What is the difference between a tray, inserts, cell packs, and cells?
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A tray is a flat carrying container about 2" deep. They are commonly called 1020 trays because the dimensions are about 10" x 20." These trays are mostly used to carry full insert sheets, and are reusable from year-to-year. They come in 3 varieties; no-holes, with holes, and webbed "Daisy" trays.
To fully understand the way inserts are sized, i.e. 804 inserts, it is important to understand the distinction between inserts, cell paks, and cells.
Inserts are very thin plastic containers that are divided into multiple "cells." Each cell is essentially a mini-pot in which a seedling can be started. The arrangement of the cells varies depending ont the type of insert you purchase, but the full insert sheet is always the same size. The full sized sheet is about the same size as the 1020 trays. Cell number ranges from 18 to 72 and are, obviously, different sizes.
Cell Paks
Each insert is divided into sections by perforations. The insert can be broken into sections along these perforated lines. Each insert is different in the number of cell paks it has, and the number of cells within a cell pak.
Cells
Cells are the individual compartments of an insert. Each insert has a different number of cells, and cells within a cell pak.
Example:
804 inserts = 32 cells (8 cell paks per insert, 4 cells per cell pak)
1801 inserts = 18 cells (18 cell paks per insert, 1 cell per cell pak)
