What kind of options are available to mechanize container filling?

摘要

Container filling is a labor intensive task that needs to be done correctly to get uniform size plants. Besides increasing the number of containers filled per hour, mechanizing this operation can provide an even fill, uniform compaction and a level top surface. Equipment is available that handles multiple size pots, separates the containers, inserts cell packs in trays/flats and dibbles the growing medium for sowing seed or sticking cuttings. Filling equipment should be adaptable to different growingmedia. Growing media typically contain peat, vermiculite, perlite, sand, bark, rice hulls, coir, fertilizer and lime. The equipment should be able to convey the media without separating the different components or altering the chemical makeup from container to container. The moisture content of each mix should be adjusted so that after containers are filled there is little settling of the medium.