In central Russia, heat-loving tomatoes are grown in greenhouses. So they have time to ripen before autumn and give a quality harvest. Consider how to grow tomato seedlings for planting in a greenhouse.
Variety selection and sowing dates
For growing in greenhouses, it is necessary to choose varieties that meet the following characteristics:
- bred for growing in greenhouses;
- with early or medium ripening;
- self-pollinating;
- with increased resistance to diseases;
- with compact dimensions;
- fruitful.
The development of early and mid-ripening tomatoes takes from 90 to 100 days. For a full-fledged vegetation, they need a daytime temperature of + 24-26 ° C, a night temperature of + 16-19 ° C. In a temperate climate, this temperature is possible for no more than two months, which is why greenhouses are used in which seedlings are planted in the middle or end of May. Based on this, seeds for seedlings are sown in mid-March.
Sowing preparation
You can use any containers for sowing seeds - from disposable plastic cups to special peat tablets. The container should not be too deep, I think the best wall height is 15 cm.
To achieve a high survival rate of seedlings in a permanent place, I recommend using soil from a greenhouse for sowing seeds. If the earth has a high density, which makes it difficult for seeds to germinate, you can loosen it by mixing it with river sand and wood ash.
Before filling the soil in planting containers, it must be disinfected. I use an oven for this, heating the soil in it for several hours. You can use a saturated solution of potassium permanganate (dark purple), which shed the soil in advance.
Seed preparation
Seeds purchased from specialized stores are already processed and do not require any preparation.
I check my own collected seeds with a saline solution. I dissolve two tablespoons of salt in 1 liter of water, put the seeds there. After 30 minutes, I drain the water with the floating seeds, they are empty and nothing will germinate from them. Only the seeds remaining at the bottom are suitable for planting.
Disinfection is carried out using a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Placed in a cloth bag, I lower the seeds for 30 minutes into the solution, then rinse them with running water.
Planting for seedlings
I place the seed at a depth of 2 cm and cover it with dry soil, lightly tamping it down. For irrigation, I use a spray bottle, after which I cover the containers with a transparent film or glass.
I keep the cups in a warm room with a temperature of + 25-27 ° C. After 7-10 days, the first sprouts germinate, after which I remove the film (glass).
seedling care
In order for the seedlings to be healthy and strong, it needs good lighting. I place containers with sprouts on the most illuminated window sill, with a short light day I illuminate them with a phytolamp.
Before the appearance of the first two main leaves, I irrigate the seedlings only from a spray bottle. After the appearance of 2 leaves, I use a small watering can. I water only under the root, so as not to wet the leaves. Water for irrigation should be separated, warm.
The first fertilizers, necessarily diluted in water, are also applied after the appearance of the main leaves. I use complex top dressing with a minimum nitrogen content so as not to cause excessive growth of the bushes.
I maintain daytime temperature within + 22-25 ° С. Night at the level of + 16-18 ° С.
When to plant in a greenhouse
Transplanting seedlings to the greenhouse I spend only when the strong frosts end. By this time, seedlings should meet the following standards:
- height from 15 to 30 cm;
- at least 8 full sheets;
- pencil-thick stem;
- the presence of 1-2 ovaries is welcome.
During the day, it is important to open the greenhouse for ventilation and fresh air.
Growing tomato seedlings for greenhouses is not much different from growing seedlings for open ground. It is important to choose the right variety and provide it with proper care, and then you can enjoy a quality harvest. If you have comments, advice, or your experience differs from mine, I look forward to commenting under this article.
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#tomato seedlings#seed preparation#growing tomatoes in a greenhouse