Types and features of racks for growing seedlings

Almost every summer resident and gardener knows how much depends on ordinary seedlings, which must be properly and efficiently grown. To do this, of course, is better in indoor conditions. If the growing room is large, then you can easily place houses and a small greenhouse. Another question - what about those who live in a small apartment? To grow good seedlings, high-quality soil alone and regular watering are not enough, you also need to choose the right place for the plants that is comfortable. Most often it becomes a window sill, on which there is not much space. Therefore, the main task of the summer resident is the choice of a functional and comfortable rack that does not take up much space.

A rack is a structure consisting of several rows of shelves, fastened together by longitudinal and transverse ties.

Cases in which seedling racks are a must:

• plant racks with lighting - when plants do not have enough light on the windowsill;
• there is a lot of dirt from the seedling boxes on the windowsill;
• the window sill does not hold the required number of drawers.

Racks for growing seedlings of vegetables and other plants solve several problems at once:

• make it possible to create products with your own hands if you have minimal skills in working with tools;
• lack of lighting;
• thanks to the level arrangement of boxes with plants on the shelves, warm air circulates freely from the battery, which means that neither the soil nor the plants freeze or become waterlogged;
• saving space.

There are several varieties of seedling racks.

• Stationary or outdoor. This type of shelving is suitable for owners of large dwellings, in which there is a permanent place for furniture with large dimensions, where it will not interfere with everyday life. Typically, a stationary rack includes 4-5 illuminated shelves, which are located almost to the ceiling. The structure is attached not only to the floor, but also to the walls, as it implies a stable rack for large and heavy boxes with seedlings. Such shelves are both wooden and metal. Dimensions are determined individually and depend on how much space you are willing to allocate for this rack. When choosing this variety, you need to clearly understand that you regularly plan to use this bookcase and its cumbersomeness does not bother you.

• Collapsible. This type is the most convenient in its use, because:
  1. whatnot can be moved around the apartment;
  2. you can easily adjust the number of shelves used;
  3. you can use the rack only in the right season, for the rest of the time it should be disassembled and removed to a place where it will not interfere.

• Window or spacer. This type of rack has both pros and cons. The window shelf is installed on the window and is located from the window sill to the uppermost stop, which gives it special stability, but if necessary, you can easily remove it.This design most often includes a rack and no more than three shelves, the distance between which is about half a meter, since the main disadvantage of a window rack is its limitation both upward and in width. The frame can be made of any type - both collapsible and stationary.

• On the modern market not so long ago appeared on sale shelving unit with a special cover... You can build an identical structure with your own hands at home, but it is better to buy a finished product that is assembled using special equipment. This cover is usually made of agrofiber or film. It acts as a greenhouse, which is useful for plants that require certain temperature conditions. Also, thanks to this function, the rack can be installed even in a cool room.

Also, the racks can be divided into types according to the material from which the structure is made:

• the entire body is made of wood;
• the whole body is made of metal;
• a body made of wood, metal corners, tubes and profiles, any shelves;
• sewer PVC pipe for the case, fiberboard, plywood or glass for the manufacture of shelves;
• metal tubes and corners - frame, plywood - shelves;
• plastic.

The choice of material for manufacturing depends on various factors, but most often on your desire and financial capabilities. Each of the materials has a number of both positive and negative features. For example, you need to remember that a bookcase made of wood will quickly lose its appearance over time, which means that it will have to be constantly tinted. Racks with shelves made of plywood or chipboard / fiberboard will suffer very much from moisture, so they will have to be covered with a special film. A metal rack must be treated with special agents, as there is a risk of corrosion.

Recently, plastic shelves with built-in phytolamps have become popular. Such racks are popular due to the fact that the material for their manufacture is durable, it does not lend itself to rotting or corrosion, and the phytolamps built into the structure allow the seedlings to be stronger and healthier.

Today the market is filled with a huge variety of different models of racks for seedlings and plants, so it becomes important to choose a truly high-quality option that is ideal for your seedlings, and will also serve you a long time. Among the highest quality models, several options can be distinguished.

