Planting tomatoes in peat tablets: growing rules with photos and videos

Updated: June 10, 2019

Peat tablets are a ready-made substrate containing the required amount of nutritional ingredients. The appearance of this type of fertilizing began to gain popularity among gardeners due to its easy and convenient use. When using these tablets, the survival rate of tomato seedlings is significantly higher, which helps spread the popularity of this method.

Benefits of peat tablets

In appearance, peat tablets are light brown washers with a central hole for seed material. On the outside there is a mesh with small cells that hold a compressed layer of peat with the addition of antibacterial components and minerals. Depending on the size of the seeds being grown, you can select a washer with a suitable diameter.

The possibility of growing tomato seedlings in peat tablets has become widespread due to the following advantages:

The root system of planted plants will be constantly provided with oxygen due to the breathable structure.
After being transferred to the soil, the outer layer gradually dissolves, which helps protect the seedlings from the effects of the fungus at an early stage of development.
When planting in the ground, there is no need to remove the seedlings from the peat pot, since over time it will dissolve on its own and will not interfere with the growth of the root system.

Pots for planting seedlings have compact dimensions and do not take up a large amount of space.
Due to the presence of mineral additives and growth activators, the seed will not need additional feeding, and the seedlings will grow strong and bring a large harvest.
The versatility of the peat base allows you to grow any vegetable crops in tablets, including eggplants, tomatoes and others.
The devices can be used for planting expensive crops that do not tolerate picking well.

Definition and composition

Peat tablets are compressed cylinders of high-moor dry peat, which are made with the addition of mineral fertilizers and a growth stimulant.

and an antibacterial component. In their shape they are very similar to a tablet, which is where they got their name.

The composition was chosen to best facilitate the forcing of seedlings and seed germination: minerals activate growth, antibacterial additives prevent fungi and mold from developing, and the peat-humus mixture creates nutrition. The outside of the tablet is placed in a fine-mesh mesh, which prevents the soil from crumbling.

Manufacturers produce tablets of various sizes, 25-75 mm in diameter. Moreover, their height is the same (approximately 9 cm when wet, approximately 16-22 mm when dry).

At the top end there is a special recess for planting seeds

. Preparation for use is quite simple: you just need to fill the tablets with warm water and leave them to swell.

To germinate different seedlings, you can choose tablets of different diameters. For seedlings of peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers, large ones are best; for flowers, for example, petunias, smaller tablets are best.

In addition, when purchasing tablets, you can choose these products with the required level of acidity for germinating various crops (for example, vegetables require neutral soil, flowers require more acidic soil).

Main advantages

Those people who have already tried this innovation were able to appreciate the advantages of this method over the usual cultivation of seedlings in pots or boxes. In addition to the obvious saving of space in the room (since the installation of greenhouses or pallets

with tablets takes up much less space than traditional boxes with soil), tablets also have a large number of undeniable advantages:

convenient for sowing expensive or small seeds (there is no need to thin out the seedlings, there is less chance of infection with blackleg, the germination percentage is quite high);
suitable for growing seeds of capricious and delicate plants, since they do not damage the root system;
there is no additional need for feeding with growth stimulants and fertilizers, since these additives are already in tablets;
you can easily adjust the humidity level by adding water to the container or tray with seedlings;
suitable for planting seedlings of those garden crops that
cannot tolerate picking and replanting
a special mesh retains its shape, it makes it possible to move seedlings without danger, and also allows you to plant plants directly in the ground without causing harm to the root system;
peat has a “breathing” structure, this makes the roots stronger and gives them an influx of oxygen, which will make the plant more resilient.

The economic advantages of this useful invention include reasonable cost, ease of storage before use in dry form, and reduced material costs for the purchase of seed and seeds with an increased level of germination.

Moreover, the use of this method, as opposed to the classical methods of growing seedlings, eliminates the fuss with spilled soil, the hassle of steaming the soil, etc.

