Carrot seeds are recommended to soak in order to get rid of empty seeds and speed up the germination of the rest. Water is usually used for soaking, however, such a procedure does not protect planting material from various diseases and does not sufficiently affect the seed shell.
We consider in the article how to soak carrots quickly by planting seeds in vodka before planting.
How does an alcoholic drink affect the seed?
Why use vodka in the process of soaking? Vodka has the following effects on carrot seeds:
- Favorably affects germination. The alcohol contained in the vodka dissolves the essential oils that cover the seeds and do not allow them to quickly germinate.
- Prevents various diseases. Alcohol acts as a disinfector, and its use helps fight carrot diseases caused by various fungi, bacteria and viruses.
- Softens the seed coat. Thus, the seeds are moistened and swell, which greatly accelerates their germination in the soil.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The advantages of this method:
- disinfection and disinfection of seeds;
- significant acceleration of their germination.
Disadvantages:
- It is necessary to use vodka, which can be irrational or wasteful with a large amount of planting material.
- It is important not to overdo the seeds in vodka for more than a certain time, because alcohol is a strong solvent and with prolonged exposure can destroy the seed. In this case, their germination will be excluded.
How to choose alcohol?
There are no special requirements for vodka used for the soaking procedure. but simple, good quality vodka that does not contain impurities is best.
Step-by-step instructions on how to process seeds to speed up germination?
Inventory
- To soak the seeds in vodka, it is convenient to use shallow flat dishes, at the bottom of which you need to pour a small amount of vodka. (A saucer, plate, or washed container left over from the product will do).
- Seeds must first be placed in a bag of gauze or cotton fabric.
- Then lower it into the container so that the liquid completely covers the bag.
Do I need to dilute the liquid and how to do it?
Vodka is not necessary to dilute, but a high concentration of alcohol can burn and damage carrot seeds.
If there are such concerns should dilute vodka with water in a 1: 1 ratio, and only then use this solution.
Preparation of planting material
Before soaking, pre-screening of seeds should be carried out and weed out unwanted elements. The following procedures should be followed in sequence:
- Inspection. Having distributed the seeds in one layer, you need to carefully review their external condition. Those that have mold stains and other damage are discarded. Seeds of the correct form and color are exposed to the further check.
- Soaking in saline solution. Defective and empty seeds, immersed in salt water (1 tsp. Salt per 1 liter of water) for 7 minutes, will float to the top, and full-weighted will settle to the bottom. They need to be rinsed with salt and dried.
- Sorting. Large and healthy seeds should be separated from the small ones, which can also be planted, but separately, as they rarely produce good shoots.
The soaking process itself
Seeds are placed in a pre-cooked cloth and dipped in a container with vodka for 15 minutes. Failure to comply with this period leads to the fact that the seeds are preserved or burned. This time is enough for the liquid to cope with its tasks of dissolving the essential oils, disinfecting and softening the seed.
What to do with seeds after the procedure?
How to plant seeds after the procedure, so that the carrot quickly rose?
After the next drying, you can start planting.
The consequences of a long or short soak before sowing
- You can not stand the seeds in vodka for more than 15 minutes. This will lead to their conservation and eliminate germination.
- When soaking too short, essential oils will not have time to dissolve. It will not cause any harm to planting material, but there will be no benefit from the process.
List of alternatives to alcohol-containing liquid
The word "vodka" means any liquid with an alcohol content. Pharmaceutical tinctures (hawthorn, calendula) can be used. In the case of presowing treatment of the material, only alcohol from their composition is of importance.
The following fluids or procedures are also used for seed treatment:
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Hot water (45-55 degrees).
- Water at room temperature.
- Growth stimulants (Appin, Zircon, Humate).
- Steam treatment.
- Aloe juice
- Wood ash.
- Potassium permanganate
- Boric acid solution.
- Honey water.
- Burial in the ground.
Thus, we figured out how to sow carrots with the help of soaking the seeds in vodka so that it quickly rose. The use of vodka for soaking carrots is fully justified. This process allows you to disinfect the seeds, quickly germinate them and thereby accelerate the time of emergence. An important advantage is that there is no need to buy growth stimulants or other expensive funds. Unlike soaking in water, seeds are disinfected, which reduces the risk of their disease.
