Producing hydroponic green fodder for animal feed, high-nutritional-density microgreens for human consumption, or massive germination with a dense root mat for harvesting as a single piece, requires a smooth, cell-free tray with chemical resistance to nutrient solutions and prolonged solar radiation. This plastic hydroponic tray—also called a fodder tray, microgreens tray, or HGF tray—is manufactured by Gardese from virgin plastic resistant to UV and nutrient solutions, in boxes of 180 units, designed for the production of hydroponic green fodder, microgreens, massive germination, and intensive urban agriculture projects.
Key Benefits
- Smooth, cell-free surface for root mat: the geometry allows for the development of a continuous root mat that is harvested as a single piece, a critical condition for hydroponic green fodder (HGF) and microgreens where block harvesting optimizes time and production.
- Virgin plastic resistant to nutrient solutions: the material withstands continuous exposure to soluble fertilizers, salts, and chemical additives used in hydroponics without structural degradation or transfer of compounds to the crop.
- UV treatment for outdoor use: the additive protects against prolonged solar radiation in the Caribbean, preventing the embrittlement and cracking suffered by conventional trays without protection.
- Light stacking for logistical management: the geometry allows empty trays to nest, optimizing warehouse space; with product loaded, they stack on shelves or growing racks while maintaining ventilation.
- Continuous surface hygiene: the absence of cells eliminates accumulation points for organic waste, allowing for pressure washing and disinfection between cycles to prevent cross-contamination.
Applications and typical uses
- Production of hydroponic green fodder (HGF) from corn, barley, wheat, and oats for feeding cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry.
- Cultivation of microgreens and sprouts for haute cuisine, restaurants, gourmet supermarkets, and home consumption.
- Mass germination of seeds for initial production before transplanting to the field, nursery, or larger hydroponic system.
- Base tray for pots in growing racks and intensive urban agriculture projects.
Quality and durability
An inexpensive hydroponic tray fails in two ways: the plastic is low-density recycled (which deforms with the weight of saturated substrate and roots, losing geometry) and lacks adequate UV additive (which causes embrittlement and cracking after a few seasons). Gardese uses UV-stable virgin plastic, which distinguishes a continuous professional production tray from a generic tray that breaks after the first intensive cycle.
Which crops perform best in this cell-less tray?
Crops aimed at producing a root mat or dense vegetation harvested as a single piece: sprouted fodder (FVH) of corn, barley, wheat, oats for animal feed; microgreens (sunflower, radish, broccoli, mustard, cilantro) for human consumption; ornamental grass for instant lawn carpets. It also serves as an initial germination tray before transferring seedlings to individual cells or larger pots. The smooth, continuous surface allows uniform flood irrigation without localized buildup.
Can it be used outdoors under continuous Caribbean sun?
Yes, with limitations. The plastic is built with UV treatment to withstand direct Caribbean exposure without becoming brittle in a few cycles, but the crop itself (sprouted fodder, microgreens) suffers stress from intense direct radiation: leaves burn, transpiration spikes and the root mat loses quality. To maximize crop yield, operate under shade cloth (50-70% in the Dominican Republic), greenhouse with diffuser plastic, or in indoor controlled systems. The tray as a piece does withstand sun; the crop on top needs partial shade.
Is it compatible with automatic hydroponic irrigation systems?
Yes — fully compatible with the usual systems: high-pressure misting for microgreens and initial germination, low-pressure micro-sprinkler for sprouted hydroponic fodder, flood and drain in intensive cultivation racks, and manual watering with watering can or low-pressure hose for small-scale production. The smooth surface allows uniform distribution of nutrient solution and efficient gravity drainage by tilting the tray at the end of the irrigation cycle. It fits standard metal and plastic shelves.
Still have questions?
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| Box: Width | 29.0 cm (11.42 in) |
|---|---|
| Box: Height | 55.0 cm (21.65 in) |
| Box: Depth | 46.0 cm (18.11 in) |
| Box: Weight | 27.0 kg |
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