Coconut tablets for seedlings. Coconut tablets for seedlings: how to use

Let's start with the fact that peat and coconut tablets are substitutes for soil for plants, and not a container for growing it. Growing seedlings vegetable crops takes a lot of time from gardeners. And it becomes especially important to choose the right soil and a container for growing it. But for some, this process becomes not burdensome, but how do they manage to grow seedlings in ordinary soil from the garden. It turned out that they are used for this; they begin to be used from the moment the seeds are prepared.

In order for the sown seeds to begin to germinate well, it is necessary to provide them with nutrients, and this primarily depends on the correctly selected soil. The soil for sowing should not only be nutritious, but also loose, moisture-permeable and breathable. It should be saturated with organic and mineral substances. At the same time, the soil for seedlings must be disinfected and free of viruses and pathogenic fungi. And peat soil mixtures were replaced by compressed coconut and peat tablets. They completely replaced the soil for seedlings.

Peat and coconut tablets for growing seedlings fully meet these requirements and replace soil. The use of such tablets for the growth and development of any plants from seeds or from cuttings and shoots saves us from using loose soil. The soil crumbles, and when watered, its particles pollute the windowsill. Sowing seeds in separate tablets eliminates the procedure of picking seedlings and protects the roots from tearing when planting in open ground.

How to use coconut tablets and peat tablets

Before use, you need to select the tablet size depending on the type of crop being grown. The diameter of the tablets ranges from 23 to 44 mm. Before sowing, both tablets are soaked in water to swell and then placed in cups, pots, or simply in plastic boxes and trays with drainage holes. Sowing of seeds is carried out by immersing 1-2 plant seeds in each tablet. Place the tray in a warm, bright place and wait for the seedlings to appear.

Which is better - coconut or peat tablets? Everyone must make a choice after they find out what substitutes for ordinary soil for seedlings consist of.

Coconut tablets

They consist of 30% coconut shavings, the remaining 70% being coconut fiber and coconut peat. for growing seedlings is 5.5-6.5 (pH). You can use coconut tablets to grow any plants. Such tablets are immediately placed in seedling pots and then slowly watered with water until the tablet increases in size. After this, sow the seeds.

This soil substitute is characterized as an environmentally friendly organic material and is completely sterile. Absorbs water well and quickly, provides air supply to the roots, and does not form a soil crust on the surface after watering. The loose structure of the coconut tablet allows the fertilizer applied to the seedlings to be evenly distributed. An ideal environment is created for seed germination.

Peat tablets

At first, paper cups were replaced by peat pots and cassettes; they also had to be filled with soil mixture and placed in a wooden or plastic box. A peat pot or peat cassettes are convenient, they are lightweight and seedlings are planted directly in them, which completely eliminates damage to the roots. But they have their drawbacks, because they are also filled with peat soil, with abundant watering peat pot gets wet and deformed, and the roots of the seedlings grow through it.

Tablets of the same material, make use even peat cups more convenient. The tablet consists of 100% high peat with an acidity of 5.5-6.0 (pH). According to the characteristics of high-moor peat, its acidity fully corresponds to the environment for good seed germination and root growth. Before use, soak the tablet in water, when it increases in volume, place it in a pot, glass or seedling box and make a hole to plant the seeds.

Coconut tablets are small blocks of compressed substrate. cylindrical, placed in a fine-mesh mesh. Consist of coconut humus, fibers and shavings. For better effect, nutrients and microelements are added to the tablets.

Article outline

What are coconut tablets used for?

Coconut humus is made from crushed coconut shells that have been fermented for a year. Due to the nature of their growth, coconuts are not susceptible to diseases characteristic of plants whose fruits grow closer to the ground. Therefore, the substrate is free from many bacteria and fungi that pose a danger to seedlings.

Coconut fibers have little nutritional value. The main benefit of their use is a significant improvement in soil structure. Fibers make the soil lighter, which facilitates the supply of oxygen to the roots and improves plant nutrition.

Coconut flakes contain magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and other trace elements that are in a form that is easy for plants to absorb.

The main use of coconut tablets is to grow seedlings. Also, the properties of this substrate allow it to be used for rooting cuttings.

Benefits of Coconut Tablets

Compared to other substrates, coconut has several important advantages:

The tablets conduct air and heat well;
Capable of retaining moisture, gradually releasing it to plants;
They have an optimal level of acidity;
Does not contain weed seeds;
The tablets do not lose their shape after soaking;
When dry, they take up little space;
After drying, they do not form a crust.