• Shelving unit "Hedera". The special design allows you to place it even on a narrow window sill, since you select the dimensions yourself when purchasing. "Hedera" has a number of advantages: in the depth of the window sill, the rack takes only a quarter of a meter, it is very easy and quick to disassemble, which allows you to remove its frame for certain seasons of the year where you need it. The shelves are arranged in a ladder so that the boxes with seedlings do not interfere with each other. Also, this bookcase has an attached phyto-light and special trays that do not allow excess moisture from watering plants to spoil the window sill.
• Klever S company specializes in the creation of greenhouse racks with a height of 4 or 5 shelves. The products are distinguished by the quality of materials, the quality of work and a large number of positive reviews. The design is practical, plastic and a special greenhouse film are used as materials, which creates the necessary temperature conditions inside the rack. The design also includes special lamps for lighting and heating plants.

• "Unique". Metal racks for plants and seedlings from this manufacturer are distinguished by their functionality and comfort in use. The design is compact and even fits on a small window sill, a rack from the type of collapsible, which means that it is possible to remove it in parts. The structure includes metal legs and ties, as well as 3 thin metal shelves.
• "Fito-Pro-6" - stationary, but compact enough rack with 3 shelves and phyto-lighting. Powerful LED lamps are included in the kit and are removable, thanks to which the seedlings grow much faster.
• FS-800. Small stationary shelving unit with plastic pallets and light. This shelf includes 3 shelves, each of which is illuminated with special lamps.

When choosing a suitable seedling rack, all conditions must be taken into account:

• the space that you are ready to allocate for the structure;
• the degree of natural light in the place where the seedlings will be grown;
• safety conditions - if there are any risks that the rack may fall, in this case, it is by no means possible to choose the option with glass shelves;
• the temperature conditions of the room and required for the normal growth and development of the type of plant that you plan to grow.

Of all these factors, difficulties can most likely arise with only one. You can easily measure the space, take into account external risks, the necessary temperature conditions can also be easily read on the packaging of seeds and, if necessary, measure with a thermometer whether they correspond to the real ones, and if necessary, simply purchase a rack with a special film, but with lighting everything more difficult. Do you need to illuminate the seedlings with artificial light? You can solve this question only on personal mistakes.

Usually, seedlings begin to grow already at the end of winter, so that by the beginning of the summer season, the new plants are strong and ready for transplanting into the ground. At this time, the plants absolutely do not have enough natural light, since the daylight hours are short. The lack of light and needs to be compensated for by artificial lighting, that is, with the help of special lamps, which modern manufacturers are increasingly trying to build into racks for growing seedlings. Usually these shelves are built in:

• sodium lamps;
• fluorescent lamps;
• incandescent lamps (most often installed in greenhouse racks to create the desired temperature);
• phytolamps and LED lamps.

It is with the latest lamps that the racks should be chosen, since such lighting is the most optimal and allows the seedlings to grow strong, and not frail and sluggish. However, it should be borne in mind that phytolamps are unsafe for humans and they must be used indoors without being present in it.

After you have already done all the calculations and purchased the rack you need, you should take care of its correct operation, since the quality of growing seedlings depends on this, as well as the terms of use of the rack.

It is necessary to take into account all the features of the materials from which the structure is made. For example, when using racks made of metal, wood and plywood, you need to be careful with watering plants, since it is these materials that are unstable to moisture and can succumb to the process of destruction. There is a solution to this problem - you just need to cover the whatnot with special moisture-repellent and anti-corrosion substances.

You also need to make sure that animals and small children have minimal access to the shelves with plants, since there is a risk of falling boxes with seedlings or even the shelves themselves (if they are not stationary) by negligence.

Thus, it can be understood that the choice and purchase of a rack for seedlings and plants is a very important and responsible matter. It is necessary to take into account all the features of the materials of construction, the room where the rack will be installed, as well as the requirements of the plants themselves. By choosing the right rack, in the future you will get good and strong seedlings, which means a good harvest.

See the next video for more details.