Seed Tray and Seed cells

[Tarragon2017]

Hello there I have bought some seed trays but do I need seed trays ?

[Cadalot]

If you didn't need them why did you buy them?

Or do you mean, do you need cells or modules for the trays?

[Jay-ell]

Why buy then ask? What type of trays did you get
- inserts are rectangular shape made from flimsy plastic split into a number of smaller sections. These are usually placed into a flat for support

- Flats are the same size made of tougher plastic with drainage holes in the bottom. They can either be used by themselves or with an insert

- Gravel trays look like flats but don't have the drainage holes. These are usually filled with gravel or sand and then watered. Pots are stood on the gravel and the roots can soak up the water from the tray

[veggiechicken]

Hello there I have bought some seed trays but do I need seed trays ?

Were they cheap? That can be the only justification to buy something first then question why!

[Tarragon2017]

I bought plastic seed trays and I just wondering if it was beneficial to buy seed trays for it. IF so what number of cells should I go for I am thinking 24 will suffice. I know they are flimsy but I hope its ok to grow some seedlings.

How do you water using this method and when do you know when to extract

Also can you place these trays anywhere

Also My Radishes have sprouted , which is cool which didnt take long only 3 days , but now i need to water them so I will give them a small drink although they are in 30 litre pot due to their eventual size being over a feet long

[Jay-ell]

Glad your seeds are coming up. radishes fast germinators

How about we keep the watering discussion to the watering thread and focus on the seed tray discussion here so that we don't get too confused.

I'm guessing that the trays you bought are the second or third type I listed. Do they have holes in the bottom?

[Tarragon2017]

yes they do have drainage holes

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01CEPQ5ZW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jay-ell]

OK, you can put a module inset into them, these are available with different number of cells. The advantage of these is that you can grow 1 plant per cell and it will have its own root space so that when you transplant it the roots aren't mixed in with other plants.

You don't have to use an insert. You can fill the flat with compost, make drills in it and sow into those. Roots are likely to get a bit tangled and you'll have to pick them out sooner and move into small individual pots.

[Tarragon2017]

I hear the cells are flimsy what are your experiences of these ?

[Jay-ell]

Yes they are flimsy, that's why they go into the flat. Being flimsy means it's a bit easier to push the plant and rootball out as the cell squashes up when you push it

[Tarragon2017]

Ok so when do you know when to replant the seedling into a small pot , and how many times can you replant before you cause shock.

What do you grow your seeds in I will use compost but i hear others use coco coir

Also what method do u use to water and how often do u use.

Also what no cell tray is best ? When it comes to herbs and thinks like dwarf green beans do u want 2 healthy seedlings per pot ( the pot u will finally use)

other veg such as carrots depends on the number of carrots your pot can sustain or or plot of land etc

sorry for the questions

[Penellype]

Quite a few of your questions don't really have answers, because it depends on what you are growing. If you are sowing small seeds like lettuce you can use smaller cells than for larger ones like beans. They need replanting when the roots have filled the pot or cell - usually you can see the roots begin to appear at the bottom.

Some plants hate being transplanted, others don't mind. If you transplant root veg such as carrots or parsnips you may cause bent or twisted roots or the roots may fork. These are best sown where they are going to grow.

I use multi purpose compost and I water from the bottom - I stand the pot in a drip tray or on capillary matting and water that.

Personally I hate modules. I find the plants can grow at different rates so some are ready to plant out before others, I almost always manage to break at least one plant trying to get them out, and every time I use them I swear I will never do it again. I prefer sowing into pots, either several seeds which I will then pot on into individual pots, or 1 or 2 seeds to a pot for growing indoors or planting out. Just personal choice really.

[Yasai]

I use loo rolls to sow beans into or you can use root trainers if you want to splash the cash. It may be an idea to search for some YouTube videos about the things that you are interested in growing. You may have a better idea of what to do by seeing what others do. There is no exact science to growing plants. What gardening has taught me is to do my best and then let go of the need for certainty and see what happens... a metaphor for life really. Just try and enjoy the process and get okay with the fact that things may not always go to plan... but at the very least you'll have learnt something.

[Cadalot]

I tend to use a lot of 15 tray module but I plant into vending machine cups with two holes burnt in the bottom and I place that in a tray and water from the bottom where possible.

[Jay-ell]

I don't use cells for beans. You can make paper pots from newspaper for these or toilet roll tubes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP5Fa6A5lFM

I use multi purpose compost, didn't really like coir.