For several seasons, we have been faced with the constant problem of self-panning seeds by farmers and some dissatisfaction with the results. This is due to the fact that the majority of producers are superficially familiar with the technology of seed coating. Their whole performance is concluded in a simple scheme, they threw the seeds into the drum, added chalk with glue and "Voila!", the dragee is ready. From this unpretentious scheme it turns out: why are we paying so much money to seed companies for dragees? Let's go to the "homemade" save money! As a rule, they get burned on this, but with tenacity worthy of a better use they step on this rake again and again!
And so we will reveal more fully the professional technology for making dragees, using the example of a salad.
Stage 1 - seed preparation
Salad seeds with an energy of at least 95% are initially considered suitable for drageeing. Further, if the batch meets the specified parameters, a fine additional cleaning of the seeds is carried out, calibration (large seeds are on the dragee).
Stage 2 - seed treatment
This is not necessary, but, as a rule, in order to obtain friendly and vigorous seedlings, the seeds undergo priming (or bubbling in a high-osmosis solution) and soft drying at a temperature of about 18-20 degrees with dry air.
Stage 3 - seed coating
It consists in, in fact, seed coating with inert materials with adhesive and stimulating additives, then in calibration to remove too large and too small. Small dragees go to the “dock”, large ones are removed.
Stage 4 - dragee drying and quality control
Ready-made dragees are subjected to soft drying at a temperature of 20-22 degrees with a powerful stream of dried air. The seeds are then calibrated again to remove crushed pellets. The last stage is a germination test when sowing in the ground, a crushing test and a check for the number of pacifiers. In the event that the party passes in all respects, it goes on sale.
Stage 5 - packing seeds
Ready seeds are packaged and sent to the customer in thermal packaging that protects the dragee from temperature fluctuations. Hence the high cost of seeds, because this is a complex technological process.
In general, such things from the "candochka" in the presence of only a pan and a dryer (with a drying temperature of about 40 degrees and above) are not solved. Hence, such unstable results for dragees made in Russia and their complete inability to store.