Download Speedling Trays Product Guide

Speedling Trays
TIPS ON HOW TO USE THE FLATS FOR OPTIMUM PLANT
GROWTH
To ensure best results, please follow these simple guidelines:
1) For proper “air pruning” of the plant’s tap root the flats MUST
be suspended on aluminum T rails (available from your SPEEDLING dealer), or by whatever means necessary to accomplish free
air flow UNDER the Planter Tray. A common practice is to place
the flats on 2x4’s placed on edge at each end of the flat. We recommend a minimum of 2” of UNOBSTRUCTED air space under the
entire tray.
2) Various mixes can be used in these trays. We have the greatest
success with 40% peat/ 40% vermiculite/ 10-20% compost mix.
DO NOT USE SAND IN THE MIX. It is most important to
stimulate root growth. This is best accomplished with the addition
of an available Phosphorus source, such as bone meal, added to the
mix. Use 3-5 Tbs. bone meal per tray or 10 lb. per yard of mix.
Trace elements are also important; we recommend kelp meal at 1 lb.
per yard. Also add a lime source such as dolomite at a rate of 4 lb.
per yard. A custom blended all organic quick-root soil-less potting
mix, especially developed for SPEEDLING systems is available from
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply. DO NOT make a mix that is rich in
Nitrogen. Too much N stimulates rapid vegetative growth, with
little root development. It would be better to have a fully developed
root system with smaller top growth, than vice versa. In order to
pull the plants from the tray, the root system must be developed to
fill the whole cell, at which time all of the cell’s contents (planting
mix and roots) will pop out. This will not happen if you use too
much N.
3) The planting mixture can be wet or dry when filing the trays, but
should be lightly pressed into each cell, to ensure even distribution
and no air pockets. Wet mixes work better for this. Fill the tray all
the way, but make sure that when full the top portion of each cell
divider is exposed (visible).
Product Guide
Completely covering the tray will result in roots from each cell
growing into adjoining cells, causing a dense mat of plants rather
than the desirable individual plant.
4) Plant seeds at normal depths or a little shallower. You must be
sure to keep the trays sufficiently moist to ensure proper germination. Because air moves around the entire tray, the seeds tend to dry
out faster than when planted directly in the ground.
5) When watering trays, make sure that they receive the proper
amount. Water until drips appear at the drain holes in the cells.
Excess water will cause leaching of soluble nutrients. Too little water
fails to fully saturate the cells, thus restricting root growth.
6) Irrigation frequency will depend on your planting mix, the
time of year, air temperature, sun intensity, and wind (if growing outside). In general, many growers water daily. In greenhouses
with controlled temperature and humidity, daily watering may not
be necessary. During cold weather, the need for watering is less.
Conversely, if grown outdoors during windy and/or hot weather,
some growers water twice daily. The trays are quite heavy when fully
saturated. If yours are not, you are not watering enough. Increase
frequency and/or quantity. But remember, too much water causes
excess leaching of useable nutrients.
7) Following development of true leaves, use 1-2 Tbs. of fish emulsion per gallon of water every irrigation. Other soluble fertilizers
may be used, follow their directions. Fertilize regularly but lightly.
Use kelp extracts for growth hormones and trace minerals.
8) Proper time to pull plants from cells of course depends on the
type of plant being grown. Some general rules are: grow plants in
cells until they can be easily removed by gently pulling on the plant
stem. All of the planting mix should come out, with the roots,
leaving a clean cell. If it doesn’t, the plants have not grown long
enough. The tray MUST be thoroughly soaked prior to pulling.
This eliminates friction between the roots and the tray, allowing
the plants to pop out. Don’t let plants get root bound. Pull when
mature. If plants are stuck or you need to pull them early, push up
from the drain hole with a pencil or round stick. Do not damage
the drain hole.
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P.O. Box 2209 • 125 Clydesdale Court • Grass Valley, CA 95945
Order Toll-Free (888) 784-1722 • Fax (530) 272-4794
Page 1 of 2. Revised July 24, 2009.
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9) Virtually every type of vegetable, herb or flower can be grown using the SPEEDLING method. The exceptions are carrots and plants
grown from tubers such as potatoes, or those grown from bulbs such
as garlic, gladiolus, etc. Nearly all commercial growers using this
system grow all of their plants in the one inch cells (200 cells per
tray). Many growers have good success with the 1 ¼” and 2” cells,
especially for plants which normally stay in the cells for a fairly long
period of time such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. 2” cells
are exceptionally good for melons, cukes, squashes, etc. 3” cells are
suitable for any extremely large transplants. It should be emphasized
that all tray sizes will do an excellent job of growing any of these or
other plants. Bigger plants will be obtained from the larger size cells;
quicker time to transplanting and greater use of space with the small
cells.
10) Good success has been obtained by planting root crops in
clumps. Plant crops such as beets, turnips, leeks, parsnips, scallions,
bulb onions, chives, etc. by putting 3-5 seeds in each cell (1” size)
and thinning if necessary to three plants. These can then be transplanted out to grow in small clusters with excellent success. Green
onions can be planted as thick as 7-9 seeds and left as is to grow in
a clump. Other growers are having good success raising parsley and
spinach in clumps by planting 2-3 seeds per cell. Experiment—
please let us know your results.
11) For maximum service and use, caution should be used to avoid
physical damage to trays. Many growers get 25-30 uses out of each
tray with proper care. The tray should be protected from excessive
heat and sunlight when not in use. If you have disease problems, the
trays can be sterilized with hot water, or steam, or use a 2% chlorine
bleach an water solution. Do not place in boiling water. Do not get
gas or other petroleum solvents on the trays.
You have purchased a state of the art transplanting system. Follow
these instructions and you will grow the healthiest, most vigorous
plants possible.
TO BE ECONOMICAL, AGRICULTURE MUST BE ECOLOGICAL
P.O. Box 2209 • 125 Clydesdale Court • Grass Valley, CA 95945
Order Toll-Free (888) 784-1722 • Fax (530) 272-4794
Page 2 of 2. Revised July 24, 2009.