Topic: How to expand peat pellets

[caroline7758]

I've just received one of these as a freebie with seeds, but there are no instructions:
http://www.dobies.co.uk/Garden/Special+Offers/12+Cell+Tray+Kit_586015.htm#586015

Can anyone tell me how much water I should put in to expand the pellets, please?

[Plot 18]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O89H07SjLb4

[ancellsfarmer]

All I would add is :
Stand to drain on old cake wire tray before you put into the plastic tray. Check they actually punched the drainage holes (along the lower sides). A stick biro tube is a good tool to deepen the centre hole, drop small seeds down, and use a similar biro with its hole cap in place just to firm the centre. Plantsmens wholesalers or commercial growers may be induced to "sell " you a hundred for a cheap price compared with yer Garden centre.

[caroline7758]

Thanks, both of you. As I usually go peat-free, would you suggest any particular veg or flowers that would benefit from the peat?

[ancellsfarmer]

Rather than having as a character , nutritional benefits, its ability to hold and release upon demand ,water is what makes it suitable as a growing medium. Almost any green plant benefits, with ph adjustment.
The choice to use or not , peat, is yours but it is a "political correctiveness" regarding whether you should. Possibly we should be laying down green waste in such quantities and conditions as to recreate peat for future generations , rather than hauling materials such as coir half way around the world. The carbon cycle is the key to this discussion.