The ability of soil to conduct oxygen well is very important for plants. In too dense soil or with excessive watering, plant roots lack oxygen, this causes metabolic disorders, and accordingly the ability to absorb nutrients decreases.

Plant growth slows down, and if the situation is not corrected, its death is possible. Also, the supply of oxygen can be hindered by a crust that appears on the surface of the soil when it dries. Coconut substrate does not have this disadvantage.

Coconut tablets are able to retain moisture well, which is vital for seedlings. At the same time, it is impossible to over-moisten them; the coconut will absorb only a certain amount of water, which it will gradually release to the roots of the seedlings.

The acidity of coconut soil is at a level optimal for the germination of most seeds. cultivated plants. The substrate is additionally enriched with a complex of microelements useful for plant growth. The amount of nutrients is sufficient for plant growth for 4 to 6 weeks.

Feedback on application coconut tablets

How to use coconut tablets

Before using coconut tablets for growing seedlings, you need to wash them clean. sea salt, which is used in the tablet production process. To do this, the tablets are briefly placed under running water. warm water. 1 – 2 minutes are enough for cleaning.

The tablets are placed in cassettes or other containers for growing seedlings. It must be borne in mind that the container should be much larger than the tablet, because after moistening it increases significantly in size.

Briquettes are filled with water room temperature for a few minutes until completely absorbed. After this, the remaining water is drained.

Seeds, usually one or two, are placed in a small hole made on top of the briquette. For expensive or rare seeds, it is advisable to plant one seed per briquette. After this, the briquette is covered with film to avoid drying out. If the seeds have low germination, which is typical for planting material, which has been stored for a long time, you need to place several seeds for germination. After germination, one of the strongest plants is left, the rest are removed.

The substrate contains all the microelements necessary for the development of seedlings, so the plants are not additionally fed before planting. permanent place to avoid overdosing of fertilizers.

Grown plants are replanted without removing the mesh; it does not interfere with the growth of the root system. Usually it consists of a special material that quickly dissolves in the ground.

Application for garden plants

The big advantage of coconut tablets is the ability to plant seedlings in a permanent place along with the soil in which they developed. At the same time, the root system is not disturbed, so the plants do not experience stress and do not require time to recover. Accordingly, fruiting occurs 1 - 2 weeks earlier. The soil provides additional nutrition for the seedlings, and coconut also improves the soil structure.

Tomatoes

Despite the fact that tomatoes can easily be transplanted, coconut briquettes have a different important advantage for sprouting tomatoes. The tablets do not contain pathogenic microorganisms, therefore, they prevent infection with diseases that are destructive to seedlings, for example, blackleg.

Cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin

Cucumbers are difficult to tolerate transplantation if the root system is injured. Therefore, they need to be replanted together with a lump of earth. When replanting cucumbers grown in tablets, there is no need to remove them from the glass, risking damage to the roots. The seedlings are simply moved into the prepared hole and covered with soil.

Cucumber and zucchini seeds require stable humidity during germination. If watering is insufficient, the seeds stop developing and may dry out. If there is excess moisture, plant roots do not receive enough oxygen, which can kill the plant.

Pepper

Pepper seedlings react very poorly to transplantation. If the root system is damaged, the plant will take a long time to recover, wasting time. When transplanting peppers grown in a coconut tablet, the mesh protects the roots from damage.

The use of bars for growing peppers allows you to avoid infection with fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and black leg.

Watermelons

Growing watermelons using seedlings allows you to get ripe fruits 3 - 4 weeks earlier, compared to those sown in open ground. Coconut substrate contains all the substances needed for the development of a healthy plant. It will also help avoid overwatering and hypothermia of the root system.

Use for flowers

In order to most effectively use a substrate such as coconut tablets for growing seedlings, it is necessary to take into account the size of the root system of the plants being grown. For example, petunias take a very long time to grow roots and leaves; they only need a small volume of nutritious soil for a long time. Seedlings of plants with large seeds, such as castor beans, require planting immediately in the largest possible volume.

Petunias

Petunia seedlings are very small in size and require picking at the stage of the fourth true leaf. This procedure requires jeweler precision from the grower. When germinating petunias in a tablet, there is no need for picking. Small seedlings are simply rearranged into a larger briquette. The substrate contains all the components necessary for the development of seedlings.