The only warning: do not buy very cheap ones.

, which do not fit into a paper base or mesh, since when filled with water they can turn into a pile of peat.

Main disadvantages

This method has few disadvantages, however, for the sake of fairness, it is necessary to mention them.

Tablets need to select suitable containers where the entire procedure from soaking to planting garden crops in open ground will take place.
The peat substrate dries out quite quickly, and this should not be allowed under any circumstances, otherwise the seedlings may die. Accordingly, it is necessary to carefully monitor the humidity level. By and large, this point is considered a disadvantage with a big stretch, since gardeners, tired of waiting for the winter, already pay a large share of attention to the planted seedlings.
Growing seedlings on an industrial scale can be quite expensive
, since one tablet must be used for one bush. During small volumes you can afford this, but it is quite expensive to sow a large garden with seedlings grown in this way.

How to choose the right one

In order for tomato seedlings to develop properly and produce a good harvest, several selection rules must be taken into account. It is recommended to purchase pots and tablets with a loose base, since in hard and highly compressed devices the root system will not be able to develop freely and will remain weak.

Since tomatoes and other vegetable crops grow best in neutral soil, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the acidity level.

Another important criterion is dimensions. Tablets with a small diameter of up to 36 mm are suitable for planting flowers or small bushes. To grow tomatoes, you should purchase varieties with a larger diameter from 41 to 70 mm so that the roots of the seedlings have enough space to spread in the soil.

Novice gardeners and vegetable gardeners often opt for the available options without a paper shell, but it is better to use options in cardboard cups. This variety is impregnated with a fungicidal agent that will prevent the negative effects of parasitic fungi. In addition, the outer shell is able to maintain its shape during the period of swelling, which allows you to use various methods of growing seedlings without the risk of the pot crumbling or breaking.

How to use

When growing tomatoes in peat tablets, you should first soak the devices in liquid so that they swell and increase in size. Pots must be prepared according to the following instructions:

Place the tablet in the bottom of a smooth container that does not leak and can be closed tightly. The hole for the seed should be located at the top, since it is not recommended to turn soggy pots over.
Space must be left between the seedling devices so that during the growth process the seedlings do not intertwine with each other with roots that are difficult to separate.
Warm water is better for soaking, as this will speed up the swelling process. You need to pour in so much liquid that the tablet is completely immersed in it. After a couple of minutes, the peat devices begin to absorb moisture and float to the surface.

If necessary, it is allowed to add liquid until the peat stops absorbing it. If excess water occurs, you can drain it to prevent rotting.
To expand the sowing space, you can tear the top mesh layer and bend the edges inward. If seedlings are grown in a glass from one grain, then there is no need to break the mesh.

Planting seeds in a tablet

Before you start planting in peat pots, you need to prepare the seed. If pelleted tomato seeds are used, no processing is required. When growing other varieties of seeds, it is necessary to disinfect them from carriers of infectious diseases, treat them with growth stimulants and soak them in a complex fertilizer.

Treatment of seeds against pathogens is carried out by soaking them in disinfectants. The seeds should be placed in a gauze cloth and placed in the solution for a couple of hours. Then the seed must be washed in warm water. Spraying with growth stimulants leads to accelerated development due to the content of phytohormones in the preparations.

Complex fertilizers are necessary when preparing seeds, since a deficiency of nutritional components disrupts normal growth, does not allow the formation of a strong root system and leads to a reduction in yield.

Having prepared the seeds and figured out how to use peat tablets for seedlings, you need to manually sort through the planting material and weed out damaged specimens. Large and healthy tomato seeds are stuck into the peat-based hole, gently pushing inward. It is recommended to sprinkle the grains with a thin layer of humus or carefully scrape the peat from the edges to the central part.

When planting, small seeds can be pryed out with a toothpick or similar improvised object. Having placed a small grain in a hole, it is possible to leave the hole open, since in this case the crop will require more lighting at the initial stage of development. To plant tomato seedlings, leave 2-3 seeds in each hole. After germination, you can leave the most developed shoot and pull out the rest.

