Precision in the sowing of the seeds is important to produce even germination.
Wetting up lines
- Normally 2 wetting up lines or pipes are used to wet up plugs on the sowing machine.
- The first one can use recycled water up to 50%.
- The last one should always use clean or sterilized water.
Water and nutrition
- Wet up the plugs in the trays with a standard solution of EC 1.5 and pH 5.3 to 5.4.
- Check and make sure that all trays are saturated evenly; a fully saturated 240 seed tray weighs around 2,350 grams after it has drained. A fully saturated 252 seed tray weighs around 2,470 grams after it has drained.
- Check the pH and the weight frequently during this critical period to make sure the germination is even.
Rootstocks
These should be grown at lower temperatures of between 15 and 20 °C.
Seed postion in the plug and hole types
- Make sure that the seed of the rootstock and the variety are in the middle of the plug.
- Cultilene can offer a variety of hole types in the plug.
Covering the seed
Cover seed in the plug with medium grade vermiculite making sure that the grid of the tray is still visible. This gives the correct and even depth. Then cover with foil making sure that there is air movement under the foil at least twice a day. If possible, use tents.
Laying out the trays in the glasshouse
The trays should be raised off the floor using pots or similar to make sure air can get to the bottom of the trays.
- Germination temperatures: 18 – 22 °C.
- Humidity: 80 – 95% RH.
- Additional lighting during the winter after germination of 3000 lux until transplanting. Day length 12 hours max.