How to plant Petunia seedlings in coconut tablets

Lilies, tulips, dahlias

As a rule, tablets are not used for germinating bulbs and tubers, but many gardeners use tablets for storage. The container in which the bulbs are stored or transported is tightly lined with coconut briquettes. Coconut absorbs the resulting condensation, this prevents the development of mold, rot, and fungal diseases.

Cuttings

It is very convenient to use coconut tablets for cuttings various types plants, especially for difficult-to-root plants such as roses and lilacs. Florists in reviews claim that the use of coconut tablets for growing petunia seedlings by cuttings increases the number of rooted plants by 10%.

A fresh cut cutting is placed in a moistened substrate and sprinkled if necessary. Cover it with a transparent container on top to reduce moisture evaporation.

Use for indoor plants

Coconut tablets are a natural organic substrate; using it at home is not dangerous.

Most often used for cuttings from indoor plants, such as violets and small-leaved ficus.

The tablets are also used as drainage; coconut perfectly absorbs moisture and protects the roots from overwatering.

How to make seedling tablets

Healthy, strong seedlings are the key to success and a guarantee good harvest in the fall. Therefore, most gardeners approach its cultivation with great responsibility. Moreover, today a lot of tools have appeared in specialized stores that allow you to achieve excellent results at lower costs. For example, peat and coconut tablets for seedlings.

Description of coconut tablets for seedlings

Composition of tablets for seedlings

“Coconut tablets” are small, bottomless, cylindrical containers filled with 70% coco peat, fiber and 30% coconut flakes. Impregnated with a special nutritional composition with microelements and minerals. They are an ideal substrate for crops that have an increased need for oxygen.

The substrate is made from crushed coconut husks after fermentation for 14-18 months, dried and pressed under high pressure. When wet, the “coco soil” acquires a characteristic dark brown color, and when dry, its color changes to a lighter side. The coconut fiber from which it is produced is the purest organic substance, without chemical impurities. Due to the peculiarities of the growth of the nut, the fruits of which are located high above the ground, it is not affected by either pest larvae or pathogens living on the ground.

Advantages of coconut tablets

The composition of coconut tablets includes an antibacterial component that protects plants from the penetration of infections and fungi during development. Moreover, to their positive qualities relate:

High breathability;
Good thermal conductivity properties;
The ability to retain and retain moisture. Coconut fiber has an amazing ability to absorb water, 8-10 times its own volume. In this case, the liquid, along with the minerals and nutrients dissolved in it, is securely retained inside the coconut substrate and, as necessary, is supplied to the roots of the plants. It turns out that it is simply impossible to “fill” seedlings grown in coconut tablets;
Resistant to decomposition and long service life. Thanks to this, mini “nursery plants” made of coconut are used for several cycles. In addition, after application they are used as an additional loosening material in seedling mixtures.

Purpose of coconut tablets

Coconut-based seedling tablets have different diameters and, for convenience, are placed in a fine-mesh mesh that prevents the substrate from scattering. They are also available in the form of mats, with dimensions of 15x100x3 cm in dry form, and when filled with water they increase in height to 12 cm.

Small containers with a diameter of 25 mm are well suited for rooting and germinating flower plants, such as petunias, as well as strawberries and other crops with small seeds.

You can plant eggplants, tomatoes, peppers and other plants in larger containers (35 and 50 mm). Thanks to this, you will not subsequently need to additionally transplant the seedlings into large containers.
Yulia Petrichenko, expert

The beneficial effect of coconut fiber on the growth and development of seedlings

The best confirmation of how useful coconut tablets are for seedlings are reviews from people who “tried them in action.” Their advantages:

The optimal acidity level is 5-6.5 units. For this reason, coconut-based soil is well suited for growing any plants, including rather “capricious” crops that have poor germination, for example, conifers and many flowers;
High oxygen content, ensuring optimal air exchange and free penetration of moisture and nutrients to the roots of plants. The air capacity of coconut tablets is 15% higher than the volume of soil. Therefore, water and air are in an optimal ratio. As a result, seedlings grow and develop at a faster rate;
Favorable environment for germination and rooting of plants. Using this method allows you to significantly increase seed germination and grow quality seedlings with healthy, strong roots;
Ease of use. Unlike similar devices made from peat, coconut tablets do not become limp, do not turn into slurry when excessively waterlogged, and do not become crusty when dry. In addition, seedlings growing in coconut tablets are very easy to transplant. To do this, it does not need to be removed from the substrate - the seedling is simply transferred to a new “place of residence” along with the container in which it is rooted. This ensures 100% survival rate for plants.

