to use it correctly?
From the above, we can conclude that peat tablets are used for seedlings. They can also be used asadditional top dressing for plants in beds or flower beds. At home, such tablets are also used when propagating plants by cuttings.
Use for growing seedlings
So, how to use a peat pill correctly? There are 2 ways to place tablets. Each of them has its own advantages. Experienced summer residents use peat tablets for seedlings in this way:
- Location next to each other. Spread the washers on a capillary mat, plastic pallet or on a layer of sand 2-5 cm thick.
- Each tablet is placed in plastic cassettes or pots with the inoculum wells 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 fill with water. In this state, it is necessary to leave the washers for 15-20 minutes. During this time, they will absorb moisture well and increase significantly in size. Experienced summer residents recommend using warm water for this purpose. Mesh-coated tablets often only increase in height.
When planting seeds, you need to pay attention to their quality. For example, the seeds of expensive Dutch vegetables can be sown individually, placing them in a separate pot. In this case, 1 seed falls on 1 tablet. Cheaper seeds are recommended to be sown 2-3 pieces per tablet or use the first planting method (generalcapacity).
Pay attention to the size of the seed. If the seeds are large, they must be placed deeper, and if small - almost on the surface. In this case, you must follow the rule: planting depth should be 2 times the diameter of the seed.
Planting in peat tablets requires a minimum of effort. All pots and containers are recommended to be signed so that you know where which variety is located.
Features of cultivation
Seedlings are grown on peat tablets in the same way as on soil mixture. Immediately after sowing, the container is covered with glass, film and placed 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 advantage of growing seedlings in peat tablets is the absence of a dive process. When sowing in a common tray, it is enough to transfer each tablet with a grown seedling into an individual pot, pre-filled with nutrient soil.
Experienced summer residents have noticed that seedlings grown in this way are more stress-resistant, and grow faster, because it does not waste energy on adapting to conditions after picking.
Irrigation features
How to soak peat tablets before planting, we already know. But this moisture is not enough for the full cultivation of seedlings. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly monitor the degree of moisture content of peat during the entire process of growing plants. The substrate should not dry out, but it also cannot be over-moistened.
Between waterings, the washer should dry out a little, because at this moment the tablet is saturated with air, which is necessary for the normal development of the root system. Moisten the surface with a spray bottle. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the surface of the peat is not eroded. Already after the first shoots, it is necessary to water the plant from below, pouring water into the pan or at the bottom of the container. Peat tablets are excellent at bottom hydration: they absorb liquid (water or nutrient solution) well.
Other uses of peat tablets
Peat washers are also used as fertilizer for mature plants. In this case, when transplanting, 2 medium-sized tablets are placed in the container.
Experienced flower growers 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 for rooting cuttings. Reviews confirm that this is an effective way. It is not so difficult to root a cutting in open ground, 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.
Pills 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. ForTo stimulate the formation of the root system, it is advisable 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 Tips
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 growing in greenhouse conditions, you should think about more frequent ventilation.
Many people are interested in what period it is necessary to transfer the seedling to a separate pot. As soon as the roots of the plant begin to be seen on the surface of the tablet, it must be moved with a peat washer to an individual pot. If the tablet is covered with mesh, it must be carefully cut and removed.
Peat tablets manufacturers
Today, there are a large number of foreign and domestic companies that provide the consumer with high-quality peat tablets.
The world-famous Norwegian manufacturer Jiffy has proven itself well. Here, not only peat tablets are manufactured and sold in the future, but also additional products, for example, mini-greenhouses and neat containers. The company also produces pucks from coconut fiber.
The Danish company Ellepress has proven itself excellently. Peat tablets of this company are produced from light Finnish peat, which is considered to be of high quality.
Domestic companiesalso proved to be positive. They offer quality analogues of peat tablets. 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. At the same time, remember that the tablets swell after soaking and increase in size by approximately 5-6 times.
You can give preference to 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, dimly lit place until the right moment and further use.
Conclusion
Peat tablets are ideal for sprouting vegetable seedlings. They are actively used for propagation and cultivation of decorative home flowers and cuttings. Working with peat is easy, simple and pleasant, and seedlings will always be strong and he althy.
