If you have immersed yourself fully in the world of gardening or horticulture, there are a series of tools and elements that you should know. Because they can make your plant care work much easier and more successful. So let's see what is a seedbed.
We will analyze what it is, what the purpose of this device is, what types exist, and we will see some tips to use the seedbeds correctly and get the most out of them.
What is a seedbed?
Basically it is a container intended for assist seed germination and initial seedling growth, before they are in optimal conditions to be transplanted to their final location in the garden or orchard.
Of course, nothing prevents you from directly placing the seeds in the soil where the plant will be definitively located. But this is not always the best option. Because the seeds and the seedlings that arise from them are delicate and weak, and They usually require special care and a more controlled environment.
What are seedbeds used for?
These containers are used in both home gardening and agriculture, also at the domestic level and even on a larger scale. Fulfilling functions that They are essential in the process of growing plants from seeds:
Controlled germination
They allow us to have the seeds in a controlled environment in terms of humidity, temperature and light conditions. This makes it easy to make adjustments if necessary, and thus ensure that the seeds germinate optimally.
Start the growing season early
Depending on the type of plant we want to obtain, we must plant the seeds at one time or another of the year. The good of the seedbeds is that They give us greater freedom when working with seeds.
We can bring forward the growing season, because we can plant the seeds when there are still a few weeks until the outdoor planting season begins. This is very useful if you live in an area with harsh and long winters or with weather conditions that can be unpredictable.
Saving space and resources
If you carry out the initial development of your plants in a more controlled space, you make better use of resources. Because you won't need as much space or as much substrate or an excessive amount of water.
The soil you put the seeds in is specially prepared to promote germination, and this saves you time and money.
Seedling protection
The seedlings that emerge from the seeds are weak and may die if they have to face adverse weather conditions. But in the seedbed there are a lot more protected and their chance of survival is greater.
Something similar happens with insect pests. Some, such as aphids and scale insects, have a weakness for young plants, and can destroy them in a very short time. But, if we have them in a seedbed, They will be more protected from the action of these insects.
Increased success rate
Being clear about what a seedbed is and what it is for, we can safely affirm that one of its purposes is to increase the success rate. Because provides ideal conditions for seed germination and early care of seedlings. Resulting in healthier and stronger plants.
What types of seedbeds exist?
In the market you can find different varieties. The choice depends on the specific needs of your plants and the space you have available:
- Seedling trays. They are trays made up of individual cells that allow different types of seeds to be planted in a single container. In addition, they facilitate the subsequent transplanting of the seedlings.
- Small pots. Small pots are also a good option as a seedbed.
- Germination mats. These mats already come with a special substrate mix and seeds. They are used to make row crops and are used for fast-growing herbs and vegetables.
- Peat discs. They are compressed discs that expand when wet. You put the seed in them and, when they have germinated, you can plant it directly in the ground along with the peat disk.
- Grow bags. For plants that do not tolerate transplanting well, it is best to germinate in a grow bag. This is then planted directly into the soil and degrades naturally over time.
- Cardboard or recycled paper seedbeds. If you do not want to plant seeds regularly and it is a one-off test, it is best to choose cardboard or recycled paper seedbeds. They are discarded after use, although some versions can be planted directly in the ground and serve as compost for plants.
Tips for using seedbeds
Here are some tips to help you get better results when using seedbeds:
Choice of container
Make sure you choose a seedbed that adapts well to what you want to plant. And also check that it has holes at the bottom so that the substrate drains optimally.
Substrate choice
Choose a good quality, well-aerated substrate. You can buy specific substrate for seeds or prepare your own mixture based on universal substrate and perlite or vermiculite.
Control humidity
Cover the seedbed with a transparent lid or cover that helps retain moisture during the germination process while allowing light to pass through.
When the seedlings begin to appear, remove the cover so that excess moisture does not end up rotting them.
Monitor temperature
It is important that the temperature remains constant during the germination process. For most seeds The ideal temperature ranges between 18 and 24º C.
If you are in a very cold area, you can make use of germination heaters to stimulate growth.
Provide good lighting
Even if the seeds have not germinated, it is important that the substrate receives light from the first moment. The idea is that it is natural light but, if this is insufficient, you can resort to the use of LED or fluorescent lights.
Labeled
Label each seedbed with important information. You cannot miss the name of the plant, the sowing date, and any other information you consider relevant.
You already know what a seedbed is and how to get the most out of it to make all types of plants germinate. Have you ever used it?