In addition to germinating seeds, coconut tablets are suitable for rooting cuttings of geraniums, roses, fuchsias, begonia leaves and violets. To do this, they are slightly soaked. Make a hole in the center of the container and place the cuttings there. After this, the earth around the plant is lightly compacted and covered from above. plastic bag or a cut plastic bottle to keep the substrate moist.

How to use coconut tablets

Instructions for use

To obtain optimal results, it is important to follow the instructions for using coconut tablets for seedlings:

Place the tablets in a pot or cassettes intended for growing seedlings. Other convenient containers are suitable for these purposes. Keep in mind that their height should be 10-15 centimeters higher than the height of the tablet itself, taking into account its swelling after soaking.
Rinse them clean running water to remove residual sea salt, which is used in the process of producing compressed coconut fiber.
Pour a small amount of warm water, but not hot water, proportional to the size of the tablet. It turns out approximately 30-40 ml for each piece.
A small depression is made in the upper part of the coconut “cup”. Seeds (1-2 pieces) are carefully lowered into it and covered with coconut fiber, humus or peat, which in this case will serve as an additional source of nutrition for the seedlings. After this, the containers are covered with a layer of film to maintain a favorable microclimate for future seedlings.
When the plants have grown stronger and reached the desired size, they are transplanted into pre-prepared holes, without removing the packaging mesh, watered and lightly sprinkled with soil. As a result, the roots will be subject to less stress and will better survive the “painful procedure” of transplantation.

How to use coconut tablets in mini greenhouses

Coconut tablets for seedlings are sold separately and complete with mini-greenhouses, the design of which is thought out in such a way that they have ideal ventilation and humidity conditions. They are compact in size and easy to use. To use them, you must:

Fill the tray that goes up into the greenhouse structure with water.
Wait until the tablets swell.
Plant seeds or plant cuttings in them, cover the tray with a special transparent lid.

Such practical and functional devices are suitable for growing flower seedlings, as well as vegetable crops: peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. They can be used an unlimited number of times, from time to time purchasing a new portion to fill.

When growing agricultural and flower crops using this method, it is allowed to use mineral fertilizers various types. When using them, the effect of the coconut substrate will be even more pronounced and lasting.

How to choose quality material in a store

Today there are several varieties of coconut briquettes and tablets on sale, which can be in a mesh shell or without it. The latter option is not very successful, since during the swelling process such a substrate turns into a shapeless mixture, very inconvenient to use.

When purchasing, pay attention to the quality of the product and the manufacturer, since low-quality substrate often contains larvae of quarantine pests, or is intended for completely different purposes. This means getting quality out of it, healthy seedlings It's unlikely to succeed.

It can be noted that coconut fiber tablets are a really successful and practical find for any gardener who is engaged in growing seedlings on his own.

Do you grow seedlings in coconut tablets? Share your experience in the comments below!

Use soil. But today gardeners and simply amateurs have found a worthy alternative soil - coconut fiber. It has advantages and unique properties, which give it an advantage over other biomaterials. Coconut substrate is made from it in briquettes, which contain crushed fibers of this plant.

Substrate and tablets for plants: description and composition

Coconut substrate consists of 70% coconut fiber and 30% coconut coconut flakes. The process of preparing a ready-to-use product takes about one and a half years. To begin with, the peel is crushed, then fermented, dried and pressed under pressure.

There are several types of finished product: in the form of tablets, briquettes, mats.

Coconut substrate in briquettes looks like a brick and when soaked in water for several hours gives about 7-8 liters ready soil for use.
The tablets are manufactured in different diameters and placed in a fine mesh to avoid product spillage.
The substrate is produced in the form of mats, which, when filled with water, increase in size up to 12 cm.

Since the substrate has a neutral reaction, it can be mixed with the soil without harming its acidity. One of the positive properties of this product is that it does not cake. Contains quite a lot of air, this allows young plant roots to develop quickly. Young seedlings grow and develop better in coconut substrate, but as soon as they gain strength, it will be better to plant them in soil where there are more useful minerals for development.

How do coconut fibers affect plant development?

