We have already talked about how to grow eggplant seedlings. Today I want to share my experience, what difficulties can arise when planting grown plants in open ground.
Eggplants are tender and whimsical. You have to be very careful when transplanting.
Dates
- In the middle lane, heat-loving eggplants should not be planted before mid-May.
- By this time, the soil temperature usually already reaches +20 ° C, and the night temperature should not fall below +8 ° C.
Determining the readiness of seedlings
By the time of planting, the seedlings should be 2-2.5 months old.
- The stem should be strong, the bush is voluminous. Without damage.
- Each plant has at least 5-6 true leaves.
- The root system should be well developed and visible through the transparent bottom of the container.
Important! For a couple of weeks, start hardening off the plants, taking them out for a couple of hours in a cool room and gradually increasing the length of stay in the cold.
We prepare the beds
First of all, it is necessary to disinfect the land at the landing site by spilling a 1% solution of potassium permanganate and boiling water.
- Eggplant requires light, breathable soil.
- The soil must be dug up well, and then add a mixture of soddy soil, humus, peat and a little sand.
- You can mix garden soil and store-bought nutrient substrate.
- To reduce acidity and add useful elements, it is recommended to add wood ash, as well as rotted manure.
- In dug-up beds to restore the nutrient medium, we apply nitrogen-potassium fertilizers in a dry form.
Neighborhood of cultures
It is very important to consider after which plants eggplants can be planted.
Good Predecessors
- onion;
- turnip;
- legumes;
- carrot;
- cucumbers;
- melon cultures.
Not suitable as predecessors
- tomatoes;
- bell pepper;
- potatoes and eggplants.
For the next 3-4 years after them, the earth will be depleted and filled with harmful larvae.
good neighbors
Bulgarian pepper, as well as zucchini, cabbage, beets, peas, planted nearby, repel pests and do not take the substances necessary for eggplants from the soil.
Important! Potatoes are the only crop that categorically does not combine with eggplant in any way.
planting
- We divide the earthen bed into squares with a side of 45-50 cm.
- We dig up the earth in the holes well and water it abundantly.
- We place young plants 1-2 in one hole along with an earthen clod.
Important! Make sure that the plant is placed strictly vertically, and the basal neck is not very deep.
- We compact the soil around the stem and mulch it with peat on top, which retains and redistributes moisture well in the root system.
- At night, we cover tender plants with plastic bottles in order to preserve the daytime heat as much as possible. Nighttime low temperatures can completely stop the growth of tender seedlings.
Landing Care
Watering
- Plants need to be watered only with warm water and in the evening hours, so that the moisture is well preserved in the roots and does not evaporate in the daytime in the sun.
Attention! Water should not fall on the eggplant leaves.
- The earth must not be allowed to dry out. Lack of moisture is detrimental to plants.
- The next day, the soil must be carefully loosened with a hoe by hand. Thus, we provide ventilation of the root system and do not allow weeds to grow.
- It is good to mulch the earth around the plants. This reduces the amount of loosening and prevents the formation of weeds.
Topping
- In open ground, eggplants do not require tying, as they rarely exceed 40 cm in height.
- To form an evenly developing bush, it is necessary to pinch the top to give growth to the side shoots.
- Among the new sprouts, we leave 5-6 of the strongest, and remove the rest with secateurs.
top dressing
Top dressing has a positive effect on the development of both green mass and fruits.
- In the fall, we introduce organic matter, humus and superphosphate. To deoxidize the soil, if necessary - slaked lime.
- In the spring, 3-4 weeks before transplantation, we add superphosphate and rotted manure, a little wood ash and potassium sulfate.
- When flowering and the formation of ovaries, we apply potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.
For your information! It is better to alternate the application of mineral and organic fertilizers.
It is very difficult for beginner gardeners to immediately grow eggplant without problems. Write in the comments what difficulties you had to face and how you coped with it.
Read also: Convenient and nutritious. I tell you about the secrets of peat pots
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