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In recent years seed merchants are diversifying into the the supply of pre-germinated seed and plug plants.
This method of growing caters for those people who for various reasons are unable to germinate seeds.
The plug plants can come in various sizes e.g. mini plugs, maxi plugs and pot ready plugs.
Mini plugs are normally about 12mm (½”) square Maxi plugs 25mm (1”) square and pot ready 50mm (2”) square.
The plants are generally posted on by 'express' delivery and will require immediate attention on delivery.
The following procedure should cater for most situations.
Pot up plug plants as soon as possible.
If this isn't practicle, stand the plants in a cool, well lit and well ventilated place.
Plants may have become dehydrated during transportation so water well and allow to drain before potting.
On delivery, pot up plug plants individually into pots or cells of sufficient size to suit the plug size.
Generally a pot/cell 3-4 times larger than the plug suits most situations.
To do this ; part fill the pot/cell with proprietory potting compost then place the plant into the centre of the pot/cell and fill in with more compost.
Ensure that you leave 12mm (½") below the pot rim [6mm (¼") for cells] to allow for watering.
Water in the plants, alternatively stand them in a tray or bowl of water and leaving them until the compost changes to a darker colour.
This may take up to 10 minutes depending on the depth of water.
Place in a frost-free cold frame, greenhouse or conservatory, or on a cool, well lit windowsill.
If growing on a windowsill, turn your pot plants by 90° at least two or three times a week, this will stop them becoming lopsided.
Turn cell tray 180° if space is limited
A useful tip here is to put a label or marker in the pot then daily, you can turn the pots to place the label/marker @ 3. o'clock, 6. o'clock 9. o'clock and 12. o'clock thus ensuring your plants are all being treated/moved an equal amount each day.
Plants need to be grown in as cool conditions as possible and must not be forced.
Be careful not to over water, generally plants are better grown on the dry side rather than being too wet.
Before planting out, your plants they should be hardened off or acclimatised to the lower outdoor temperatures.
Place your plants outdoors 7-10 days prior to planting out during mild weather.
If a frost is forecast, bring back indoors for protection.
If cold, but frost-free nights are forecast either bring indoors overnight or cover them with horticultural fleece or a cloche.
Place outside the following day and repeat as necessary.
When the plants are well rooted into the compost, and all risk of frost has passed, they should be ready for planting in their final position after 4-8 weeks, depending on genus/variety.
The following list of Do’s & Don’ts should help to alleviate potential problems;
Pots/cells must not be allowed to dry out.
Drying out is generally worst around the edges of cell trays.
They must not be allowed to run short of fertiliser or become cell/pot bound.
Feed mini & maxi plugs with a balanced liquid fertiliser every fortnight, pot ready plugs might need feeding weekly depending upon how rapidly they are growing.
Periodically remove a plug from a cell to check if it is root bound, pot on into next sized cell/pot if this is the case.
Signs of stress might be seen as; dull foliage, normally associated with lack of moisture, pale leaves could suggest insufficient feeding.
On seeing any of these symptoms; do not delay in remedying them.
Failure to address these situations can make the plugs more susceptible to pests and diseases.
Be ready to treat any problems as soon as they become apparent, using approved natural or approved pesticides and herbicides.If plants become elongated (leggy), this could be due to lack of light or too much heat or both.
Pinching out the top of the plant can sometimes help to alleviate this elongation and also encourage more side-shoots to develop thus creating a bushier plant.
Plugs should be thoroughly ‘hardened off prior to planting out.
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