Utilizing vegetable propagation trays for hemp

Hemp acreage has exploded in 2019 as growers look to capitalize on this relatively recently legalized and lucrative crop. Many vegetable growers are also moving into the hemp market, as quite often the seeding and growing times for the vegetables and hemp don’t overlap. This means there are a lot of growers looking for the right tray – but they could have the trays they need already!

Hemp will grow in most locations in a tray that is up to about 75 plants per square foot. This can sometimes be even 100 plants per square foot or more with the right location, setup and care, but we would advise plenty of trials first. This means that something like a Proptek 162 cell tray (26x13” outer dimension) would be perfect – you can grow tomatoes in it at the start of the season, wash and sterilize the trays, then seed hemp around April time once they have shipped out. Additionally, 1020 trays also can work great with care, if that’s what you are currently set up to use.

If you are looking to start a brand-new hemp nursery, you don’t have to waste money buying a large cell container. A hemp plant will start life nicely in a 2”-3” deep vegetable tray. If you use a tough, injection molded tray, these will see you through many years of good service and save you lots of money over the long term. This will ensure you get as many plants into your growing space as possible, to maximize your return on investment. If you are growing plants on to cultivate in a greenhouse, these plants can be very easily pulled and transplanted into bigger pots and containers without damaging or hurting the plant.

Proptek vegetable trays feature air pruning holes in the base, and root training ribs down the insides of the cells. This creates a non-circled root-ball packed full of young, and vigorous roots that give the hemp plant a huge advantage once planted out.

Growers can find out more about your options at proptek.com/hemp