Box for seedlings is one of the most common options for containers used for growing plants. Many gardeners consider them more convenient in comparison with other types of packaging.
Boxes for seedlings have the following advantages:
- seedlings are in boxes until transplanting into open ground;
- Boxes make it possible to save a lot of space. Many gardeners prefer to buy or make boxes, which are as close to the size of the window sill as possible;
- Due to the fact that seedlings are located in a small area within one box, the cost of its additional lighting is reduced.
Types of boxes for seedlings
Depending on the material of production, the boxes are divided into wooden, tin and plastic.
In addition, you can grow seedlings in boxes in many ways. Depending on this design, there are:
- solid - consisting of one section, which poured earth and planted seeds. Transplanting into the open ground from such a box is best done in this way. The box is placed in a previously prepared groove in the ground and disassembled. In this case the seedlings will continue their development naturally in the open ground;
- sectional - divided into separate cells, in each of which a separate plant is planted.
Wooden boxes for seedlings
Wooden boxes for seedlings are very easy to make by yourself. This will require:- boards, corners, loops and screws, from which a container is constructed;
- sheet of plywood used as a stand for the box;
- Polyethylene film, which is lined inside the box, so that it does not pass water;
- pebbles, which is placed on the bottom of the box to ensure drainage.
The drawbacks of a wooden box include difficulties in extracting seedlings from it (the root system may be traumatized), and the large weight of the box filled with earth, which makes it difficult to carry it.
Section box for seedlings
A sectional or multicellular seed box is an excellent alternative to various small-size containers - disposable cups or plastic bottles. This design will allow you to observe a larger order and make the cultivation of plants more convenient. The material for the box is wood or rigid plastic. The walls must necessarily be opaque in order to protect the root system of plants from light.
The main advantage of this type of box is that the roots of the plants are separated and do not encounter obstacles in the way of their growth.
Other variants of seedlings for growing seedlings may be containers made from paper, foil bags from milk or juice, cropped plastic bottles.
Which boxes are best for seedlings?
In order to create optimal conditions for growing seedlings, it is recommended to adhere to the following standard proportions when manufacturing boxes:
- the depth of the box should be about 8-9 cm;
- length about 40 cm;
- width about 25 cm.
The box for seedlings must meet the following criteria:
- have drainage holes;
- Be opaque to exclude the effect of light on the roots of plants;
- The walls of the box must have good thermal conductivity in order to protect plants against temperature changes;
- The box must have a rigid shape to exclude soil mobility and trauma to the root system of plants.
Thus, for growing seedlings, boxes are used that can be purchased or easily manufactured independently.