Peat tablets for pepper seedlings, other containers

Pepper

Peppers are a delicate southern plant that's quite challenging to grow in our climate. They experience severe stress with each transplant and become prone to illness.

Therefore, the best choice of container for growing seedlings is peat tablets, which provide maximum comfort for the roots of seedlings.

Rules for choosing a container for seedlings

Each type of seedling container has its own strengths and weaknesses. A gardener's job is to select the most suitable container for each type of seedling. The choice of spring container also depends on whether the seedlings will be transplanted for transplanting.

All containers for growing seedlings can be divided into four types according to the principle of growing seedlings in them:

plastic trays and boxes;
individual pots made of various materials;
peat tablets or briquettes;
trays with partitions or cassettes.

Plastic containers

Plastic containers are often used for growing pepper seedlings. They are lightweight, easy to clean and disinfect, and their special shape allows them to be nested for winter storage, dramatically saving space. Plastic boxes, cassettes, and individual pots are available.

Plastic box

The simplest solution is a plastic box. Stores now offer a wide selection of models with the desired volume, length, and width. Seedlings are most easily grown in boxes 10-12 centimeters high.

When growing seedlings in a box, all plants are grown in the same volume of soil.

Important: The bottom of the box must have holes to drain excess water when watering.

Advantages of growing seedlings in a box:

it is much easier to care for, water and spray all the plants at the same time;
in a box it is faster to move plants to the desired location or to turn all the seedlings at once with the desired side facing the sun;
multiple use of plastic containers.

Disadvantages of growing seedlings in a box:

the roots of seedlings grown in the same volume of soil are intertwined and it is almost impossible not to damage them when planting them in the ground;
in the boxes the plants grow too close to each other;
low boxes are not suitable for pepper seedlings, which have a strong vertical root;
Large boxes filled with soil are difficult to lift and carry.

Pots or containers

Pots of all sizes and colors are now available at any gardening store. You can choose from small ones with a capacity of 50 ml to huge ones with a capacity of ten liters or more. Pots come in both round and square shapes. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Round pots are easier to grow seedlings in, while square pots fit more compactly on a windowsill and are easier to carry.

The benefits of growing seedlings in plastic potsX

excellent root protection during replanting;
pots are a universal solution for any type of seedlings;
less frequent watering of seedlings due to the large volume of soil for each plant;
multiple use of plastic containers.

Disadvantages of growing seedlings in plastic pots

to place pots (especially round ones) you need much more space on the windowsill than for boxes or containers;
If you remove the root ball from them carelessly, you can damage the root system of the plant;
It takes a long time to move a large number of plants.

Trays with partitions and cassettes

If you add dividers to a standard plastic box to divide it into multiple smaller compartments, the structure is called a tray. If the box itself was originally molded with dividers, the structure is called a cassette.

The number of cells can vary from a few to several dozen – it all depends on the size of the cells and the box itself.

Advantages of cassettes and trays

the plants in the trays are arranged very compactly, making them easy to care for;
in cassettes it is easy to move seedlings or turn them with the desired side facing the sun;
Several rows of cells can be cut from a molded plastic cassette to obtain a container of the required external dimensions;
multiple use of plastic containers.

Disadvantages of cassettes and trays

a small amount of soil is placed in individual cells of the cassettes, so the plant located there requires more frequent watering;
The cassettes are made of thin plastic and can break if handled carelessly;
Shallow cassettes are absolutely not suitable for growing pepper seedlings with a strong vertical root;
It is quite difficult to remove an individual plant from a tray or cassette without damaging its root system;
Soil-filled cassettes with a large number of cells are difficult to move from place to place.

Paper containers

A very convenient option for growing seedlings is disposable paper cassettes. They are made of pressed cardboard and come in various sizes. In the spring, they are filled with soil, then the seedlings are grown, and then the young seedlings are planted directly in the cassettes in the soil. When exposed to water, the paper casing breaks down, and the roots emerge.

Advantages of paper cassettes

maximum care in handling the root system of seedlings when planting them in the ground;
the plants in the trays are arranged very compactly, making them easy to care for;
in cassettes it is easy to move seedlings or turn them with the desired side facing the sun;
Several rows of cells can be cut from a molded paper cassette to make a container of the required external dimensions;
Paper is a vapor- and air-permeable material. Soil in a container with paper walls is better saturated with oxygen, and the root system of seedlings develops better;
low cost of cassettes.

Disadvantages of paper cassettes

with active watering, the paper walls of the cassettes may become wet and deteriorate;
Shallow cassettes are absolutely not suitable for growing pepper seedlings with a strong vertical root;
various types of mold can begin to develop on damp paper;
For use on a windowsill, a plastic tray must be placed under the paper cassettes.

Containers made of peat materials

Seedling containers made from natural, environmentally friendly peat are now widely used. Two types of seedling containers are available: pots and tablets.

Peat pots

Peat pots are a more modern version of paper seedling containers. They are made of 3/4 peat and 1/4 pressed cardboard. They come in a wide variety of designs, from small-mesh cassettes to substantial pots.

Before planting pepper seeds, fill the containers with garden soil. In the spring, the seedlings are planted in the soil along with their pots, which, when exposed to soil moisture, soften and dissolve into the soil.

Benefits of peat pots

low cost;
Peat is a vapor- and air-permeable material. Soil in a container with peat walls is better saturated with oxygen, and the root system of seedlings develops better;
maximum care in handling the root system of seedlings when planting them in the ground.

Disadvantages of peat pots

With regular watering, peat pots have a limited lifespan;
Peat pots evaporate moisture through their entire side surface, so the number of waterings should be increased;
If there is excess moisture, the walls of the containers may become moldy.