Coconut soil has a beneficial effect on plant development. Here it is main advantages:

Coco soil maintains optimal soil acidity (pH 5.0-6.5), this promotes the growth and development of any plant, even the most capricious.
Provides good conditions for growing high-quality seedlings with healthy roots.
Allows access to fluids useful substances into the root system, and also creates excellent air exchange.
The substrate is convenient and easy to use. Unlike peat substrates, coconut substrates do not become limp when over-moistened and do not form a crust.
If replanting is necessary, it is enough to simply transplant the seedling along with the container without removing it from the substrate. This guarantees that the root system will not be damaged and the plant will take root 100%.

Application in the garden, vegetable garden and indoor floriculture

As mentioned above, the substrate is universal remedy both in gardening and indoor floriculture. Let's look at each group in more detail. How does coconut substrate behave for growing seedlings, how is it used for indoor plants and how to use it for seedlings in the garden.

For seedlings in a greenhouse

There are several options for those who dream of a greenhouse or already own one.

1. Mini-greenhouses. Coconut tablets for seedlings are sold already in the form of ready-made mini-greenhouses. They are designed in such a way that each container provides ideal moisture and ventilation. Such greenhouses do not take up much space and are very easy to use.

To use them, you need to fill the tray included with water, wait until the tablets swell, and plant cuttings or seeds, then close the lid. This is an ideal way to prepare seedlings and flowers. You can use this greenhouse an unlimited number of times.
2. Greenhouses. If you are the owner of much large sizes, using coconut fiber for seedlings will greatly facilitate your work. The substrate can be mixed with soil for best result. This method of cultivation allows for feeding the plants.

To improve the properties of earthen mixtures used in soil, it is enough to add coco soil, and it will improve looseness, permeability, and moisture capacity (retains moisture even when completely dry). This will allow you to save water and reduce. For greenhouses, it is optimal to use a mixture of coconut fiber and soil, or use coconut mats containing a mixture of 50% cocopeat and 50% cocochips.

The mats are easily placed on shelves; they are covered with a special two-layer film that protects the biosoil from overheating. This allows the mats to be used both in and in open ground.

Important! The mixture of cocopeat and cocochips does not require disinfection when used for the first time,and only when necessary should it be disinfected.The substrate is suitable for 3-5 years and is an economical option.

If coconut substrate is properly disinfected, it can be used not only for seedlings, but also for growing. It is also used for temporary germination of tubers and bulbs (for example, garden and indoor plants).

Effectively use coconut substrate in. It does not clog the solution supply system, does not accumulate heavy metals, has aeration and always maintains its acidity neutral.

Did you know? Unused wet substrate should not be kept closed in a container or bag, otherwise it will turn sour. First, dry it(it is ideal to do this under straight lines sun rays), then just pack it. To reuse, simply moisten the soil again.

For vegetable crops in open ground

The substrate is also used for growing vegetables in open ground. Let's talk about coconut flakes, their benefits and harms.

For planting, make grooves in the soil, where the seeds are laid out and sprinkled with coconut fiber. Because of this, the seeds germinate faster, warm up well and have enough moisture. Also, a crust does not appear on the soil, which allows the seedlings to breathe. This substrate would be ideal for adding to heavy clay soil.

Thanks to coconut fiber, seedlings sprout a couple of weeks faster than when planted in regular soil. This makes it possible to get more healthy and strong seedlings, and therefore the harvest. There is practically no harm from coconut flakes. But if it is used in contaminated soil, it will spread the disease to all plants and ruin the harvest.

Important! Utilization of coco soil occurs in fields and vegetable gardens. It is an environmentally friendly product; you just need to plow a field or dig up a garden, and the used substrate will serve you instead of fertilizer.

For ornamental crops

Coco soil is also suitable for growing ornamental crops ( and ), it is ideal as a soil loosener. It can be used as a . This biomaterial does not contain pests, this allows you to forget about the struggle for cleanliness of the soil and all sorts of things. Coconut substrate is biologically active, which contributes to its colonization with beneficial microflora and protection of your ornamental crops from pathogenic microorganisms.

For indoor plants

Houseplants are very delicate, especially those with tubers. To get easy and useful soil For their growth and development, it is enough to simply mix the substrate with coco soil. In this case, its concentration should be 1/3 of the bulk of the soil.

Coconut fiber will help your indoor plants quickly strengthen the root system if the flower is replanted. If the flower is young, then it will quickly gain strength and will soon delight you with flowering. The substrate will be useful when growing

Etc.) in last years is becoming more and more popular. Although this convenient method of sowing seeds is less economically profitable compared to the usual mass sowing in boxes, bowls and pots, it has many clear advantages. These advantages become especially clearly visible when plants are sown simultaneously (from the same seeds) both in swollen tablets and in pots with a nutrient substrate.

