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Transplant Production 24 Midwest Veg Guide 2022 In general, peat type containers are the most expensive, followed by the Todd planter type, then the polystyrene type. The number of plants in a tray depends on the cell size for each plant. Vegetables are commonly grown in trays with 30 to 300 cells. In general, larger cells lead to greater early yield in fruiting crops. Larger cells are also easier to manage because the greater soil volume holds more water and nutrients. Due to the expense of building and maintaining greenhouse space, many growers have moved to smaller cell volumes so more transplants can be grown in the limited space available. Some growers use two different cell sizes: a larger size for crops they expect to harvest earlier, and a smaller size for crops they expect to harvest later. Seeding and Growing Most vegetable transplants are sown one seed per cell. As a general rule, plant vegetable seeds at a depth two times their diameter. Vegetable seeds temperature requirements vary; most vegetable seeds germinate in the 70°F to 90°F range. The time from seeding to transplanting varies from three to four weeks (e.g., cantaloupe) to 10 to 12 weeks (e.g., celery). Vegetable seed may be ordered with special features, including seed priming and pelletizing. Primed seeds have been partially hydrated, then dried down, resulting in earlier germination and better uniformity. Priming may be useful for hard-to-germinate seed such as triploid watermelon. Seed may be pelletized to make it easier to handle. In this process, varieties with small seeds, or irregular seeds (such as lettuce) are coated to make the seed larger and uniform in size and shape. This process makes mechanized planting easier. The growing mix should be well-drained and free of disease- causing organisms (pathogens). Most commercial mixes fit this description and perform well. These mixes are often referred to as "soilless mixes" since they are composed primarily of peat or coconut coir, perlite or vermiculite, and sometimes bark or ash. These mixes usually come in bales or bags and have been pasteurized (sufficiently heated to kill soil microorganisms capable of causing disease problems). It is advisable to test the mix before using it to make sure the pH is within an acceptable range (between 5.5 and 6.5) and to determine the initial nutrient content of the mix. Most mixes include a small amount of fertilizer, but transplants usually benefit from additional regular nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization once true leaves appear. Depending on the initial nutrient level in the mix, including calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the fertilizer solution may also be advised. Soluble synthetic fertilizers (21-5-20, 20-10-20) and liquid organic fertilizers (e.g. fish emulsion) are commonly used. The best rate, frequency, and method of fertilization will depend on your potting mix and watering practices. Common alternatives include a 50 to 200 ppm N solution applied at every watering, or a 300 to 500 ppm N solution applied weekly. Mixes that contain significant amounts of compost may not benefit from additional fertilizer until several weeks into transplant growth. To make a 100 ppm N solution, use 0.42 pounds (6.6 ounces) of a 20 percent nitrogen fertilizer for every 100 gallons of water, or 4 fluid ounces of a liquid fertilizer containing 3 percent nitrogen for 10 gallons of water. Over-application of ammoniacal N can be detrimental to transplants. This problem can be minimized by not over-applying N, and by using fertilizer in which most N is in the nitrate form. Check the bag label. Transplants that are too tall and tend to fall over are often referred to as "spindly," "shanky," or "leggy." Such transplants may have low survival rates in the field. Spindly transplants are produced under low light conditions, high fertilizer rates, and/or overwatering. Cloudy weather or greenhouse structures that don't let in adequate light could be the culprits. Artificial lights could be helpful during inclement weather, but may be cost prohibitive. Under such conditions, use a fertilizer containing a lower percentage of P. For instance, try 21-5-20 rather than 20-20- 20. It is important to provide adequate P, but not too much. Under fertilization with P will produce short plants, but yields also will suffer. Hot days and cold nights favor leggy transplants. If night temperatures are equal to or higher than day temperatures, stem elongation will be reduced. It may be sufficient to lower the temperatures for a two-hour period starting at dawn. To prepare transplants for the harsher environment of the field, it is necessary to harden them off. Transplants may be hardened off by withholding water and lowering temperatures moderately during the last week or so of growth. Some growers place transplants in wagons and wheel the transplants outside on appropriate days to get the plants used to field conditions. The transplants are wheeled back inside at night and during especially harsh weather. After transplanting, plants should be irrigated as soon as possible. Some transplanters are equipped to irrigate plants at the time of transplanting. Otherwise, arrange to irrigate soon. Applying a small amount of starter fertilizer in the transplant water is often beneficial. If transplants are held in the greenhouse to replace those that don't survive, remember to avoid using transplants that have begun to vine or flower. Diseases Diseases that are likely to affect vegetable transplant production in the Midwest fall into two types: damping- off diseases (caused by soilborne fungi) and transplant diseases (usually associated with fungi, bacteria, or viruses that survive with seed or plant residue). These diseases can cause extensive transplant loss.