Flower plugs are young seedlings produced by planting flower seeds in a tray with cells. The cells are small individual compartments that are designed to hold one seed each. Flower plugs germinate under protected conditions inside or in a greenhouse.
How do you plant flower plugs?
Plant plugs to a depth that allows the plant's crown to lie at soil level. Backfill soil between the plug and the hole. Water in plugs immediately after installation to fill soil air holes around root systems.
What is a plug when buying plants?
Plug plants are seedlings which have been germinated and grown in trays of small cells. When the roots have grown sufficiently they can be easily pushed out of the trays and either transplanted into larger pots or planted outside in the ground.
When should I order flower plugs?
Instead of growing based on speculation, most of our seedling plugs are grown to order. This means that orders for an upcoming season are placed in advance through WebTrack or your Ball Seed sales representative. The ideal time to order is directly following the season in which a crop is sold.
Why do plants have plugs?
Plugs hold water to nourish the plant and encourage root growth. Many commercial nurseries, and Verdant Dwellings, then choose to pot the plants into peat moss as it has many benefits, one being that it has the same properties as plugs in regards to water retention.
Are plug plants worth buying?
Plug plants are an excellent and economic way to fill your garden with summer colour with the minimum of fuss. Seeds are cheaper to buy, but sowing and growing them successfully usually involves purchasing propagation equipment and germination can be hit and miss and pricking out tiny seedlings is a fussy job.
How long do plug plants take to flower?
What happens next? If you've ordered plug plants, they will often need to be potted on into pots of at least 7cm in diameter. It's advised that they are then grown on on the windowsill, or in a greenhouse, until they are well rounded plants. This will take around 4 weeks.
How much do flower plugs cost?
You can save a lot by planting plugs In our area, most plugs cost about $2.50 retail while 1 Gallon perennials average about 4 times that. Plugs are smaller plants but by next year they will be as big as the 1 gallons and you will have saved a bunch.
What is the difference between a plug and a liner?
Plugs are young plants, usually grown from seed. What are liners? Liners are young plants, usually grown from cuttings or tissue culture.
What is a perennial plug?
Both are starter plants grown in flats with multiple cells or small pots that hold the young plants. A Plug is grown from seed, a Liner is grown for a rooted cutting. Plug and Liner are often used interchangeably for both annuals and perennials.
How long do plant plugs take to grow?
Standard plugs come next and require potting and growing on for a month or so if you want to use them as filler plants for beds and containers. Garden-ready plugs can be planted out straight away, if it's warm enough, but can also be grown on for a few weeks in a large pot, for sturdier roots.
How do you transplant a plug?
Poke your finger into the soil to the depth of the flower plug's root ball. Pinch the bottom of the cell to remove the plug from its container. Drop the root ball into the hole and gently firm the soil around the flower plug. Space the plugs out according to the variety of flower.
What are plugs from seeds?
A plug is a young plant grown in large quantities that's started either from seed or a cutting.
What is a plug size plant?
Plugs refer to small containers, typically attached to one another to form trays, and are used in the early development stage of growing out plants. This size plug is 2” x 2” across, and 5” deep.
What is a plant starter plug?
A starter plug, or starter plant plug, can be defined as a small, compact mass or sample of a solid growing medium that is used mainly for seed germination and rooting cuttings. Gardeners can add their seeds or cuttings to empty plant plugs, or they can purchase plugs that already contain seeds.
What is an orchid plug?
An orchid plug is a wrapping made of peat moss or coconut fiber mixed with sphagnum moss that is wrapped around the roots of young seedling orchid plants. The plug is specially made to protect the very thing, young roots as well as provide frequent airflow and retain moisture.
How do you take care of a plant plug?
Plugs and liners require fresh air and should be kept in a well-ventilated and well-lit area that is free of cold drafts for about 24 hours after arrival. Keep out of direct sun and keep a close watch on moisture. Plugs can dry out rapidly when exposed to wind and sun.
What is surplus seedling plug?
Surplus seedling plugs are just that, extra trays from our weekly production cycles. During production we grow extra "buffer" trays that we use to fix any plugs that didn't germinate. After fixing trays to 100% full, we are sometimes left with extra, complete trays beyond what was originally ordered. We then post a listing of these items to WebTrack to be purchased by Ball Seed customers.
What is the number to call for partial seedling trays?
Partial Seedling Trays. NOTE: DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) SITUATION, please call 800-447-3760 to schedule your visit. Along with the above surplus plug trays, we are also sometimes left with trays that are only partially full of plugs.
What plugs are ready to go into the field?
Snapdragon and rudbeckia plugs ready to go into the field.
Where to begin as a flower farmer?
Flowers have to come from somewhere! It can be difficult to decide which plants to start from seed and which plants to buy as plugs. A plug is a young plant grown in large quantities that’s started either from seed or a cutting. In this article, I’m going to highlight pros and cons for both. I will also talk about how your unique situation factors into this decision.
When do pink flowers appear in a rock garden?
This forms a very low, creeping mat of tiny, bright silvery-grey leaves. Short stems of fuzzy pink flowers appear in late spring. Perfect for the sunny rock garden, as a small groundcover, or for between paving stones.
Is Oriental Limelight a good companion for a garden?
A tall grower that¹s great in beds, borders, and large containers. The mounding, self-branching habit makes Oriental Limelight an ideal companion for many flowering plants. Variegated lemon yellow and green foliage.
Can pink cats grow in containers?
Pink Cat works well in containers as well as in your perennial border . Compact, heat tolerant, and easy to grow with aromatic leaves.
