Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and much more - why buy vegetables when you can grow them yourself? This is easier than you think if you know how to do it and have the right accessories at home. So-called seed trays are ideal for growing and sowing many garden plants, and you can also use them to propagate cuttings. In this guide, we explain what seed trays are and why they make plant breeding easier for you. In addition, there are recommendations for suitable products.
Plastic seed trays are practical, but not particularly environmentally friendly
Our recommendations
our recommendation
5 stable growing trays, pricking tray 60 x 40, seed cuttings bonsai 59000 Pack of 5 without drainage
29.99 EUR To the product| material | Polypropylene / BPA Free |
|---|---|
| size | 60 x 40 x 6 centimeters |
| inside dimension | 55 x 35 centimeters |
| formations / planting holes | no |
| cover hood | no |
| particularities | 5 pack, no drainage |
Anyone who grows their own vegetables and other plants will benefit from this pack of 5 stable seed trays, which are suitable for sowing, pricking out and propagating cuttings. The square bowls are 55 centimeters long on the inside and measure 35 centimeters on the narrow side. There are no recesses for growing pots (€16.68), so you can use them for various purposes - of course you can still put growing pots in them or fill in the growing soil directly. The product consists of the plastic polypropylene, which is particularly robust and can also withstand heavy pots. In addition, the material is BPA-free. BPA or bisphenol A is a plasticizer contained in plastics that is considered carcinogenic.
our recommendation
Romberg Style BoQube Greenhouse & Planter System 41x17x23cm Cream/Copper Gold
EUR 39.95 To the product| material | polypropylene |
|---|---|
| size | 41 x 17 x 23 centimeters |
| inside dimension | 40 x 16 x 22 centimeters |
| formations / planting holes | 10 compartments |
| cover hood | Yes |
| particularities | TWO-IN-ONE: Both greenhouse and planter |
The Relaxdays mini greenhouse consists of a seed tray, an extra pot tray with 50 wells and a transparent plastic hood. The product can be used in a variety of ways for propelling seeds as well as pricking out and rooting cuttings. With its dimensions of 55.5 centimeters long, 29 centimeters wide and 11.5 centimeters high, the space-saving mini greenhouse fits on any windowsill and is therefore ideal for growing indoors. Only heavy pots cannot be put in, as the material is quite thin - but that is not surprising given the low price.
our recommendation
Stable cultivation tray with 54 planting holes + saucer QuickPot QP-54R
21.22 EUR To the product| material | plastic |
|---|---|
| size | 51.5 x 33.5 centimeters |
| inside dimension | k. A |
| formations / planting holes | yes, extra pot plate with 54 planting holes |
| cover hood | no |
| particularities | including matching coasters |
Very stable and robust, but without a cover - this can be purchased separately if required - is this growing tray, which is also supplied with the matching lower shell. The propagation tray consists of 54 round, slightly conical planting holes five centimeters high and 5.5 centimeters in diameter - ideal for growing vegetable seeds and for rooting cuttings. So that the young plants do not get waterlogged, there are also large holes and spacer knobs on the bottom - the excess water simply runs off into the saucer underneath, which drains the moisture into its integrated water channels. An all-round successful product for easy plant cultivation at home.
Purchase Criteria
material
plastic: Cultivation trays are usually made of plastic. Plastic tubs have the advantage of being sturdy and resistant to moisture. In addition, the artificial materials retain heat better, which in turn benefits the sensitive seedlings and young plants.
Glass: Of course, a model made of glass, which is often embedded in a frame made of wood or metal, is much more attractive than a plant plate made of plastic. These seed trays are considerably more expensive and - with the exception of the appearance and possibly the ecological balance - offer no further advantages for the plants.
wood: We expressly advise against growing trays made of wood, as the material is less moisture-resistant and also does not store heat as well.
Material thickness and quality
Seed trays are available in very different qualities. Make sure that the plastic components are not too thin - then they lack stability and the material can tear quickly. Polypropylene (PP) works best if thick enough.
dimensions and number
The size of the seed trays should or may be depends largely on the space available. If the pot is to be placed on the window sill, it must of course not be significantly larger or wider - surfaces protruding over the edge create instability, so that the pot and the plants fall down. If, on the other hand, you place the seed trays in the greenhouse or in the cold frame, they can of course be larger. If you want to grow a lot of plants, you can buy the seed trays in multiple packs at a lower price.
Extra plant plate or not?
The classic seed tray consists simply of a flat tray into which you either put the seed soil directly or place plant pots (e.g. made of cellulose) that can be purchased separately. These have the advantage that you can determine the quantity and size of the plant pots yourself, depending on the size of the seed tray. However, the propagation boxes, which consist of a separate pot box and a saucer, are also practical. Other growing bowls only have recesses in which the plant pots can be placed better.
drainage
If you opt for a multi-part set with saucer, the pot plate should ideally have drainage holes in the bottom. This allows excess water to run into the saucer and waterlogging - particularly dangerous for sensitive seedlings and young plants - is effectively prevented.
cover hood
A transparent, i. H. Translucent, covering hood is important when cultivating cuttings and seeds. It keeps the warmth inside, which is important for germination and growth, and it also ensures "tension in the air". This in turn means that the humidity inside such a mini greenhouse is kept high and ensures ideal growing conditions. Cover hoods should definitely have a ventilation option, as there is a risk of mold growth if they are not ventilated regularly.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
Which soil do you use for growing and sowing?
For sowing, but also for rooting cuttings and pricking out, a loose, nutrient-poor soil has proven its worth. If possible, use seed or herb soil, as these are ideal for seedlings and young plants in terms of their composition, structure and nutrient content. The substrate must not be pre-fertilized.
Which growing pots are particularly suitable?
Classic growing pots are made of cellulose, a natural and compostable material that you can leave the plants in and which will decompose over time. However, they have the disadvantage that they absorb a lot of water and can mold quickly. In this respect, growing pots made of plastic are less problematic and can also be used several times. You can also fold some yourself from newspaper.
What are source tablets?
Instead of a seed pot, you can also put swelling tablets in the seed trays. These are round, flat pressed balls made of coconut fibers that are doused with warm water before use. They then swell to a multiple of their original size, but retain their shape and thus replace the pot plus potting soil. They are particularly suitable for seed trays with flat recesses on the bottom.
equipment
propagation pot
our recommendation
Connex growing pots Ø 6 cm - practical set of 24 pieces - 100% peat-free made from PEFC-certified cellulose - biodegradable / plant pot / seed pot / plant growing / FLOR79100
2.99 EUR To the productCultivation pots made of cellulose are biodegradable and can therefore later be put into the bed or the final plant pot with the plants. There they rot in the soil and thus provide a few more nutrients for the plants. For ecological reasons, be careful not to buy pots made of peat.
source tablets
our recommendation
Coconut source tablets with nutrients - 36 pieces, coconut soil pressed for plant cultivation without pricking out, peat-free - cultivation soil coconut from OwnGrown
EUR 7.95 To the productSource tablets consist of pressed coconut earth and are surrounded by a fleece. This ensures that they keep their shape even after swelling. The swelling takes only a few minutes, after which the substrate can be planted immediately. In addition, the material is compostable and can therefore later be planted in the bed or in the planter.
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 productSowing or propagating soil perfectly meets the needs of seedlings, seedlings and cuttings: It has a loose, well-drained structure so that waterlogging has no chance and the young plants can easily root through it. In addition, the special soil is just right for most herbs, as these also have a rather low nutrient requirement.