The top 3 recommendations and buying guides

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Classically are Growing pots(€ 16.68 at Amazon *) round - these are not and that is their advantage, because square plant pots can be set up to save space. In this way, you can use the available space on the propagation tubs perfectly, and you can prefer even more plants for the (balcony) garden. However, these pots are also available in a round shape with different diameters, if that's what you prefer. You can also purchase other sizes and quantities - after all, you need for the small garden or the balcony doesn't necessarily have 100 plants. You can use the pots for many years and simply stack them in the basement after use. By the way, waterlogging is difficult to build up, as excess water can quickly drain away through the holes in the bottom.

When protecting the environment and resources is important to you, but you are not taking advantage of the benefits of Plastic growing pots want to do without, this product is exactly the right choice. The plant pots from Elho Green Basics are made of recycled plastic, so that no raw materials were used in their manufacture. In addition, they can be used for many years because the material is very robust and durable. According to the manufacturer's information, the plastic is both UV-resistant, i. H. it does not soften even if it is exposed to the sun for a long time. Amazon customers are very satisfied with this product, especially since the holes on the floor are not too big. The filled Potting soil remains in the container without any problems, only excess water flows off.

When it comes to environmental friendliness, nursery pots made of biodegradable materials are of course better off than plastic products. These pots from Dehner are made of up to 85 percent cellulose. H. made of chopped wood. Other raw materials are agricultural raw materials (e.g. corn fibers and the like) and pure lime without any other additives. The advantage of these nursery pots is that you do not have to repot seedlings and cuttings that have grown too large, but simply plant them in the ground together with their pots. The material dissolves on its own and provides a few additional nutrients. The disadvantage, however, is that biological material can quickly mold. So don't be too wasteful with water, especially since the pots soak up moisture like a sponge and then lose shape.

Purchase criteria

material

Growing pots are made either from reusable plastic or from biodegradable materials such as cellulose, coconut fibers or peat. The latter have the advantage that you do not have to repot the planted plants, but plant them together with their potty. These rot in the soil and they save your plants the transplant shock. However, natural materials also have the disadvantage that they quickly mold when exposed to moisture. Plastic pots naturally do not go moldy, but they will last for many years. Only their disposal could, as with all plastic products, be a problem because they do not rot. Growing pots made from recycled plastic, on the other hand, do not consume any new resources and therefore have a better environmental balance.

shape

Cultivation pots are traditionally round. However, the angular versions are more practical because they save more space. You can place a lot more of these next to each other on the propagation trays and thus also grow more plants.

size

Cultivation pots are small, after all, they are only used for growing cuttings and seedlings and not as a permanent planting option. As soon as the cuttings are rooted and the first young shoots are forming, you should transplant them into a larger pot. The same applies to seedlings, which are optimally repotted after the first correct pair of leaves has formed (after the first appearing cotyledons). However, nursery pots are also available in different sizes, because the optimal size depends on the type of plant.

• Cuttings: need larger pots from the start
• fast growing plants (e.g. B. Tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers): also larger pots
• Deep roots: should be placed in tall rather than wide pots
• Shallow roots: need wide instead of high pots

Perforated floor

A perforated base is just as beneficial for growing pots as it is for other planters, because excess irrigation water must be able to drain away unhindered. Otherwise waterlogging will develop quickly, which will be fatal for the young plants and which will quickly lead to mold growth, especially in pots made from natural materials. Even if these do not go moldy, but instead small mushrooms grow out of the soil next to the seedlings, the soil is too wet. Growing pots made of peat or cellulose also absorb a lot of moisture, so that one is quickly tempted to water more. You can reduce this problem a little by adding drainage holes to these pots at the bottom too.

frequently asked Questions

Why should growing pots made of cellulose be preferred to those made of peat?

Potting soil and also Cultivation pots made from peat should be avoided if possible, as this material has now fallen into disrepute. Large areas of bogs are drained for peat extraction and thus unique habitats for rare ones Animal and plant species are irretrievably destroyed - even though there are many equally good alternatives gives. Furthermore, peatlands are valuable for climate protection, as CO2 is stored in them - which in turn is released again when peat is extracted. Coconut is also problematic as a material because this raw material does not grow here and therefore has to be flown in over a distance of thousands of kilometers.

Where do I actually put the growing pots on it?

Growing pots are shaped so that they fit perfectly into special growing tubs. You can use this alone or in the form of an indoor greenhouse, the latter being the better choice for growing plants. Warmth and high humidity are beneficial for the seeds to germinate and for seedlings and cuttings to take root. You can only place them on individual coasters if you only want to grow a few plants and only need a few nursery pots. However, these are not available for purchase as standard.

What do I put in the growing pots? Can I take swelling tablets?

Perfect for plant cultivation is special, nutrient-poor potting soilthat you can fill in the nursery pots. Of course, you can also insert swelling tablets, which mostly consist of pressed coconut fibers and swell after they have been moistened. Since source tablets are round, you should also use round pots of the appropriate size when using them.

How do I use the growing pots correctly?

Handling the growing pots is very simple: place the individual pots close together on the growing tub and then fill in the growing soil. Now put one to three seeds in each potty - depending on their size - either just lightly covered with soil must be covered (light germs) or about half a centimeter to a centimeter deep (Dark germ). Now moisten the substrate with a spray bottle and cover it with a hood or cling film. Now keep it moist and ventilate regularly - depending on the type of plant, the first green tips will appear after a few days to weeks.

How do I know when it is time to repot?

After germination, young plants initially develop two cotyledons, but these are not yet "real" leaves. Only when the first pair of leaves has developed and the plant begins to grow vigorously is it time to repot. Now the young plant needs a larger pot and more nutrient-rich soil.

equipment

Cultivation or sowing soil

So that the cultivation of seedlings and cuttings succeeds, you should use special cultivation or Sowing soil use. This is low in nutrients in order to stimulate root growth, and is also loose and well permeable to water.