Preparation

Fertilizer and container for it

Peat tablets should be placed in a closed transparent container and placed in the brightest, insulated place. It is possible to use a cake box with a transparent lid or any other transparent container.

Next, you should cover it with film to recreate high air humidity. It is more convenient to use special microgreenhouses with recesses for each peat tablet for this purpose.

Seed preparation

Before sowing seeds in peat tablets and growing tomatoes, it is necessary to carry out preliminary preparation. If the seeds are purchased, then there is no need to prepare them , since they are already pre-treated by the manufacturer with special substances.

Seed preparation consists of the following key points:

treatment against pathogens of infectious diseases;
treatment with growth stimulants;
soaking seeds in special mineral fertilizers.

In order to prevent the appearance of various fungi and pathogens in tomatoes in the future, you need to soak the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate and place them in a small fabric container. The seeds should be placed in a solution with a disinfectant for several hours, and then carefully rinsed in water.

Before planting old tomato seeds, it is best to pre-treat them with growth stimulants. They contain phytohormones that will help the seeds germinate much faster and bear good fruit.

You can compensate for the lack of nutrients by soaking the seeds in a solution of complex fertilizers , which contain manganese and potassium necessary for plants. Soaking is carried out during the day.

Optimal conditions for growing seedlings

Providing suitable conditions for seedling germination is the key to obtaining a good harvest. Containers with seedlings should be covered with polyethylene or other similar material to retain heat near the seeds. At low temperatures, tomato seedlings are not able to grow, as a result they freeze and stop developing. You cannot sow or leave seedlings near heating elements, as the soil will dry out and the plants will require additional fertilizer.

During the daytime, peat pots can be left on the windowsill to expose them to direct ultraviolet rays. To prevent the formation of condensation, you should open the containers slightly for a couple of hours every day. When the outside temperature is cold, the container should be wrapped in cloth for additional warmth.

Throughout the entire process of growing seedlings before planting in the ground, proper care of the seedlings is required.

Failure to comply with basic care rules leads to problems during subsequent replanting in open soil.

Timing for sowing seeds for seedlings:

Peppers – 60-70 days Cucumbers, pumpkins, watermelons – 25 days Standard tomatoes – 40-45 days Tall tomatoes – 50-60 days.
And, most importantly, the sowing time depends on the date of planting in the ground.

So, we’ve sorted out the sowing dates a little, now let’s look at the issue of properly preparing the soil for growing seedlings. The soil should not be acidic. Just don't taste it to check the acidity. To do this, you just need to sow radishes. The radish sprouts quickly, and if this happens, then the acidity is normal, but if it sprouts for a long time and unevenly, then the acidity of the soil is increased. Also, the soil should not be greasy. Rich soil works well for many mature plants, but is not recommended for growing seedlings. If the soil is oily, then mix it with sand in a 1:1 ratio, thereby preparing it for growing seedlings.

Chemical fertilizers should not be added to the soil for seedlings. The soil should be neutral and easy for seeds.

To prepare the soil mixture, take a bucket of soil, mix it with a bag of con, spray it with the “Shine-1” solution, pour the soil into the bag. Tie the bag, releasing the air, and place it in a dark, warm place for 2-3 weeks.

What is meant by favorable conditions for growing seedlings? Everything is simple here: properly prepared soil, optimal humidity and lots and lots of light. Don't forget about the air temperature. Check with a thermometer what the temperature is on your windowsill. Because in the room it can be +20 degrees, but on the windowsill it’s only +10 or even +5.

When growing seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, the optimal temperature for seed germination is +26⁰ C; for other plants the temperature should be slightly lower.

Rules for watering peat tablets

Watering peat devices is a necessary condition for proper cultivation of seedlings. Until the moment when the planted seeds have not yet sprouted, it is enough to spray the tablets with a spray bottle. Using a sprayer prevents the plantings from drying out and prevents them from getting wet. At the same time, it is always necessary to monitor the humidity, since a white tint may appear on the seedlings, which indicates the need to reduce the liquid.

