seedling production system
SEEDLING PRODUCTION SYSTEM
Seedling production system is a concept used in production of healthy seedlings especially those of vegetables, herbs, flowers, trees and many crops propagated from seedlings. These are seedlings with a controlled environment. Seedlings are produced in seed trays, with a growing medium either made out of peat / vermiculite or bark or other media found suitable. With controlled amount of sunlight, water and air flow, with a calculated fertigation system (water and fertilizer application) system.
ASSUMPTIONS
• Use trays (Hygrovents) size M105, M242, M200, M300, and M128. These trays used for the propagation of different plants: M105 - Forestry and Cucurbits M128 - Quick to medium rooting vegetables - brassicas, lettuce & tomatoes M200 & M242 - All vegetables, slower rooting vegetables - brassicas, lettuce, tomatoes M300 - Slower rooting vegetables - peppers & chillies • Growing medium: well-refined peat moss mixed with vermicullite/polysterine (hygromix) can be used and is assumed to be the best growing medium. A substitute like pine bark can be used but well sieved to reasonable particle size. Hygrotech has a product called Hygromix, which is well-prepared, medium and ready to use in Hygrovents trays.
• Sunlight - ideally seedling would benefit with a controlled environment of about 30 - 40% shade. A good shade cloth over the seedlings should provide this to allow for better response to phototropism and grow into well-balanced seedlings.
• Fertigation: application of specialised fertilizers through irrigation. Specially formulated fertilizers are applied to achieve a continuous and well-balanced feeding of N P K and micronutrients to the delicate growing plants.
• Plant protection - pests and diseases: seedlings should be health and therefore need to have a well articulated plant protection programmes against infectious diseases and pests. This will ensure transplants that are free from diseases and pests.
Seedling production system is a concept used in production of healthy seedlings especially those of vegetables, herbs, flowers, trees and many crops propagated from seedlings. These are seedlings with a controlled environment. Seedlings are produced in seed trays, with a growing medium either made out of peat / vermiculite or bark or other media found suitable. With controlled amount of sunlight, water and air flow, with a calculated fertigation system (water and fertilizer application) system.
ASSUMPTIONS
• Use trays (Hygrovents) size M105, M242, M200, M300, and M128. These trays used for the propagation of different plants: M105 - Forestry and Cucurbits M128 - Quick to medium rooting vegetables - brassicas, lettuce & tomatoes M200 & M242 - All vegetables, slower rooting vegetables - brassicas, lettuce, tomatoes M300 - Slower rooting vegetables - peppers & chillies • Growing medium: well-refined peat moss mixed with vermicullite/polysterine (hygromix) can be used and is assumed to be the best growing medium. A substitute like pine bark can be used but well sieved to reasonable particle size. Hygrotech has a product called Hygromix, which is well-prepared, medium and ready to use in Hygrovents trays.
• Sunlight - ideally seedling would benefit with a controlled environment of about 30 - 40% shade. A good shade cloth over the seedlings should provide this to allow for better response to phototropism and grow into well-balanced seedlings.
• Fertigation: application of specialised fertilizers through irrigation. Specially formulated fertilizers are applied to achieve a continuous and well-balanced feeding of N P K and micronutrients to the delicate growing plants.
• Plant protection - pests and diseases: seedlings should be health and therefore need to have a well articulated plant protection programmes against infectious diseases and pests. This will ensure transplants that are free from diseases and pests.