- Used trays should be cleaned thoroughly of all media and plant material using plain water only. Trays should be allowed to dry after washing.
- Trays should be sanitized with steam using a temperature of 176 degrees F for 30 minutes. Use of any tray cleaning solutions should be avoided. Such solutions are not considered to be effective in sterilizing trays and may leave a residue that can injure small seedlings the following year.
- Sterilized trays should be stored in a location that prevents them from being exposed unwanted chemical drift.
- Discard trays if black root rot has been observed or the tray is suspected of being a source of tobacco mosaic virus. No sanitation process will control this disease. Once a tray is known to be a source of either of these diseases, it should be disposed of properly.
- The life expectancy of a Styrofoam tray is 5 to 7 years. Old trays can be the source of tobacco diseases such as collar rot and pythium and should be evaluated each year for the following season. The Pitt County landfill is a recommended option for proper
Proper Tobacco Greenhouse Tray Storage
(Updated: May 15, 2024, 5:35 a.m.)
Now that transplanting has been completed, it is time to take the steps to properly store greenhouse trays until next season. Taking the proper steps will extend the life of trays and make them ready for seeding for next season. Listed below are some points to consider related to proper tray sanitation and storage.
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