What is a pelleted seed ?
What is a pelleted seed ? A few weeks ago someone asked me about pelleted seeds and if I would created some seed combinations so I thought it best to explain what they are. Over the several years, innovations in seed production and packing have succeeded in easing the daily tasks of the farmer. One of the modernizations I personally find the most useful is pelleted seed. I utilize pelleted seed every day in the early spring during the high season of sowings; I find it increases my efficiency, and even my enjoyment of the task. I find I buy pelleted seed mostly when it comes to lettuce.
WHAT TYPE OF SEEDS ARE PELLETED
Occasionally extremely small seed such as Petunias and Pentas, lettuce, rosemary are shipped as pelleted seed to make them easier to handle and sow. Pelleted seed are coated with an inert clay-like substance to make them larger in size. Pelleted seeds are shipped in vials placed inside seed packets, which protects them from being crushed. After sowing, the coating will absorb water and the seed will germinate, bursting through the softened coat. When sowing, make sure to get the seeds firmly nested in very moist soil. This will ensure that the clay coating absorbs enough moisture to soften and let the seed germinate. Misting the seeds with water after you sow will help to ensure that there is enough moisture to dissolve the seed coating.
After sowing, the coating will absorb water and the seed will germinate, bursting through the softened coat. When sowing, make sure to get the seeds firmly nested in very moist soil. This will ensure that the clay coating absorbs enough moisture to soften and let the seed germinate. Misting the seeds with water after you sow will help to ensure that there is enough moisture to dissolve the seed coating. Always follow the specific sowing instructions on your seed packet. For example, when sowing pelleted Petunia seeds, place the seeds directly on the soil surface and do not cover with soil, as light aids in the germination.
WHAT’S THE DOWNSIDE?
While pelleting offers many advantages, the process and nature of pelleting may shorten the shelf life of the seed. We recommend using pelleted seed within one year of purchase. If you need to store pelleted seeds until planting, protect them from heat and humidity in a cool, dark, dry place. If you prefer to store your seed in the refrigerator, place the seed in an air-tight container to protect it from fluctuations in humidity.
WHY DO I LIKE THEM
We growing vegetables has many ups and down and most you know I am newer to farming so my lack of knowledge allows for me to ask the most interesting questions. For example I purchased pelleted seed for the first time on accident. I had placed and order and one the thing I ordered was rosemary. When I saw a tube filled with seeds I didn’t know what I did wrong. I did a little research and got some awesome rosemary.Once I discovered that they also make pelleted seeds with a combo of several different leafy greens I was hooked.
