The objective is to get even plants so seedling selection is very important. This is always better if a set procedure for this is used. It is best to transplant the plants into the cube on the floor, to avoid any stress caused by moving them.
- Wetting up and wetting up lines: it is best to wet up of cubes using overhead irrigation. Make sure to saturate the cubes fully.
- Use an EC of 2.5 to 2.7 and a pH of 5.2.
- Cube hole sizes: the most commonly used cube hole sizes is 30 / 35 mm for the plugs put horizontal (90º) as well inverted (180º).
- Time of selection: if the seedlings are large enough, the plants are ready to be sorted, after 14 - 16 days and directly transplanted.
- Always start with the most mature seedlings and finish with the smaller ones. Preferably wait a bit longer if possible with transplanting to avoid blind heads. The heads should have at least a diameter of 8 - 10 mm.
- Grading sizes: seedlings are normally graded into two sizes. The current varieties have a quite high and uniform germination percentage. A standard is (depending on variety):
- 70% first selection
- 20% second selection
- 10% not applicable
- Grading can be done by hand