The Chinese way of growing tomato seedlings can produce an excellent harvest.
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Method essence
Although it has been known for a long time, it began to be actively used only recently. In practice, the method has shown its high efficiency. But it has one drawback. It only works with hybrid and indeterminate varieties.
The peculiarity of this method of growing tomatoes is that the sprouts in pots, planted as seedlings, are cut at the level of the cotyledon leaves. Then the shoot is lowered into water and roots are expected to appear. There is an option when it is immediately buried in the ground. The main goal of such manipulations is to cause stress in the plant, which will provoke the termination of growth in height and increased growth to the sides.
Negative and positive aspects
According to opponents of the method, the increase in yield is controversial, as is the earlier receipt of fruits. The argument is put forward that the number of fruits is already initially laid down at the genetic level and it is impossible to increase their number in this way.
The positive aspects of such a tomato planting are the following:
- Resistance to late blight increases.
- It is much easier to care for shorter plants.
- Seedlings can be planted more quickly in the ground or greenhouse.
Disadvantages:
- Seedlings will not be able to grow normally without special shelter.
- Not all specimens tolerate the stress of cutting. On average, about 75% of plants remain viable.
- Shoots require additional lighting.
Order of conduct
Planting seeds in pots is required to start a month earlier than it is done with the usual method. When purchasing seeds from a store, the packaging must indicate that the variety is hybrid or indeterminate. If the seeds are collected independently from your own garden, you need to know for sure that this variety is suitable for growing by the Chinese method. If the seed material has not been prepared, it is required to wrap it in a damp cloth and leave it in a warm place to swell.
Ready-made soil is well suited for growing seedlings. The first layer in the pot is drainage from expanded clay, pebbles or just pieces of broken brick. Then soil is poured. Sowing takes place as follows:
- Grooves are laid in the ground at a distance of 4 cm from each other. The seeds are laid out 2 cm apart.
- The layer of earth above the seeds should not exceed 0.5 cm.
- Seedlings are not watered, but sprayed.
- The pots should be covered with plastic and set in a warm place. The air temperature is at the level of + 24... + 26 ° C.
- The film can be removed only a week after planting. It is then that sprouts appear on the surface.
Until the time of pruning, the seedlings must be looked after. In the place where the tomatoes are placed, there should be no sudden changes in temperature. After removing the film, the sprouts are recommended to be transferred under a lamp, which becomes a substitute for sunlight. For the normal development of sprouts, the day should last at least 12 hours. A pick is allowed, provided that night temperatures do not drop below + 18 ° C.
Pruning is carried out approximately 30 days after planting. A cut with a sharp knife is made at the base of the shoot. The cut sprout is placed in settled water at room temperature. It should be submerged in water to the leaves. At the same level, sprouts are planted in the soil. Care is the same as for ordinary seedlings. Transfer to soil is carried out within the time frame provided for in the recommendations for the region.
Have you tried to grow tomato seedlings in the Chinese way?
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I wrote about planting tomatoes for seedlings in the following article:When to plant tomatoes for seedlings in 2020 according to the lunar calendar: favorable days