The 72 cell size is adequate for smaller plants such as pansy, petunia, and nicotiana. Place the sheet of cells into a plastic greenhouse flat. To fill the cells in the flat, place the flat in a horizontal position on the rim of the large container of growing mix. Using one free hand, the mix is piled onto the cells by handfuls. Then the mix is evenly distributed by raking the growing mix with the hand or small piece of wood.
Excess material is raked back into the container.
Gentle pressure may be applied with the palm of the hand to ensure that voids are filled, but excessive compression should be avoided. The mix should still be fluffy and even with the top of the sheet of cells. A single planting depression or hole is made in each cell, prior to transplanting. These holes may be made with the index finger. Depth will depend somewhat on root structure dimensions of the transplants.