seed trays

[NatalieCooke]

I was going to sown some flower seeds today. I have some 25cm seed trays. Would I be able to grow two different seeds in one seed tray? I was thinking about placing a piece of plastic down the middle of the trays.
I was going growing
Lavender Munstead Strain
Dahlia Pompon
Geranium mixed
Nicotiana Roulette Mixed
Cleome Fountain

Cheers for any replies.

[FlawlessVictory]

I can't see why not as long as you don't mix them up! That has got to be the worst thing.. I map all of my modules on a spreadsheet and put a marker inside so that if they are rotated I always know which side is which!

[rustylady]

Must admit I hate seed trays. Much prefer pots or modules.

[NatalieCooke]

I've also got a propagation set with 40 cell insert. Would that be easier to use. The back of the seed pack says to cover with glass but would the plastic lid be ok?

Plus how mamy seeds in each cell?

[rustylady]

Are your propagators heated Natalie, or just the ones with a plastic cover that sit on a windowsill?

[Two_Sheds]

When growing tender plants, realise they can't go outside until May: where are you going to keep them until then ?

[NatalieCooke]

Rustylady: No it's not a heated propagators its just a plastic windowsill one.

Two Sheds: I did realise they couldn't go out for a while. Until may time i'd be keeping them in the spare bedrooms. Temp is aboout 17 degrees.

[Alison]

You can grow what you want in mixed trays but you need to label well and be aware that they will probably germinate at different rates so ideally come out the propagator at different times. I prefer small modules as you have much better control and only really use trays to hold the modules.

Re keeping inside, just make sure you can provide sufficient light for those temperatures as you run the danger of soft leggy plants. When do the instructions suggest you sow, seems on the early side.

[Kristen]

Would I be able to grow two different seeds in one seed tray?

The problem is in pricking them out, particularly if one germinates more quickly than the other, and needs pricking out sooner as a result.

I try to only grow two varieties, of the same plant, in the same seed tray - not two different types of plant.

You could use pots, but IME they are too deep (hold too much water, relative to the root structure of the seedlings, and therefore (most especially for a Newbie) are more likely to be over watered. There are pots known as "pans" which are basically shallow pots, they are more suitable IMHO. Perhaps you have something lying around that is not as deep as a pot, and not as large as a seed tray, which you could use? Something yoghurt came in, or similar?

[NatalieCooke]

The propagater is like this Wilko Seed Tray Black 40 Inserts 3pk at wilko.com only with a clear plastic lid.

I've double check the packs the Geranium says to sown from Jan to March.
Everything else Feb onwards.

Would i be better of buying a seedling cell tray?

[Bigmallly]

The link is showing the modules Nat.

[NatalieCooke]

The link is showing the modules Nat.

That what I have (with a lid) as well as the seed trays but I thought they would be better as i could get each plant out. Whilst i was looking am came arcoss these. https://www.quickcrop.co.uk/product/...nt-tray-3-pack

[Scarlet]

I've grown geranium from seeds, they need to go in early as they grow very slowly. I've just started off rudbeckia, flowers seem to take much longer than veg seeds to germinate.
If you have the plastic lids with the 40 cell inserts you could use a small pinch of seeds in each.
I use the trays in your last link with 80+ cells in a tray. I had mine for 10p each/ used from a nursery.
I wouldn't spend that much on them.

[veggiechicken]

I have some of those 84 module trays - mine were even cheaper than Scarlet 's- free at a seedswap However, I found them too large to handle when full and have cut them down into gravel tray (large seed tray) size.
I try not to sow different types of seed in the same tray as I'm not the best at labelling so I use this sort of thing https://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/Seed_Tray_Insert/
When you buy a "strip" of veg seedlings they come in these. Remaindered plants in DIY stores and garden centres can be worth buying just for the pots and trays they're planted into.

[NatalieCooke]

Thanks ladies! Maybe the other half might be kind enough to take me to the local nursery at the weekend,