Start More Seedlings in Less Space
The 98 Cell Plug Tray is a rigid seedling tray with 98 individual 1.34" (3.4 cm) cells arranged in a 7 x 14 grid. Each cell holds its own plug of soil, giving every seedling a defined root zone so roots grow down instead of tangling sideways into their neighbours.
Sized at 21.22" x 11", the tray works on the standard 1020 footprint. For the best fit, set it on our 1020 Microgreen Tray - No Holes: it sits flat and stable. At transplant time, compact plugs slide out clean with the root ball intact, so seedlings move to their final home with minimal root disturbance and less transplant shock.
Why Plug Cells Beat Open Flats
Individual root zones. Seedlings started in open flats grow into a shared root mat that has to be torn apart at transplant. Plug cells keep every root system separate, so each seedling comes out whole.
Cleaner, faster transplanting. Gently squeeze the sides of each cell to loosen the roots from the cell wall, then a light push from below releases the entire plug. No digging, no root tearing, no untangling.
Efficient use of space and soil. Each cell holds a compact plug, so a full tray of 98 starts uses about 4 L of soil or Seed Starting Mix. The whole tray occupies one 1020 footprint under your lights or on your bench.
Who It's For
The 98-cell format works for just about anything you start from seed: lettuce and greens, brassicas, onions and leeks, herbs, flowers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, even corn. It all comes down to timing. Quick croppers can go from cell straight to the garden, while larger or slower starts germinate here and pot up once roots fill the plug. Market gardeners and greenhouse growers use it for high-count succession sowing; home growers use it to start a full season of transplants on a single shelf.
How to Use
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Fill cells with pre-moistened seed-starting mix like our Seed Starting Mix and tap the tray to settle it. Each tray takes about 4 L of mix.
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Sow 1-2 seeds per cell at the depth the seed packet calls for.
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Set the plug tray on our 1020 Microgreen Tray - No Holes for a flat, stable base. For germination, cover with our 2" Vented Humidity Dome or 7" Vented Humidity Dome; both fit the standard 1020 footprint.
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Once seedlings have their first true leaves and roots hold the plug together, gently squeeze the sides of each cell to loosen the roots from the cell wall, then push up from the base to release the plug for transplanting or potting up.
Rinse out well before re-using the cell tray again in the future.
Specifications
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Cells: 98 (7 x 14 grid)
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Cell diameter (inside): 1.34" / 3.40 cm
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Length x width: 21.22" x 11.00" / 54.61 x 27.94 cm
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Height: 2.00" / 5.08 cm
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Capacity: 221.48 in³ (3.30 qt dry / 3.62 L liquid / approx. 4 L soil)
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Standard 1020 footprint; pairs with solid-bottom microgreen trays and humidity domes
Additional Tips
We find this plug tray sits flattest and sturdiest on our 1020 Microgreen Tray - No Holes. The solid bottom gives it stable, even support and catches any runoff.
Our Seed Starting Mix is designed to work excellently with plug trays. Its fine texture and small perlite, coconut coir, peat, and worm castings feed beneficial biology and hold the perfect moisture balance seeds need to germinate evenly and grow to their full potential.