First achievements

Having noticed the emergence of seedlings, it is recommended to lift the edge of the lid or covering material, and then fix the device in this state for several hours. This measure is necessary after the growth of the very first seedlings for ventilation. At the same time, it is important to prevent through blowing of the plants, since tomato seedlings may wither and stop developing the root system.

After the green stems sprout, you need to completely stop spraying and pour liquid exclusively onto the tray so that the root system can absorb moisture through the lower layer of peat.

A couple of weeks after the detection of seedlings, the water for irrigation should be diluted with the preparations necessary to stimulate growth. The products disinfect the soil and prevent the development of mold and fungal diseases.

The outer shell of peat pots can not be removed even when seedlings begin to grow, since the outer layer does not allow the device to spontaneously collapse. Under these conditions, the root system develops normally and strengthens sufficiently to penetrate the frame.

Secrets of experienced summer residents

Gardeners with extensive experience in growing tomatoes and other vegetable crops have many secrets on how to get a large harvest. Taking into account such nuances, many common problems can be avoided. These secrets include the following:

Grown-up planted tomatoes can be periodically taken out into the fresh air when it warms up enough. By keeping plants on the balcony or outside for a couple of hours a day, you can prepare the seedlings to adapt after being transferred to open soil.
If the grain does not take root in one of the containers, then in its place you can plant a mature sprout remaining after sorting the seedlings.

The seedlings can be transplanted into open ground 3-4 weeks after sowing. When growing a heat-loving and high-maintenance tomato variety, it is better to keep the plants in a container for 10-12 weeks, until the root system begins to break through the outer layer on its own.
Peat containers are convenient to use for transplanting into the ground, since the seedlings do not need to be removed from the pots first. The tablets dissolve in the soil over time and serve as additional fertilizer for the crop.

Mini-greenhouses for tablet sowing

Mini-greenhouses are specialized containers designed for growing seedlings and rooting cuttings. Externally they resemble an egg tray.
There are special recesses or recesses for peat or coconut cylinders.
To prepare the bed for sowing, simply pour water into the tray and wait until the pressed cylinders swell.
Then cover the container with a lid and place in a warm place.

Mini-greenhouses are designed in such a way as to provide a favorable microclimate and protect sprouts from diseases and bacteria. An optimal level of humidity is maintained here, and there is ventilation for continuous air circulation.

Advantages of greenhouses:

Comfortable, design thought out to the smallest detail. Compact, they will find a place in a large house, small apartment or utility room. Unlike bulky boxes and containers, they occupy only 1 m2 of space, leaving the rest of the space free. On 1 m2 of a cassette mini-greenhouse it is possible to grow up to 150 healthy, viable plants.
In boxes and homemade containers, it is often impossible to adjust the sowing density. As a result, the planting is thickened, the strong shoots begin to be suppressed, and the weakest ones are killed. When sowing in cassettes, this problem is easily solved. Each seed takes up space and germinates in one cassette cell. Due to the limited area of the cells, the root system grows powerful and sinewy, and stem growth, on the contrary, slows down. The sprouts stretch out less and go more to the root than up.
Cassettes can be used repeatedly and do not lose their properties and characteristics over time. They are considered an ideal environment for agricultural technology of any gardening and household crops. Eliminates the need to search for what to plant and where. Ensure cleanliness and hygiene when working with seeds and seedlings.

The simplest options for specialized containers with a transparent lid are shown in the photo. Moreover, the lid can be sealed or with ventilation holes. There are also more complex devices. What to choose depends on the task at hand, the price of the container and personal preferences.

Important! When selecting the height of the container, take into account how much the tablet will grow after swelling. During the process of growing seedlings, the lid of the container should not be close, much less in contact with the surface of the swollen substrate.