How to Plant Pellets

Plant pellets are a useful tool for starting plant seed. Pellets are made of compressed peat infused with nutrients. The peat expands when moistened, creating a natural pot for the seed to grow in. The peat provides all of the nutrition that a germinating seed needs. Once the seedling reaches a sturdy enough size, the peat pellet can be planted into a pot or garden. The peat will be incorporated into the soil and provide it with nutrients and drainability.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Planting tray with cover
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Soak the peat pellets in warm water to expand them to their full size. The amount of water necessary will be listed on the peat pellet's packaging. Or, simply place them in a tray and add enough water to cover the pellets. As the peat pellet absorbs the water, it will expand. Continue to add water to the bottom of the tray until the peat pellet stops expanding, usually at 1 to 2 inches in height. Then, pour off the excess water.

2. Plant the seed in the shallow holes in the top of the peat pellet. If the seed is large, plant only one seed in one of the holes. If the seed is small, plant one seed in each of the 2 to 3 holes. If there are no holes in the pellet, make your own -- a centimeter deep or so -- with the tip of a small, sharp knife.

3. Place the cover on the planting tray.

4. Place the tray in an area where it will receive indirect sunlight.

5. Add water to the bottom of the tray periodically to prevent the peat from drying out. Pour off any unabsorbed water once the peat pellets are moist but not soaking.

6. Remove the planting tray cover once the seeds germinate. Allow the peat pellets to dry out a little between waterings. When they begin to fade to a lighter shade of brown, re-moisten the peat pellets.

7. Move the planting tray to a window with southern exposure where the plants will receive full sunlight for at least six hours daily once they grow their second set of leaves. If more than one seed germinates, cull the weaker plants by cutting them off at their base.

8. Fertilize the plants with commercial houseplant liquid fertilizer at 1/2 the concentration recommended on the package but at the normal frequency, usually once every 1 or 2 weeks.

9. Plant the peat pellets in a pot or in the soil once the seedling's roots begin to poke out of the peat pellet. Dig a hole in the ground or moistened soil in the pot that is the same size as the peat pellet. Plant the peat pellet so that the top of the pellet is even with the top of the soil. Water immediately after planting.

References

• Purdue Agriculture: Using Peat Pellets in Liquid Media to Root Sunflower Tissue Culture Plants
• University of Missouri Extension: Care of Flowering Potted Plants