Choosing the right germination tray defines cultivation success from day one: the cell geometry (or lack thereof) determines whether roots develop into a mat for block harvesting or individual root balls for transplanting. Gardese offers two fundamental formats designed for different scenarios: hydroponic fodder and microgreens versus professional nursery with transplant seedlings. This comparison helps you decide which fits your production.
🎯 Choose in 10 seconds
- If you produce hydroponic fodder (HF), microgreens, or sprouts in a mat: go to Hydroponic Tray
- If you do professional nursery with seedlings for field or greenhouse transplant: go to Horticultural and Ornamental Tray
What to consider before choosing
Before buying trays, evaluate these four criteria. They define whether the crop will yield the expected performance or be lost due to uneven germination or root rot.
- Expected harvest type: for hydroponic fodder (HF), microgreens, and sprouts harvested as a single piece with a root mat, you need a smooth tray without cells. For seedlings individually transplanted to the field, large pots, or larger hydroponic systems, you need a tray with cells that form individual root balls.
- Species and growth rate: short-cycle vegetables (lettuce, leafy greens) and small species work well in 200-288 cell trays. Medium vegetables (tomato, pepper, eggplant) in 128 cells. Cuttings and ornamentals with extended tray time, in 72 cells with a larger root ball.
- Drainage and fungal prevention: trays with cells require calibrated drainage per cell to evacuate excess irrigation without losing substrate; damping-off, collar rot, and root rot typical of mass germination are prevented with this feature.
- Sun exposure and lifespan: both Gardese trays incorporate UV treatment in the resin, an essential condition for Caribbean greenhouses and full sun production; without UV additive, the plastic becomes brittle and breaks after a few seasons.
Plastic Hydroponic Tray: Smooth Surface for Block Harvesting
- Smooth, cell-free surface for continuous root mat
- Virgin plastic resistant to nutrient solutions and salts
- UV treatment for outdoor and greenhouse use
- Light stacking to optimize storage space
- Not suitable for individual seedling production for transplanting
- Only a single format in a box of 180 units
Box of 180 hydroponic trays. The flat, cell-free geometry allows for the development of a continuous root mat that is harvested as a single piece, a critical condition for HF and microgreens where block harvesting optimizes time and production. Designed for the production of corn, barley, wheat, and oat HF for livestock feed, microgreens for fine dining, initial mass germination before transplanting, and intensive urban agriculture projects.
Plastic Horticultural and Ornamental Tray: Cells for Transplant Seedlings
- Four cell formats (72, 128, 200, and 288 cells)
- UV treatment integrated into the resin
- Calibrated drainage per cell to prevent fungi
- Conical root ball geometry for clean extraction with root ball
- Individual seedling harvest (not suitable for HF or microgreens)
- The number of cells must match the species to be cultivated
Germination tray with cells in four configurations, in boxes of 140-160 units depending on the format. The 72-cell tray works with cuttings and ornamental plants with extended tray time; the 128-cell with medium vegetables (tomato, pepper, eggplant); the 200 and 288-cell with short-cycle vegetables (lettuce, leafy greens). The conical cell facilitates directed root development and clean extraction with an intact root ball, a key condition for successful transplanting to open field, greenhouse, or large pots.
Comparison table
| Feature | Hydroponic | Horticultural and ornamental |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal use | HF, microgreens, mass germination | Individual seedlings for transplanting |
| Geometry | Smooth, cell-free | With conical cells |
| Harvest | In block (root mat) | Individual (intact root ball) |
| Available formats | Single | 72, 128, 200 or 288 cells |
| UV treatment | Yes — outdoor and greenhouse use | Yes — outdoor and greenhouse use |
| Calibrated drainage | — | Yes, per cell |
| Chemical resistance | Nutrient solutions and salts | Wet substrate and fertigation |
| Presentation | Box of 180 trays | Box of 140 or 160 trays depending on format |
Use case matrix → recommended product
| If your case is… | Recommended product |
|---|---|
| Producing barley or oat HF for livestock | → Hydroponic |
| Growing microgreens for gourmet restaurants and supermarkets | → Hydroponic |
| Ornamental plant cuttings with extended tray time | → Horticultural 72 cells |
| Tomato, pepper, or eggplant seedlings for greenhouse | → Horticultural 128 cells |
| Lettuce or leafy green seedlings for open field | → Horticultural 200 or 288 cells |
| Initial mass germination before transplanting to hydroponic system | → Hydroponic |
| Commercial nursery with serial production of vegetables | → Horticultural and ornamental |
| Producing grass for poultry or horse feed | → Hydroponic |
Before buying trays, define two things: the crop's destination (block harvest for consumption or individual field transplant) and the species' cycle. A fast vegetable in a 72-cell tray wastes space and substrate; a long-cycle ornamental plant in a 288-cell tray grows stunted due to lack of root space. The practical rule: the faster the growth rate and smaller the final size, the more cells per tray.
Do not reuse horticultural trays with substrate without disinfecting between cycles. Collar rot fungi (Pythium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia) survive in substrate residues and spread to the next germination, causing massive damping-off. Washing with pressurized water and disinfecting with a 1-2% hypochlorite solution before each cycle is standard practice in professional nurseries.
Don't know which tray your crop needs?
If you work with several species or have doubts about the appropriate format for your system (HF, hydroponics, commercial nursery, landscaping), ask the virtual assistant with details of the species, crop cycle, and destination. You will receive an instant technical recommendation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the hydroponic tray to germinate tomato seedlings?
It is possible for the initial germination phase, but since it doesn't have cells, the roots form a continuous mat that is difficult to separate for individual transplanting. If you are transplanting tomatoes to a field or greenhouse, use the 128-cell horticultural tray: the conical root ball facilitates clean extraction with intact roots.
Which cell count should I choose for my crop?
The rule is proportional to the size and life cycle of the species. 72 cells for cuttings and ornamentals with a prolonged cycle; 128 for medium horticultural crops (tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, zucchini); 200 for small horticultural crops and leafy plants with an intermediate cycle; 288 for lettuce, small brassicas, and very short-cycle species.
Is the hydroponic tray suitable for microgreens for human consumption?
Yes, it is the standard format for the production of microgreens and sprouts destined for haute cuisine, gourmet supermarkets, and home consumption. The smooth surface allows for harvesting the entire block with scissors or a knife, keeping the piece intact. For sanitary food safety audits, wash and disinfect the tray between cycles.