Love munching on eggs? What if we told you that the trays of these amazing sources of protein make perfect planters! Read on to learn more!
Eggs make a scrumptious meal in many forms: boiled, fried, or scrambled. Not only that, but their shells can be used as an effective fertilizer. But there’s one aspect of egg-shopping most people neglect in gardening – their tray! Here’s a smart trick to grow succulents in this unorthodox container!
What is Required for the Egg Tray Hack?
This egg-tray hack is very simple and doesn’t call for much hassle.
- Egg Tray: You’ll need a sturdy egg tray that hasn’t been damaged, bent, or turned soggy. Both cardboard and plastic ones work perfectly.
- Succulent-Friendly Potting Mix: Of course, your succulents won’t root directly into the tray, hence you will need a suitable substrate that will provide the right nutrition, drainage, and meet the other needs of your plant.
- Right Variety of Succulents: Since we are using the egg tray to grow not one but multiple succulents, you will have to choose the right ones. It is necessary that these plants are naturally petite and do not grow fast or require too much space. Living stones, certain echeverias, and haworthias fit well into the criteria.
Smart Trick to Grow Succulents in an Egg Tray
Now that you know the basic requirements to make this quirky container. You can begin!
1. Preparing the Egg Tray
First and foremost, the egg tray is technically a pot designed to house multiple succulents simultaneously in each of its compartments. Ensure that it is sturdy enough to bear their weight along with the load of soil, water, and fertilizers. You also need to inspect for cracks, holes, and other damage through which the substrate, water, or roots of your succulent may leak out.
Despite its unorthodox form, it is a container for plants that hate stagnant water. Therefore, drill or poke a few holes in each egg slot. This will allow free seepage of excess water. You will be watering the soil often, so you must ensure that the container does not get too wet and invite rot, fungal infections, or other diseases.
2. Filling the Compartments
Now that your foundation is ready, you can start filling each compartment that previously stored eggs with the succulent-friendly substrate. You can even create your own potting mix by mixing sand, garden soil, and perlite or pumice in a 2:1:1 ratio.
Ensure that the soil is well-draining and suitable for your plant. Do not overfill the compartment, as this can make your succulent flop over later on. On the other hand, do not underfill it either, as your plant needs a minimum amount of soil to survive.
3. Planting the Succulents
It is best if you use cuttings for the propagation process. Starting from seeds (if any) can be cumbersome. Continue the planting process as usual. Plant the cutting in the center of the compartment, which will allow even root growth while also maintaining the aesthetic appeal.
Water the planting as and when required, but try to keep it slightly dry to make sure that the tray doesn’t get soggy or collapse. Care for the baby succulent as usual until it establishes in its new environment.
4. Optimal Sunlight Exposure
Due to the unusual appearance of the container, this may seem tricky, but it is not! Simply place the egg tray as you would with a regular pot. Depending on your succulent choice, an east-facing window should be good.
A pro tip for a wide container like this is to rotate it weekly by 90 degrees. This will ensure even sunlight distribution to each individual plant. Also, using grow lights from above will add to the growth pace and charm.
5. The Right Watering Cycle
This is a confusing aspect for most novice gardeners. Keep in mind that watering the plant usually can be detrimental. So what should you do? Thoroughly irrigate each soil section separately! Try to ensure that there is no pooling of water and the substrate is not too moist.
This can be hard on the first few tries, but once you understand the grey area, continue this cycle for each plant at the required time. Using a spray bottle can help if directly pouring water is leading to overwatering.
6. Pruning and Fertilization
Over a period of time, the succulents will grow to a sizeable amount. Here’s when you should ensure that they do not outgrow their individual section. Promptly prune any oversized bits from the plants.
Keep fertilization to a minimum as these small plants do not require much external supplementation, and there is a risk of quick salt buildup through the use of industrial fertilizers.
Key Points to Remember
- Plastic trays last longer as they don’t rot.
- Cut the tray into smaller sections if you don’t need all the slots.
- Always clean the tray before planting.
- Factors like temperature, humidity, and sunlight still affect growth—so be patient.
Like they say, one man’s waste is another man’s treasure. You now know how to turn kitchen garbage into a conversation-starting container. Tell us in the comments section which other creative ideas can make your garden stand out!