Peat tablets

Peat pellets are a relatively new addition to gardeners' arsenals. They look like short, brown cylinders wrapped in plastic mesh. These pellets come in diameters ranging from 2.5 to 9 centimeters.

Before use, the tablets are saturated with moisture by placing them in a tray of water. This increases their height fivefold.

Benefits of peat tablets

By purchasing peat tablets, the gardener gets rid of the problem of purchasing soil - inside the peat shell there is a complete substrate for growing seedlings;
Peat is a vapor- and air-permeable material. Soil in a pot with peat walls is better saturated with oxygen, and the root system of seedlings develops better;
Tall tablets with a large diameter are an excellent option for growing pepper seedlings with their powerful taproot;
maximum care in handling the root system of seedlings when planting them in the ground.

Disadvantages of peat tablets

the cost of the tablets is quite high, and they are used only once;
Soil moisture when growing seedlings in these containers requires careful monitoring. Regular overwatering can cause the tablets to crumble, while drying out the soil can kill the plant.

Growing pepper seedlings in peat tablets

Seeds for growing pepper seedlings in peat tablets begin to be prepared in the first ten days of March. Before germination, the seeds are disinfected by soaking them in a potassium permanganate solution for 20 minutes. Afterwards, they are wrapped in a damp cloth and placed in a warm place for a week. The optimal temperature for germination is 25 degrees Celsius.

Before planting, place the required number of tablets in a tray and fill with warm water. As the tablets are absorbed, add water periodically until they swell to the desired height.

Make a 1.5-centimeter-deep hole at the top of the peat post, and place a hatched pepper seed into it using tweezers. Fill the hole with planting soil. Wrap the seedlings in plastic and leave for a week until germination occurs.

After about ten days, the film is removed, and the tray with peat pellets is placed in a bright location. The optimal temperature for seedling development during this period is 25 degrees Celsius during the day and 15 degrees Celsius at night.

Peppers don't require additional feeding while growing seedlings in peat tablets, as the peat soil contains all the nutrients needed for development. Seedlings grown in peat tablets require infrequent watering; a sign of insufficient moisture will be a decrease in the height of the peat column. Once the height has been restored, drain the remaining water in the tray.

When transplanting peppers into the soil, the mesh from the peat tablet is carefully cut off.

Homemade containers

Wooden seedling boxes

Seedling boxes can be built from wood or plywood. After construction, the box is treated with drying oil to prevent rot and painted. Before use, a plastic or oilcloth liner is placed inside. The advantages of this design include the ability to customize the container to fit your windowsill perfectly and the low cost. The disadvantage is its significantly greater weight compared to plastic.

Homemade pots from disposable cups

Leftover disposable cups from a picnic can be turned into convenient pots for growing seedlings. To do this, use a hot awl or nail to poke holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain. 100 ml cups are convenient for growing seedlings before transplanting, while 500 ml cups are suitable for growing seedlings before planting in the ground.

Pots from tetra packs

Rectangular milk, wine, or juice Tetra Paks can be used to make convenient seedling containers. To do this, cut them to the desired height, wash them thoroughly, and make drainage holes in the bottom.

Pots made from plastic bottles

You can make convenient containers out of soda, water, or beer bottles by cutting them down and punching drainage holes in the bottom.

Another option is to cut off the top and bottom of the bottle, leaving a plastic cylinder. To prevent soil from spilling out of the open bottom, place it on a tray before filling it with soil and keep it there throughout the entire seedling growing process.

Eggshell containers

Eggshells can be used to grow small plant seedlings. To do this, carefully crack the top of the egg while cooking, pour out the contents, and disinfect the egg itself with boiling water. Carefully prick the opposite end of the shell with a needle.

Before planting, place the shells in egg containers and fill with soil. Throughout their growth, the seedlings will receive calcium leached from the sides of the container, ensuring strong growth.

When planting, crush the egg in your hand and plant the root ball inside. Eggshells not only enrich the soil with beneficial minerals but also reduce soil acidity.

Paper pots

To make paper planting containers, take any round bottle and wrap it in several layers of newspaper. Secure the edge of the paper with a strip of glue. Fold the newspaper over the bottom and secure it with glue. Place the cups on a tray before filling them with soil. Tear the paper when planting.

The second option for making pots: The bottle is wrapped in several layers of toilet paper. The paper is then sprayed with water and left to dry on the mold. Once dry, a cardboard cylinder of the desired diameter is created.

Note: You can use toilet paper spools as seedling containers.

Polyethylene pots

A fairly budget-friendly option is to use plastic milk or kefir bags as containers. To do this, wash them, poke holes in the bottom, fill them with soil, and place them in a box. When planting, either tear the plastic bag apart or carefully remove the root ball.

The second option is to use polyethylene. In this case, the bottle is wrapped in thick polyethylene, and the edges of the film are secured either with a stapler or welded with a soldering iron. The resulting cylinders are placed on a tray and then filled with soil.

Non-woven pots

To make the pots, use black, dense spunbond with a density of 120 g/m², and sew a bag according to the pattern. The non-woven material perfectly aerates the soil and allows excess moisture to pass through.

Conclusion

The choice of containers for growing seedlings is quite wide. The gardener's task is to choose a container that is most convenient for both the plant's growth and the gardener's ability to maintain a spring garden on the windowsill.

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Reviews

Elena, 38 years old

We use half-liter beer mugs to plant pepper seedlings. A pack of 50 is quite affordable. After planting the seeds, we place the mugs in a clear IKEA container and close the lid. It creates a mini greenhouse on the windowsill. The seedlings are growing wonderfully!

Tatyana, 42 years old

Our go-to for growing peppers is peat pellets. Yes, they're not exactly cheap, but they're saturated with moisture, so you don't have to worry about soil quality, composition, or fertilizing. Maximum convenience and minimum hassle!