The use of tablets is all the more important when, for some reason, we are late in carrying out the crops within the recommended time frame. But at the same time, of course, we dream of getting flowering seedlings of our favorite plants as early as possible! In such cases, peat and coconut tablets come to our aid, and the cost of purchasing them becomes justified.

Of course, you can germinate seeds in peat and coconut tablets different sizes, successfully growing seedlings of plants of all kinds. But in this article I will focus specifically on seedlings from very small seeds, because it is with them that gardeners most often have problems - rare unfriendly seedlings, their defeat, and difficulties with picking tiny seedlings. The use of tablets allows gardeners to avoid these problems and get healthy, high-quality seedlings in a shorter time.

About the speed of germination of small seeds in tablets

This year (2017) when growing seedlings, I used coconut tablets for sowing small seeds, and.
On the same days, I sowed some varieties of the same plants in pots. Therefore, now I can compare the germination rate of the same seeds - both in pots and in peat tablets.

As a result of this comparison, clear conclusions emerge.
Small seeds sown in swollen tablets germinate faster and more quickly, and seedlings develop much more actively than similar crops in pots with substrate. This difference in germination and development of seedlings is so obvious that, in my opinion, the advantage of using tablets for accelerated cultivation seedlings fully justifies the cost of purchasing them. Moreover, it is quite possible to reuse the released tablets!

Last week, in mid-March, I already from coconut tablets into pots grown seedlings of petunias, lobelias and snapdragon. And the same plants, which are significantly behind them in development, sown in pots, will continue to grow there until picking for some time. I believe that the difference in pick dates between them will be approximately 10 days or a little more.

About buying small flower seeds: regular and granules

At the same time, I want to touch on another important nuance here related to growing seedlings from small seeds.

Seeds of particularly valuable petunia hybrids are now usually sold enclosed in granules. Undoubtedly, sowing sparsely coated small seeds (and also picking up seedlings later) is much easier than ordinary non-granular ones.
However, if we take as a basis that the germination rate of both seeds is approximately the same, granulated seeds germinate much more slowly (important: granules must be destroyed immediately after sowing so that there are no obstacles to seed germination). This fact must be taken into account when choosing seeds in the store and when developing a planting schedule.

Lobelia seeds are now also found granulated. They are much more expensive than regular ones, and they also sprout much more slowly. It is assumed that from one granule several lobelia seedlings should grow at once, which should then be picked like this - “”.
But experience shows that the number of seedlings in the “heaps” obtained from the granules varies greatly, which then inevitably affects the heterogeneity of the grown seedlings. Therefore, I believe that the high cost of granulated lobelia seeds is not justified. It’s better to sow cheaper, non-granulated seeds in tablets and quickly get friendly shoots, and then cut the seedlings into “bundles” of the same size.

Sowing small seeds in coconut tablets

I fill the tablets placed in a low bowl with warm boiled water.
If desired, you can add to the water to speed up seed germination.
After the tablets swell, I drain the excess water and prepare them for sowing.

I used coconut tablets for sowing small seeds. The diameter of the swollen tablets is about 3 cm and the height is about 4 cm.

Before sowing small seeds into a swollen tablet, I first trim the mesh-shell in its upper part. The top of the mesh should be trimmed enough so that the contents of the tablet, after leveling the surface, are well fixed and do not fall out over the edge of the shell.

In the photo: coconut tablets are trimmed before sowing; lobelia shoots

On the leveled, damp surface of the tablet substrate, placed on a white saucer, I evenly sow small seeds from a hard paper bag with an evenly cut edge.
As a rule, small seeds of plants of many species are light-viable, i.e. They need light to germinate, so there is no need to sprinkle the crops. For better contact with the substrate, I lightly press the seeds into it with the pad of my finger.

Seeds that accidentally fall past the tablet are clearly visible on the saucer - they are easy to collect and place on the substrate.
Some small seeds may fall on the side of the tablet shell, stick and then germinate there - it’s okay; when picking, these seedlings will be pulled out and planted in pots.

After sowing, I place the tablets with seeds in transparent plastic boxes from pre-packaged foods with lockable lids. Ventilation holes can be pre-drilled in the lids of the boxes; Or you can do without them - just close the lids loosely, leaving a gap for constant ventilation of the seedlings.

