Good afternoon, my reader. Many gardeners are faced with the fact that the seeds do not germinate well, young shoots wither or dry out, and after planting the plants do not take root in the ground. To avoid this, you should pay attention to the following recommendations.
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Store seeds in a cool dry place
The seeds love air and coolness. If stored incorrectly, germination is noticeably reduced. The optimum temperature will be 5-10 ° C, the storage area should be protected from moisture. But you do not need to overdo it, because by drying out the seeds, you can destroy the embryo inside them.
Many have heard of freezing seeds. This type of storage is also possible, but since the embryo of the seed falls into deep hibernation when frozen, it will take much longer to awaken and emerge. It is possible to stimulate the awakening of the seed after freezing by using uniform heating, for example, in warm water.
So, try to store seeds at a temperature of 12-15 ° C and do not allow sudden changes in it, moderate humidity (no higher than 50%) and limited air access will be the best solution for storage. Small plastic bags with a clasp, resealable jars or paper envelopes are suitable for this.
Treatment
Experienced gardeners know that before sowing seeds in the ground, they must be treated so that fungus does not form on them. Also, many people leave seeds in the soil for the winter, in order to carry out the so-called "hardening". These treatments increase the chances of good germination if used in moderation. On the other hand, you shouldn't completely exclude processing.
Keeping the correct proportions is the key to success. If, for example, you want to disinfect seeds with a solution of potassium permanganate, then its weak concentration may not give the desired effect. As a result, the plant will be susceptible to diseases, as well as the untreated one.
Recommended proportions of potassium permanganate solution for seed dressing
You will need
- 0.5 liters of water;
- 5 g of potassium permanganate.
Soak the seeds in the prepared solution for 15-30 minutes. Then rinse them and leave them in room temperature water for 7-9 hours.
Purchased seeds are often already processed, which can be indicated by their unnatural color (red or hot pink) or a mark on the package. You do not need to process them again.
Hardening
Seed hardening will be effective only if the seedlings are planted outdoors. At home, sprouts that hatch will somehow lose their immunity due to conditions favorable for growth.
Quenching method:
- Soak the seeds in gauze or rag bags in water. This procedure will take 6 to 12 hours.
- Remove the seeds and let them sit at room temperature for about 12 hours.
- The seeds should spend the same amount of time in a cold place: a refrigerator or a room where the air temperature will be 1-3 ° C.
Hardening seeds in the refrigerator is especially important for root crops.
Sowing density
Try not to plant seedlings too close to each other. They will not have enough light, they will intertwine with roots, and their stems will turn out to be rather fragile. The distance between shoots is different for each crop. For example, sprouts of sweet pepper should be planted at a distance of 1.5-2 cm from each other, for tomatoes 1-2 cm.
Abundant watering
It is necessary to water the soil for seedlings before planting the seeds in the ground. Otherwise, after planting, they will go deep into the soil and it will take them longer to germinate. After you have planted the seedlings in damp ground, it is only recommended to spray them with a spray bottle. Try to keep the top layer of the mail moist, do not let it dry out. Also, do not water the soil abundantly, this can lead to decay of plant roots.
Water for irrigation should be settled and warm, in no case cold.
Transplant seedlings into the garden in time
Do not overripe seedlings in pots. For each culture there is a specific term for "resettlement in the big world." For tomatoes it is 50-60 days, for cabbage - 30. Overgrown seedlings will find it more difficult to adapt to the new soil. To make it easier for the plant to take root, deepen its stems so deep that only leaves remain on top. This contributes to the formation of additional roots.
By following these simple rules, you will ensure that your plants grow healthy and strong, and the harvest will not take long.
Do you know how to grow strong seedlings?
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Read about what should not be placed in seedling soil in the following article: Top 9 ingredients that should not be placed in seedling soil