What is the method for raising seedlings in seedling trays?

Raising seedlings in seedling trays is an efficient and effective method for nurturing young plants. Follow these expert tips to maximize your results:

1. Selecting the Right Seedling Tray

Choosing the right seedling tray is crucial for successful seedling development. Seedling trays come in various materials, including polystyrene foam and plastic. Plastic seedling trays are particularly popular due to their durability and versatility. Available in black, gray, and white, black trays are often preferred for their superior light absorption, which promotes robust root growth.

2. Preparing the Ideal Growing Medium

The success of your seedlings largely depends on the quality of the growing medium. For optimal results, use a light substrate that includes peat, vermiculite, and perlite. The ideal mix consists of 3 parts peat, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part perlite. Enhance the substrate with 2 kg of diammonium phosphate, 2 kg of high-temperature expanded chicken manure, or 2-2.5 kg of a balanced NPK compound fertilizer per cubic meter of substrate. Always use fresh substrates and ensure they are sterilized with carbendazim or chlorothalonil before sowing.

3. Treating Your Seeds

Proper seed treatment is essential to ensure uniform germination. Begin with seed selection, followed by soaking in warm water, chemical seed treatment, washing, and germination. These steps help prevent uneven seedling emergence and promote healthy growth.

4. Sowing the Seeds

Seedling tray cultivation offers both mechanical and manual sowing options. Mechanical sowing can be further divided into automatic and manual types. The automatic process includes loading the trays, pressing holes, sowing seeds, covering them with substrate, and watering. For manual sowing, place each seed in the center of a pre-pressed tray hole, ensuring horizontal placement to avoid missed sowing. After sowing, smooth the substrate surface with a spatula for an even finish.

Benefits of Using Seedling Trays

1. Cost Efficiency: Seedling trays can reduce your seedling production costs by 30-50% compared to traditional methods.

2. High Survival Rate: Seedlings grown in trays adapt quickly after transplanting, leading to a higher survival rate.

3. Increased Yield: Seedling trays allow for more seedlings per unit area, maximizing your planting space.

4. Faster Growth: Seedlings in trays mature 10-20 days faster than those grown conventionally, boosting labor efficiency by 5-7 times.

5. Ease of Transport: Seedlings from trays typically weigh 30-50 grams each, with a substrate that retains water well and prevents root scatter, making long-distance transportation hassle-free.

Elevate your planting game with seedling trays and experience the benefits of efficient, cost-effective seedling production. Start using seedling trays today to ensure faster, healthier plant growth and a thriving garden or nursery. Contact us please!