Manufacturers claim that in peat tablets the seeds germinate well, take root well and give abundant harvests. We will figure out the pros and cons of the "magic" means for seedlings.
Peat pills - what is it?
Nutrients, antibacterial and antifungal agents are added to small-peat peat, compressed in the form of tablets and wrapped with a dense cellulose membrane or net.
During irrigation, the substrate swells and increases 5-7 times. The diameter of the tablets is from 2.5 to 4.5 cm. When transplanted, the plant is not removed from peat, but is transferred to the soil entirely.
Before the first use, peat washers are placed in a container of water. After swelling, seeds are planted. And then they act the same way as with seedlings in the land substrate.
Peat tablets can be made independently from a plastic pipe, a “pusher” for mashed potatoes, cling film and peat itself.
The manufacturer claims that the seeds are well germinated in a peat tablet:
- cloves;
- delphinium;
- petunias;
- early ripe cabbage;
- wild strawberries;
- decorative sunflower;
- watermelons;
- bulbs of tigridia;
- tomatoes and other vegetables;
- astr.
Positive properties of tablets
According to gardeners, the advantages of using peat tablets are as follows:
- The size. Tablets of different diameters allow you to grow plants of any size.
- Moisture and breathability. The roots of plants breathe well due to the ability of peat to hold air bubbles, quickly get wet and dry.
- Easy to operate. Planting seeds in such “washers” is less troublesome than in self-prepared containers with earth. It is easy for the seedlings to create greenhouse conditions if you place the tablet in a deep, transparent container. In addition, working with such a substrate is clean and tidy.
- Possibility of sowing small seeds. Soft peat promotes better germination of fragile seeds, for example, lobelia.
- Fast and uniform shoots. According to experienced gardeners, seeds in a peat substrate grow faster, grow evenly, "together."
- Convenience in transplantation. Since the seedling is located in an individual tablet, there is no need to dive seedlings. The root system is not injured.
- Shelf life. Excess peat washers can be left for next season. They do not lose properties.
Cons of peat washers
Summer residents often write that the seeds sprout quickly, but almost immediately “bend”.
Possible reasons:
- Acidic environment of peat, nutritional supplements that are not suitable for all plants.
- Fungi and parasites. Not all types of peat tablets are sufficiently disinfected. Florists are insured and treat the washers first in a fungicide solution, and then sow the seeds.
- Scrupulous care. This is rather a minus not of the invention itself, but of an inexperienced gardener. Excessive drying or waterlogging of peat should not be allowed. To store seedlings in such structures on the windowsill near the battery is not an option. Better - in sealed mini-greenhouses.
Among other minuses are noted:
- High price. One tablet on average costs from 5 to 10 rubles. If the landing is plentiful, the amount will be decent.
- They require a lot of space in the house. If the tablets stand tightly to each other, then the grown roots will begin to grow into neighboring ones. Therefore, the puck is recommended not to be placed close.
- It’s hard to label. If there are different plants in the pan, then labeling them is problematic.
To prevent peat pellets from drying out and becoming too wet, use the propagator - a mini-greenhouse for seedlings with the possibility of airing and maintaining the microclimate.
Now you know how to use peat tablets. Take care of your garden properly to receive a reward in the form of a good harvest.