Seedling Tray Plug Dislodgers

Seedling Tray Plug Dislodgers (also called poppers or pushers) are designed to quickly loosen/remove the plugs with little to no damage to the root systems, thus minimizing transplant failure. Following are three of the more common dislodging devices. (1) Metal sheet with cone-shaped spikes (Bootstrap Farmers): Designed for BF’ 72-, 128-, and 200-count trays only; placed directly over the sheet, as one pushes the tray down, the spikes push the plugs up. (2) Tubes with nail-shaped spikes (Gro-Mor): Can be used with six different cell-count trays (any make); one holds the tray with one hand and pushes the spikes into the cell’s drain holes, one row at a time. (3) Wheeled square table with hinged lid containing nail-shaped spikes (Antal/Cayson & Growing Systems): Accommodates all plug trays using a common frame; one places the tray on the four-bordered tabletop, closes the lid over the tray, steps on a foot treadle sinking the spikes into the plugs, then raises the lid to remove the loosened plugs from the cells.

Cost: Sheet type-$30; wand type-$60; table type-$1,000-$2,000

Limitations Addressed: Upper extremity