Healthy and strong seedlings are a prerequisite for obtaining a decent crop of tomatoes, in this case there are no trifles. In regions with long winters, it is impossible to grow this vegetable by sowing seeds in the ground. When to plant tomatoes for seedlings is a very significant issue.
The first seedlings of tomatoes begin to be sown at the end of winter, early seedlings can be obtained by sowing seeds in February.
Ripening speed and number of fruits depend not only on the characteristics of the variety, but also on the technology of seed treatment. Different methods of seed preparation “start” different processes in them: they increase the permeability of the protective shell, trigger biochemical processes, awaken the seed germ, etc. For this reason, changing the order of operations can harm seeds instead of good.
The main requirement in the preparation of seed - you cannot use different methods of preparation at the same time, this worsens their germination.
"Folk" way of preparation
First of all, the seed is disinfected, it is easier to process the seeds in a potassium permanganate solution for 20-30 minutes. Then I spread them on a damp cloth, laid out on a small plate, cover with plastic wrap and keep it in a warm place until seedlings appear.
Effective seed preparation technology
Within 25 minutes, the seeds are treated with high temperature (50 degrees) after which they are cooled in water at room temperature. Then the seeds are soaked for a day in the Epina solution (2 drops of the substance are diluted in half a glass of water). Instead of Epina, you can treat the seeds with a Zircon solution (1 drop of the substance is diluted in a glass of water) soaked for 16-18 hours.
To activate the seeds, many gardeners use such compositions as "Bud", "Barrier", "Ideal", "Stimulus", "Epin-Extra", "Gumi", processing is carried out according to the scheme described in the preparation's instructions. Seeds respond well to soaking in the infusion of the halls (2 tablespoons per 1000 ml of hot water) or in slurry (prepare a solution at a concentration of 1:10).
• seeds are kept for 24 hours in a solution of 1 g of table salt per glass of water - this preparation stimulates the formation of inflorescences and speeds up fruiting;
• seeds are kept for 1-2 days in an aqueous solution of aloe juice (concentration of 1: 1), it can be squeezed out of aloe leaves on its own or buy the drug in a store. After this treatment, seed germination is improved, immunity is increased in seedlings, the quality of fruits is improved and the amount of yield is increased.
What to do with purchased seeds?
Varietal and hybrid seed, sold in stores already treated against diseases and pests. For this reason, carefully read the information on the back of the package. In most cases, the seeds of large seed producers have already undergone pre-sowing treatment; they can only be soaked before sowing.
Calculation of the timing of planting tomatoes for seedlings
You can choose the right time for sowing tomato seeds, if you only take into account many changing factors, but the gardener can determine the approximate time on his own.
To determine the time of sowing seeds, it is necessary to calculate the date when tomato seedlings will be picked. Do not forget that by the time of diving, the seedlings should be 7-10 days old, and transplanting to a permanent place should be 45-50 days old, to this you need to add 5-7 days of seeds necessary for germination. These dates are for early varieties. For mid-ripening plants, 55-60 days are needed, and for tall and late 70 days.
Older seedlings of tomatoes after transplanting to a permanent place will develop poorly, plants are very sick after transplanting, they will begin to stretch, the formation of inflorescences will be delayed, buds on the first brush may not form.
The soil for seedlings of tomatoes at home
The basis for mixing the soil mixture for tomato seedlings is a mixture of turf and humus in equal amounts. To make the mixture loose, peat or rotted sawdust is added to it. You can use store soil.
For growing seedlings, a soil mixture of equal parts of chernozem, garden soil and sand is used, it is nice to add a little vermicult to this soil. Excellent results are obtained by growing seedlings on a mixture of non-acidic peat and sand in a ratio of 3: 1.
Healthy and strong seedlings are obtained when grown on a coconut substrate - such seedlings are characterized by rapid development.
Whatever composition you sow the seeds, the acidity of the soil should be in the range of 5.5-6.0 pH, and before sowing the soil must be decontaminated, destroying the embryos of the disease. This operation is performed in several ways:
• Process with a pink solution of potassium permanganate;
• Heated for 3-4 minutes in the microwave;
• Steamed soil or watered with boiling water;
• Warm up in the oven at 200 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
After disinfection, the soil is moistened, and kept warm for 12-15 days, so that during this period the number of beneficial microorganisms increases in it.
Sowing tomatoes for seedlings: options
Sowing of seeds is carried out as follows - containers prepared for seedlings are filled with moist soil, grooves are cut through 3 cm and seeds are laid out in them after 2-3 cm, after which grooves are covered with soil. The seed box is then covered with a film or a piece of glass and transferred to a warm place (a temperature of 25-30 degrees is best for germination).
Seedlings of tomatoes in peat tablets
When sowing seeds in peat tablets, picking seedlings of tomatoes is not performed. For tomatoes, tablets 4 cm in diameter are suitable, they are soaked before sowing until they completely swell. In each tablet, it is permissible to sow no more than 4 seeds (if you doubt the germination of seeds).
If the seeds are good, then you can sow 1 seed - subsequently you do not have to thin out the seedlings.
After sowing, the tablets are covered and transferred to a warm place.
When the sprouts appear, they remove the shelter and transfer to a bright place.
Seedling in cassettes
It is convenient to use cartridges with pallets, while it is easier to water the seedlings (you can water through the pan) and the cartridges can be used for several seasons (they are easy to clean and wash after seedlings). In addition, the cassette allows you to place more plants on one square.
The use of cassettes has its own peculiarities - the soil mixture dries quickly in them, for this reason it is better to use a mixture of horse peat and agroperlite in a 3: 1 ratio as a substrate.
Before mixing, you need to reduce the acidity of peat, to do this, pour 10 buckets to which add 0.15 kg of superphosphate, 0.1 kg of potassium nitrate, 0.03 kg of magnesium sulfate, 0.05 kg of ammonium nitrate to which 1 kg of chalk is added and everything is mixed well.
Attention! The disinfection of the soil mixture must be carried out before adding fertilizers.
Learn the rules for feeding tomato seedlings during its active growth.