I use suitable (corresponding to the dimensions of the swollen coconut tablets) square boxes with sides 13.5x13.5 cm, height 8 cm. In each such box 3 rows of 4 tablets are installed quite tightly, and in the last row 3 tablets in a checkerboard pattern - the total is compact 15 varieties are available.

To take into account the varieties of sown plants, you need to number the boxes with tablets, and draw a diagram for each of them. And then, in accordance with the arrangement of the tablets during the sowing process, mark the names of the varieties on the diagram.

Caring for seedlings in tablets and picking them

Caring for seedlings developing in swollen tablets placed in plastic boxes is very simple. It consists:
- to protect seedlings from direct hot rays (on sunny days I curtain window glass at the crop level with thin covering material);
- in seedlings in the morning, in the evening and on cloudy days, so that the small plants are green and strong and do not stretch;
- in regular ventilation by opening the lid, so that the seedlings are accustomed to fresh air (during the ventilation process, the condensation accumulated on the lid is shaken off - its drops flow back into the box);
- in rare moistening of the tablets as the moisture evaporates through the ventilation holes in the lid or through a crack from a loosely closed lid (I add water directly to the bottom of the box, which is absorbed by the drying tablets).

Seedlings from small seeds develop rather slowly at first, but every day they grow faster. Therefore, you need to prepare in advance boxes or pots with a light substrate for picking. So that by the time the seedlings have grown enough (do not let them grow and their tops rest against the lid of the box), they can be planted in a timely manner.

To pick seedlings from small seeds, I prepare cups and other containers, filling them with a slightly damp, light, air- and water-permeable substrate (for example, you can add perlite, washed coarse sand, finely chopped dried moss to the prepared substrate).
I make holes in the substrate into which the seedlings extracted from the tablets will be promptly planted.

If seedlings from small seeds have grown with sufficient lighting and regular access to fresh air, then they turn out to be quite strong and hardy - despite their apparent fragility.

Seedlings from small seeds grown in tablets are very convenient to pick. I take out a tablet with seedlings of each variety from the box very carefully - trying to ensure that the seedlings do not get intertwined and pull out from the tablet being removed and from neighboring tablets.

In the photo: lobelia seedlings in a coconut tablet and after picking in a plastic cup

With your right hand, using a suitable thin instrument with smooth edges (for example, one from a manicure set will do), I separate one or more seedlings located on the edge of the tablet from the total mass.
With my left hand I carefully grab and pull out the selected group of seedlings from the tablet. Wherein right hand I make sure to hold the neighboring seedlings so that they remain in their place.
I immediately place the pulled out seedlings in the prepared hole (I deepen them almost to the cotyledon leaves) and, raking the substrate to them from the edges of the hole, lightly squeeze it around the planted plants so that they are well fixed. Then I immediately lightly moisten the substrate around the plantings.

Important: I do not water small plants picked in this way, but only lightly spray the substrate around them with a spray bottle. For the first time, i.e. During the period of rooting of seedlings, such moisture is quite enough for them.

I place the cups with seedlings planted in them in transparent cake lids, and place the lids in large transparent plastic bags. I inflate the bags in the shape of a ball, tie them at the top and place them on the kitchen floor, where the light from the window penetrates.
I regularly ventilate these “mini-greenhouses” so that the rooting plants can breathe fresh air. As they take root, you can make them in a bag vent for constant ventilation.

As soon as the development of pruned and rooted seedlings becomes noticeable, you can remove the cups with plants from the greenhouse and place them in a bright place (but keep them away from hot rays).

About pulling out and digging up seedlings when picking

Despite the apparent “brutality” of such a crude method of extracting seedlings from a wet tablet, the unoutgrown strong plants, when carefully pulled out and very quickly subsequently planted, do not receive any dangerous damage at all. Their small roots, on which particles of coconut substrate often remain, then take root without problems within a few days.

With careful work and acquiring the appropriate skills, such picking is easy and successful. Soon the seeded seedlings begin to grow.

By the way, I often pull out seedlings when picking from cups with a light substrate if the crops are dense. This is especially true if very heterogeneous and unfriendly seedlings have occurred (i.e., some plants have already grown and are ready for picking, and there are still small undergrown seedlings located very close to them). So, with such a forced step-by-step picking of seedlings, pulling out grown seedlings gives both these plants and their little neighbors much less trouble than digging up the roots.
Although when picking seedlings of plants of some species (, (lobularia),