How and with what should seedling boxes be treated?

When growing fruiting or ornamental plants, gardeners and horticulturists often begin with seedlings. For this purpose, they use a variety of seedling containers—peat pellets and cups, cut-off plastic bottles, disposable containers, cassettes, trays, and even plastic or wooden boxes. The last two options are most often chosen, as these containers can be used year after year. However, without following important rules for preparing and treating seedlings before planting, the sprouted plants may become diseased, weak, or even die.

Types of containers for seedlings

The quality of seedlings depends largely on the container they are germinated in. Therefore, growers choose containers that not only provide convenient growing conditions for young plants but also ensure the seedlings will thrive. Germinating seeds is possible in almost any container, but each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, including the following:

1. Peat tablets, cups, and cardboard containers have the main drawback of being reusable only once, and these peat containers are expensive. The advantage is that they can be used directly.
2. A plastic or wooden box can be used for several years in a row, but each time it must be thoroughly treated with disinfectants.
3. Plastic pots for seedlings and Plastic canisters and cups—these can be reused several times and are quite inexpensive. However, they require cleaning and are only suitable for small-scale seedlings.
4. Seedling trays or cassettes are fairly expensive containers for germinating seeds, which also need to be treated every year before use.
5. Trimmed PET bottles are inexpensive, but you must trim each one first, then thoroughly rinse to remove any remaining beverages, and thoroughly disinfect. Overall, this is a good option; you can potentially use them 2-3 times if you prepare them for planting.
6. Eggshells are a good, inexpensive option, but labor-intensive. They need to be broken carefully, and a large number of them are needed. These containers are disposable and don't last long—the grower soon has to replant the seedlings.
7. Thick cardboard or plastic containers for dairy products and juices take a long time to completely remove any remaining liquid. They also require additional disinfection, though the container is disposable.
8. Thick plastic bags are a cheap option, but all plastic bags must be new and clean. It's also advisable to disinfect them by spraying a solution of potassium permanganate inside or using another herbal disinfectant.

Cellophane bags, cut-off PET bottles, and cardboard packaging from dairy products and juices must be washed. It's important to keep them free of food and other debris, as these leftover food particles serve as a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria. After drying, it's advisable to disinfect these containers prepared for sprouting seedlings by spraying them with a deep pink solution of potassium permanganate. Other disinfectants sold in gardening and flower shops are also suitable.

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However, one of the best types of container for growing seedlings is to make box Made of plastic or wood. Gardeners use this type of seedling container more often than others and can use it several times. To prevent plant diseases due to inadequate preparation, be sure to treat the container before sowing seeds.

How to treat a seedling box

Reusable containers require high levels of cleanliness—any plant or soil residue can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. To prevent this, sanitization is essential. New cassettes or boxes don't need to be disinfected—rinsing with warm water is sufficient.

If the nurseries are reused, then various substances and mixtures can be used for this purpose:

• white;
• potassium permanganate;
• vinegar;
• salt-soda solution.

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In some cases, the use of a medical product, chlorhexidine, is recommended. However, such a rigorous measure is only necessary in cases of parasites, fungi, or a severe infection from the previous season.

To eliminate unpleasant odors, it is recommended to additionally rinse the containers in warm water with essential oils and dry thoroughly. The appropriate solution should be selected based on the material the container is made of.

Plastic boxes

If the seedling container is made of plastic or another polymer material, these boxes are pre-treated at the factory. At home, the walls can be washed with a potassium permanganate solution or left in a bleach solution for 2-3 hours. After using such solutions, be sure to rinse with clean water and allow to dry completely.

Wooden boxes

Wooden seedling boxes are just as common as plastic ones. These containers can be purchased at gardening stores or custom-made to fit the space. Regardless of whether the box is made of wood, it should be lined with thick plastic film before use. Reusable containers made of natural materials are treated with fungicides and steamed to prevent blackleg.

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Preparing containers for planting seedlings is a mandatory step. Regardless of the material the container is made of, its surfaces must be disinfected. Otherwise, there is a risk of pests, fungi, and infectious diseases affecting the seedlings. Containers made of natural materials require special attention—their structure allows most pathogens to take hold and thrive. Untreated pots are more likely to cause problems.