Peat pots or pills are a modern and convenient way to grow seedlings that do not tolerate picks.
This method is recommended for cucumbers.
In the open ground, the plants move directly with peat containers, the roots remain intact, and the growth of seedlings does not slow down.
Peat pots: fast and convenient
Peat pots or cups - simple, affordable and economical method of growing cucumber seedlings. Tanks are made from a mixture of peat with extruded cardboard. The stores offer products of various sizes and depths, single or several pieces combined.
Selection rules
To seedlings turned out strong and high-quality, you need to choose the peat tanks. Good pots have a smooth, smooth surface without protruding coarse fibers.
The walls of the cups should not be too thick and tough.otherwise, when transplanting the roots of seedlings will not be able to pierce the peat walls.
Overly soft cups also do not fit, with constant watering, they lose their shape. The quality pots have a stable, even bottom, neatly finished top, they are aligned in height.
These little things are very important. Carefully made cups will not topple, the same height allows you to cover planting glass or film, creating the desired microclimate for seedlings.
The advantages of peat pots:
- it is possible to fill capacities with any soil, both purchased, and prepared independently;
- cups keep their shape well;
- when transplanting to the beds, peat quickly soaks and does not interfere with the normal development of the roots;
- You can use mineral or organic fertilizers.
Despite the positive moments peat cups have drawbacks:
- cheap samples contain too much cardboard;
- volumetric cups take up a lot of space on the windowsill or balcony;
- the soil in tanks quickly dries out, requires constant moisture control.
How to plant cucumbers for seedlings in peat pots?
Before planting, you need to find a suitable container for cucumbers for seedlings in peat cups.
The ideal packaging is a cardboard box of the right size.. It does not allow containers to overturn, does not interfere with normal air exchange and does not trap excess moisture.
In the bottom of the peat cups with an awl or a thick needle several drainage holes are made. The soil for cucumber seedlings should be light, nutritious, having a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction.
Ideal - a mixture of garden or sod land with humus and a small amount of old sawdust.
Replace the humus with peat is undesirable. The walls of the pots are also made of peat, its surplus acidifies the soil, seedlings will develop poorly. Substrate can be enriched with nutrients: urea, potassium sulfate, superphosphate or wood ash. All components are thoroughly mixed.
Before planting, the soil can be decontaminated by heating it in an oven or microwave. An alternative option is to spill soil with a solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure kills harmful microorganisms that can cause disease seedlings.
The pots are filled with soil so that at least 1 cm left until the walls. The soil is slightly crushed. Later, it will settle and need bedding, so part of the soil should be postponed. Both dry and pre-wetted seeds can be planted.
Planting cucumbers in peat pots for seedlings. If dry material is used, the seed is buried with fingers, dropping 1.5-2 cm into the ground. The soil surface is slightly crushed, it is not necessary to tamp it. The pots are installed in the prepared pan so that the containers do not tip over. The soil is copiously sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle..
When planting germinated seeds need to act more carefully. A hole is made in the ground with a depth of 2 cm, the germinated seed is carefully moved into it, covered with soil and slightly crushed.
The soil is moistened with a spray bottle. Watering can not be used, directed water jets can erode the soil.
Planting covered with plastic wrap or glass and placed in heat. After the emergence of seedlings (4-5 days) mini-garden moves to a bright place: window sill of south or southeast window. Cloudy weather seedlings will have to illuminate fluorescent lamps.
Care for seedlings in peat pots
In peat tanks the soil dries quickly. In the first days, the film retains the necessary moisture; after it has been removed, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the soil.
It should not dry out the soil is moistened daily or every other day. For watering just sprouted seedlings use a spray or a spoon, more adult plants can be watered from a watering can.
After a few days, the soil in the pot can settle. It is recommended to carefully pour the pre-prepared substrate.clutching it with your fingers. It is important to ensure that a hard crust does not form on the soil surface that interferes with plant respiration. For the prevention of soil loosened at least 2 times a week, trying not to hurt the roots.
The first dressing is carried out after unfolding a pair of these sheets. Cucumbers can be fertilized with an aqueous solution of mineral fertilizer for seedlings or divorced mullein. Watering nutrient formulations need to be pre-moistened soil, after feeding cucumber seedlings sprayed from a spray.
Peat tablets: 100% result
Peat tablets for cucumber seedlings - more thoughtful option for growing cucumber seedlings. They are easy to use, affordable, inexpensive. Planted plants do not need a pick, they quickly take root in any soil.
Landed plants do not have a deficiency of nutrients, they are well developed. The shape of the products retains a thin, but durable mesh. Thanks to it, the soaked peat does not spread, and the seedling is firmly fixed.
Shops offer different options for tablets. They differ in diameter, which is selected, focusing on the size of the future seedling. The largest options are suitable for cucumbers.giving a final volume of 400 ml.
For the successful development of cucumber seedlings in peat tablets, it is better to choose products of well-known manufacturers that use high-quality peat and do not save on useful additives.
The cheapest pills consist of low-grade fiber raw materials, they do not swell badly, do not hold the form. Another disadvantage of cheap pills is the overly acidic environment, which is not very useful for cucumber seedlings.
How to plant cucumbers on seedlings in peat tablets?
Before planting, peat tablets are placed in a deep container and pour warm water. As soaking it pour. After a few hours, the tablets will turn into even columns. They are gently moved to a deep pan.
Ideal packaging for tablets - a plastic container or box from under the cake. It is convenient to use special pallets with cassettes for fixing tablets. The only drawback of this design is the high cost.
At the top of the pills there are holes for placing seeds. They can be slightly extended with a toothpick. In the resulting mini-wells, dry seeds or seeds treated with a growth stimulator are inserted. Dry seeds are buried with a toothpick.
Peat columns are placed in prepared pallets and cover with glass. Landings are placed in heat until germination. After germination, a mini-garden is placed on the window sill and protected from drafts.
For successful growth of young plants need warm and high humidity. Peat columns 1 time in 2 days are sprayed with warm water.
The tablets contain all the necessary nutrients., cucumber seedlings do not need additional dressings.
If the mesh holding the peat is torn, the seedlings will have to be transplanted into any suitable container, after removing the remains of the grid and sprinkling fresh soil.
Before moving to the beds, the grid from the plant is carefully cut off. It does not dissolve in the soil, which can inhibit the growth of roots.
Peat tablets and cups are a convenient, simple and modern way of growing cucumber seedlings that you need to try. It will not be suitable for industrial cultivation, but most amateur gardeners consider peat containers ideal for growing cucumbers.
Part 1 - planting seeds:
Part 2 - transplanting sprouted shoots:
