Growing one's own garden can be so incredibly satisfying. Though for many people, starting with seeds can be extremely difficult and quite often, unsuccessful. For those who have had no luck with the germination process, starter plugs for plants of all types may be the perfect solution and the beginning of making a gardening dream come true.
A plug is a germinated seed or rooted cutting that has been started in an individual growing compartment of a seedling tray. They have been raised in soil conditions that have just the right nutrients, aeration, and moisture retention, required for the most efficient growth of healthy root system. They can be made from many materials, including mineral fibers, peat, cardboard, or organic substances.
Whether wanting to grow flowers, greenery, vegetables, or succulents, it can be advantageous to begin the garden in this manner. To start with, things come together a lot faster because the most time consuming and crucial growth period is done before it is ever placed into its final container or bed. No time is wasted on seeds that fail to germinate, or those seedlings that are substandard and unable to thrive.
Until a plant is firmly established, pods need to be carefully handled to avoid damaging the growth. This is a tender development period so when getting ready to remove them from the seedling tray to transplant them into their maturation pot, remember to use caution and care. Upon initial removal, the root ball should be completely and gently drenched with water.
The new container should be filled with a peat based mix that contains no soil but does utilize perlite or vermiculite - two substances that facilitate proper drainage. The plant goes in the center of the pot at a depth equal to the size of the pod to allow for optimum root development. The potting materials should be packed around it firmly, but gently, and thoroughly watered.
Over the next few weeks it will require lots of care and attention to make sure it is able to grow sturdy enough to survive in the conditions outdoors. This means giving it adequate light and turning it regularly to allow all of the leaves to get ample sunshine. It will also need to be protected from extreme hot or cold temperatures and fed routinely with a water soluble fertilizer.
After a few weeks in a protected environment, they need to be hardened off - or conditioned to being outside. For about 10-14 days they need a couple of hours exposure to the outdoors to allow them time to adjust and acclimate to the way they will soon be living full time. After the seventh day, if the plant has done well, it can be left out overnight for the first time.
When they are ready to go into the ground, remember that the stem should be handled as little as possible. A proper planting mix should be used to fill in the hole around the ball to ensure that the root system will be surrounded by proper nutrients, and then thoroughly soaked to encourage the soil to settle into any air pockets. For best results, water with fertilizer initially, and every two weeks after, until well established.
A plug is a germinated seed or rooted cutting that has been started in an individual growing compartment of a seedling tray. They have been raised in soil conditions that have just the right nutrients, aeration, and moisture retention, required for the most efficient growth of healthy root system. They can be made from many materials, including mineral fibers, peat, cardboard, or organic substances.
Whether wanting to grow flowers, greenery, vegetables, or succulents, it can be advantageous to begin the garden in this manner. To start with, things come together a lot faster because the most time consuming and crucial growth period is done before it is ever placed into its final container or bed. No time is wasted on seeds that fail to germinate, or those seedlings that are substandard and unable to thrive.
Until a plant is firmly established, pods need to be carefully handled to avoid damaging the growth. This is a tender development period so when getting ready to remove them from the seedling tray to transplant them into their maturation pot, remember to use caution and care. Upon initial removal, the root ball should be completely and gently drenched with water.
The new container should be filled with a peat based mix that contains no soil but does utilize perlite or vermiculite - two substances that facilitate proper drainage. The plant goes in the center of the pot at a depth equal to the size of the pod to allow for optimum root development. The potting materials should be packed around it firmly, but gently, and thoroughly watered.
Over the next few weeks it will require lots of care and attention to make sure it is able to grow sturdy enough to survive in the conditions outdoors. This means giving it adequate light and turning it regularly to allow all of the leaves to get ample sunshine. It will also need to be protected from extreme hot or cold temperatures and fed routinely with a water soluble fertilizer.
After a few weeks in a protected environment, they need to be hardened off - or conditioned to being outside. For about 10-14 days they need a couple of hours exposure to the outdoors to allow them time to adjust and acclimate to the way they will soon be living full time. After the seventh day, if the plant has done well, it can be left out overnight for the first time.
When they are ready to go into the ground, remember that the stem should be handled as little as possible. A proper planting mix should be used to fill in the hole around the ball to ensure that the root system will be surrounded by proper nutrients, and then thoroughly soaked to encourage the soil to settle into any air pockets. For best results, water with fertilizer initially, and every two weeks after, until well established.
About the Author:
Find a list of the advantages you get when you use starter plugs for plants and more info about a reputable nursery at http://www.groundcovertogo.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.main/typeID/38/index.htm right now.
0 comments:
Post a Comment