Summer flowers, vegetables and lettuce - in spring many gardeners prefer to grow their plants themselves. In order for this to succeed, you not only need good quality seeds and potting soil, but also pots. Are you looking for the best seed pots for your plants? In this guide you will learn which models are recommended and what you should pay attention to when buying.
If you prefer to harvest at home, you can harvest earlier
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Bato 30 x propagation pot 0.5 L 9x9x10 cm suitable for pre-breeding Robust professional propagation plant pot flower pot square square PP plastic square plant pot for cuttings and seedlings
25.91 EUR To the product| material | polypropylene |
|---|---|
| shape | square |
| Perforated bottom | Yes |
| Quantity | 30 pieces |
| size | 9x9x10cm |
| price / piece | approx. EUR {PRICE/100} |
Classically, growing pots (16.68€) are round - these are not and that is their advantage, because square planting pots can be set up to save space. In this way, you make perfect use of the available space on the propagation tubs and can grow even more plants for the (balcony) garden. However, these potties are also available in a round shape with different diameters if that suits you better. You can also purchase other sizes and quantities - after all, you don't necessarily need 100 plants for a small garden or balcony. You can use the potties for many years and store them after use simply stacked inside each other in the basement. Incidentally, it is difficult for waterlogging to form, as excess water can drain quickly through the holes in the floor.
our recommendation
Elho Green Basics Cultivation Pot 8 - Growpot for Indoor Outdoor Cultivation And Harvesting - Ø 7.5 x H 12 - Living Black
4.49 EUR To the product| material | recycled plastic |
|---|---|
| shape | around |
| Perforated bottom | Yes |
| Quantity | 10 pieces |
| size | 7*7.5*7.5cm |
| price / piece | approx. EUR {PRICE/10} |
If the protection of the environment and resources is important to you, but you don't want to miss out on the advantages of plastic growing pots, this product is the right choice. The plant pots from Elho Green Basics are made from recycled plastic, so no raw materials were used in their production. In addition, they can be used for many years because the material is very robust and durable. According to the manufacturer's information, the plastic is both UV-resistant, i. H. it does not soften even when exposed to the sun for a long time. Amazon customers are very satisfied with this product, especially since the holes on the bottom are not too big. The filled growing soil remains in the container without any problems, only excess water flows off.
our recommendation
Dehner growing pots for plants, Ø each 8 cm, height 9 cm, 48 pieces, cellulose
EUR 6.00 To the product| material | up to 85% cellulose as well as crushed agricultural raw materials and ground lime, 100% peat-free |
|---|---|
| shape | around |
| Perforated bottom | no |
| Quantity | 48 pieces |
| size | Diameter 8 cm, height 9 cm |
| price / piece | about {PRICE/48} EUR |
In terms of environmental friendliness, growing pots made of biodegradable materials are of course better off than plastic products. These pots from Dehner consist of up to 85 percent cellulose, i. H. from shredded wood. Other basic materials are agricultural raw materials (e.g. corn fibers and the like) as well as pure lime without any other additives. The advantage of these growing pots is that you do not have to repot seedlings and cuttings that have grown too big, but simply plant them in the ground together with their pot. The material dissolves by itself and provides a few additional nutrients. The disadvantage, however, is that biological material can mold quickly. So don't be too wasteful with water, especially since the potties soak up moisture like a sponge and then lose their shape.
Purchase Criteria
material
Cultivation pots are made of either reusable plastic or biodegradable materials such as cellulose, coconut fiber or peat. The latter have the advantage that you do not have to repot the plants you have grown, but plant them together with their pots. These rot in the soil and they spare your plants the transplant shock. However, natural materials also have the disadvantage that they quickly mold when exposed to moisture. Plastic pots naturally don't go moldy, but they last for many years. Only their disposal could pose a problem, as with all plastic products, due to the fact that they do not rot. Cultivation pots made from recycled plastic, on the other hand, do not consume any new resources and therefore have a better environmental balance.
shape
Cultivation pots are traditionally round. However, the angular variants are more practical because they save space. You can place many more of these next to each other on the propagation tubs and thus grow more plants.
size
Seedling pots are small, after all they are only used for growing cuttings and seedlings and not as a permanent planting option. As soon as cuttings are rooted and form the first young shoots, you should transplant them into a larger pot. The same applies to seedlings, which are optimally repotted after the formation of the first true pair of leaves (after the cotyledons that appear first). However, growing pots are also available in different sizes, because the optimal size depends on the type of plant.
- Cuttings: need larger pots from the start
- fast-growing plants (e.g. tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers): also larger growing pots
- Deep roots: should be planted in high rather than wide pots
- Shallow roots: need wide instead of high pots
Perforated bottom
A perforated bottom is just as advantageous for growing pots as it is for other planters, because excess water must be able to drain away unhindered. Otherwise, waterlogging will quickly form, which will be deadly for the young plants and will quickly lead to mold growth, especially in pots made from natural materials. Even if these don't go mouldy, but instead small mushrooms grow out of the soil next to the seedlings, the soil is too wet. Cultivation pots made of peat or cellulose also absorb a lot of moisture, so that you are quickly tempted to water more. You can reduce this problem somewhat by adding drainage holes to the bottom of these pots as well.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
Why choose cellulosic pots over peat pots?
You should avoid potting soil and growing pots made of peat as much as possible, as this material has now fallen into disrepute. Large areas of moorland are drained for peat extraction, thereby irrevocably destroying unique habitats for rare animal and plant species - even though there are many equally good alternatives. Furthermore, moors are valuable for climate protection, since CO2 is stored in them - which in turn is released again with peat extraction. Coconut is also problematic as a material, since this basic material does not grow here and therefore has to be flown in from thousands of kilometers away.
Where do I actually put the seed pots?
Grow pots are shaped to fit perfectly in special grow trays. You can use these alone or in the form of a greenhouse, with the latter being the better choice for growing plants. Heat and high humidity are beneficial for seed germination and rooting of seedlings and cuttings. You can only place them on individual saucers if you only want to grow a few plants and only need a few seed pots. However, these are not available to buy as standard.
What do I fill in the seed pots? Can I take source tablets?
Special, low-nutrient potting soil, which you can fill into the pots, is perfect for plant propagation. Of course you can also insert swelling tablets, which mostly consist of pressed coconut fibers and swell up after moistening. Since swelling tablets are round, you should also use round growing pots of the appropriate size when using them.
How do I use the growing pots correctly?
Handling the growing pots is very simple: Place the individual pots close together on the growing tray and then fill in the growing soil. Depending on the size, place one to three seeds in each pot, which are either only lightly covered with soil (light germs) or about half a centimeter deep (dark germs). Now dampen the substrate with a spray bottle and cover it with a hood or cling film. Now keep moist and air regularly - depending on the type of plant, the first green tips will appear after a few days to weeks.
How do I know when it's time to repot?
After germination, young plants initially develop two cotyledons, which are not yet “real” leaves. Only when the first pair of leaves has developed and the plant begins to grow vigorously is it time to repot. Now the young plant needs a larger pot and more nutrient-rich soil.
equipment
Cultivation or seed soil
our recommendation
COMPO SANA growing and herb soil with 6-week fertilizer for all young and herb plants, culture substrate, 10 litres
17.86 EUR To the productIn order for the cultivation of seedlings and cuttings to be successful, you should use special cultivation or sowing soil. This is low in nutrients to stimulate root growth, also loose and well permeable to water.