Good afternoon, my reader. Eggplant is one of the thermophilic plants of the nightshade family. This vegetable is loved by gardeners, and it is successfully grown both in the southern regions of Russia and in the middle zone of the country.
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How to grow good seedlings and get a rich harvest - we reveal the secrets of experienced gardeners.
Seedling
Good seeds are the key to strong seedlings. Carefully consider the choice of seed. Purchase it in trusted garden centers and reliable retail outlets. Remember that the maturation period for eggplants from sowing to fruiting is up to 140 days. Consider this when sowing seeds. Check them for germination immediately. Dip the material into a glass of salt water. Those that are left floating on the surface are empty and will not ascend. Those that have settled to the bottom can be sown.
In regions with long spring frosts and short summers, the following varieties should be preferred: Alekseevsky, Salamander, Violet Miracle F1. Mid-season varieties ripen in greenhouses or under covering material: Almaz, Universal 6, Black handsome and others.
In order for the seeds to sprout faster, they can be pre-soaked. Place in a cloth or tissue and dip in the stimulant. Aloe juice, water with wood ash also improve germination. Leave it in the liquid for a few days. The shell of the seeds will become softer and, after planting in the ground, will sprout faster.
Priming
The germination of seeds and the quality of seedlings depend on the quality of the soil. The soil must be prepared in advance. You can purchase a ready-made soil mixture specifically for eggplant seedlings or vegetables. Or you can make it yourself. Eggplants grow well in fertile soil with a lot of organic matter. And even if you bought soil, apply organic fertilizer there too. You can mix it with chicken droppings or rotted manure. Remember that the soil should be loose, airy and low acid.
Before sowing seeds, treat the soil with Fitosporin or a weak solution of manganese. This will disinfect the soil and is useful for the prevention of diseases.
Sowing
Use separate containers or peat pots for planting eggplants. Make sure that moisture does not stagnate. It is good if there was a hole in the containers for excess water to escape. Before sowing, place prepared containers in a pallet and fill them halfway with soil. Place the seeds and lightly dust them with earth. Pour with settled water. Excess water will drain out through the hole in the sump. As the seedlings grow, soil is poured into the pots.
For better germination, cover the pots with foil on top. This will create a greenhouse effect that the seeds are very fond of. If the weather is cloudy, it is recommended to light up the seedlings so that they do not stretch out. Use special phytolamps.
Care
Water the seedlings as the soil dries. Eggplants don't like over-watering. When seedlings appear, feed the plants. For this, liquid biofertilizer is used to increase the immunity and vitality of seedlings. Eggplants also absorb organic fertilizers well.
In order for the seedlings to be strong, they must be hardened. When it reaches the 4-5 leaf phase, ventilate the room, lower the temperature in winter. But avoid drafts.
Disembarkation
Eggplant seedlings are planted when warm weather sets in and the soil warms up well. The soil, enriched with top dressing, gives every opportunity for the seedlings to be healthy, the plants are strong, and the harvest is excellent. Prepare the soil in the greenhouse in advance, dig it up and loosen it well. Put mineral fertilizers and some ash in the holes. After planting the plant, slightly deepen the soil around the trunk so that water penetrates directly to the root.
Eggplants must be planted in a greenhouse or under a covering material. A heat-loving vegetable will feel more comfortable and produce a good harvest.
Do you plant different types of eggplants?
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