Seed Sowing Guide for Jiffy Pellets

See also - Vegetable Planting Guide by Gardening Australia

Introduction

Compressed Jiffy® pellets provide a practical, convenient and cost-effective option for the propagation of wide range of common plant seedlings. Jiffy® pellets are ideal for producing compact, uniform and hardy seedlings with improved germination and transplanting, as result of superior traits of the medium including improved, i) water holding capacity, ii) air-filled porosity, and iii) pH & nutritional balance.

In order to ensure you get the very best out of your seeds, we’ve prepared this brief guide outlining how to use and make the most of Jiffy® pellets during seed propagation.

Materials

The useful items for the effective use of Jiffy® pellets includes the following items (click the links to view the product pages):

• Jiffy® Pellets - available in a range of sizes, provides suitable substrate for seed germination and growth
• Tray for Jiffy® Pellets - to house expanded Jiffy® Pellets during seed germination
• seed Jump-Starter™ - improves germination by stimulating biochemical pathways
• GP Horticultural Vermiculite - to cover seeds and ensure optimal surface moisture retention
• seed Es-Tab™ Fertiliser - slow release fertiliser with organics to be used at transplanting
• Aquasol® Soluble Fertiliser - to provide readily available nutrition for young seedlings whilst in Jiffy® pellets

3 Easy Steps

Step 1 - Preparing Seeds for Sowing

• Ensure any pre-treatments such as soaking, scarifying (scratching seed coat) or stratification (cold treatment) is performed as per the seed sowing instructions (provided free with all seeds supplied by The Climbing Fig™).
• Spread seeds on a piece of paper in a sheltered area and apply light spray of seed Jump-Starter™. For large seeds, turn seeds over after 5 - 10 minutes and apply second spray. For pelletised seeds, do not spray before planting, instead, spray seeds after planting but before covering.
• Allow 10 - 15 minutes for seeds to air dry, before handling and/or planting.

Step 2 - Preparing Jiffy® Pellets for Sowing

Place Jiffy® pellets into plastic tray ensuring the pellet net opening (the side without a knot) is facing upwards. Give tray gentle spray of water for a couple of minutes until the Jiffy® pellets have expanded fully and cannot absorb any additional water.
• Allow excess water from tray to drain for 5 minutes before sowing seeds.
• For best results, only soak the number of Jiffy® pellets required for immediate sowing, as the soaking process dissolves nutrients and triggers decomposition of the organic matter within the pellets.

Step 3 - Sowing Seeds into Jiffy® Pellets

• Refer to the seed sowing instructions provided with all seeds supplied by The Climbing Fig™, to determine optimal seed sowing method and depth.
• Use a pencil to make a small hole at the top of each Jiffy® pellet.
• Sow seeds into hole. For small seeds, consider sowing multiple seeds.
• Whilst seeds are still exposed, spray seeds with seed Jump-Starter™.
• Push sides of hole to cover seed and lightly sprinkle with GP Vermiculite.
• Water Jiffy® pellets gently with light spray of water, avoiding splashing.

Additional Information

Useful Tips

• Watering - it is important to keep the Jiffy® pellets moist, avoiding excessive moisture is as important as avoiding drying out as this can be fatal during critical germination phases. It is generally best to let the Jiffy® pellets soak water from the bottom and provide only a light spray of water on the surface.
• Humidity - in order to ensure optimal moisture retention during the first 3 - 7 days after sowing, the tray can be placed into container with higher sides than the tray and then covered with cling-wrap.
• Fertilisation - Approximately 7-10 days after the first seedling has emerged, mix a pinch (0.5g) of Aquasol® into 300ml of water and soak base of Jiffy® pellets. Also apply fortnightly applications of seed Jump-Starter™.

Conditions of Use

• This guide is provided for general information purposes only.
• Whilst due care and attention has been taken in the preparation of this guide, The Climbing Fig™, its parent company and its partners and its affiliates do not accept any responsibility for loss or damage as a result of reliance on this guide as it is provided on a “good-faith” basis only.
• Jiffy® is registered trademark of Jiffy Products International B.V. and is used only to describe the relevant pellet products.
• Aquasol® is a registered trademark of DuluxGroup (Australia) Pty Ltd and is only used to describe the relevant fertiliser product.