One of the important conditions for obtaining a good crop of tomatoes is healthy seedlings. It is not necessary to buy seedlings, you can independently sow seeds. Before planting, it is recommended to germinate seeds for seedlings. As a result of this preparation, seedlings germinate faster and are distinguished by good immunity. The main thing is to correctly perform all the manipulations.
From this article, you will learn what a seed germination procedure is and why it is needed, what its effectiveness is, what varieties are suitable for germination, how long the procedure will take and how it will actually be done. And also what capacity to use and when to plant germinated seeds.
What is it and why?
Sprouting seeds - a method of increasing the survival and fruiting of crops. Most often applied to vegetables.
The event brings significant benefits.:
- Allows you to select strong seeds and discard empty ones.
- It increases the resistance of the planting material to such adverse factors as infections, waterlogging of the soil, too deep sowing, dense soil. Similar problems lead to the death of ungrown grains before the appearance of the first shoots.
- Increases the percentage of germination of seeds.
- Reduces the time of germination of seedlings.
- Simplifies care. Shoots appear evenly and are approximately at one stage of development.
Is there really an effect and what?
Do I need to carry out this process with tomato grains? If the planting material is first germinated, seedlings appear on the third or fourth day after sowing. Without preparing the grain, the sprout is visible after ten days. It is established that the germination of seeds increases the yield of tomatoes by 30%. The grains, which were the first to spawn, give 100% germination when planting in the soil.
What varieties are suitable for germination?
When choosing a seed variety for germination, consider the following features:
- Climatic conditions. In southern areas it is recommended to germinate seeds of drought tolerant varieties. If the climate is cool, the necessary varieties are well perceived temperature changes.
- Purpose of seed: for the greenhouse or kitchen garden.
- Harvest period: early or late varieties.
- Appointment of tomatoes. Varieties "Bull's Heart" and "Moskvich" are ideal for eating fresh tomatoes. "Ladies fingers" with strong skin and dense flesh are excellent for canning.
Tomato seed preparation
Preparation for germination consists of several stages.
Correct selection
It is required to choose the largest and heaviest grains.. They contain many nutrients necessary for the development of a young plant. To determine the quality of the seed, a saline solution is prepared:
- In a glass of water add 80 grams of salt.
- The solution is well mixed. They pour seeds into it.
- After 10-15 minutes, empty grains float to the surface. Seeds that are on the bottom, washed with warm water and dried.
Warming up
For two to three days, planting material is kept near the battery.. The exception is the seeds of hybrids, in relation to which it is impossible to apply heat treatment.
Hardening
Planting material is placed on a saucer and left in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours, then sent to a warm place for the same time. Manipulate three times.
Disinfection
The most effective means is considered a weak solution of potassium permanganate. In 100 ml of water at room temperature dilute one gram of the drug. Seeds are poured into a gauze bag and soaked for half an hour. You can sustain the grain for 10 minutes in a 2% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
How long do they grow?
The period of germination of tomato seeds depends on the following factors:
- Storage time. Last year's seeds germinate in four to five days. Seeds collected three years ago sprout after seven to nine days. When buying seeds, it is necessary to clarify the production time indicated on the package. Store planting material is allowed no longer than five years.
- Air temperature and humidity. When the ambient temperature is from +25 to + 30 ° С, tomato seeds germinate from 3 to 4 days, from +20 to + 25 ° С - from 5 to 6 days. If the figures are in the range from +13 to + 19 ° C, the process takes from 7 to 13 days. When the surrounding air is heated to + 10 + 12 ° C, germination lasts two weeks or longer.
Detailed step by step instructions
After the preparatory activities are moving to the germination of seeds. The most popular way to sprout tomatoes:
- Prepare a shallow plate and material: medical gauze, paper napkin or a small piece of cotton fabric. You can use cotton pads.
- Dampen a cloth or disc with water. Ideal heated rain or melt water.
- Spread the cloth on a plate.
- Seeds spread out in several rows on wet material.
- If the free part of the fabric remains, cover the seed with it. Or use for this purpose another piece of cloth soaked in warm water.
- Keep a container with seeds at a stable temperature from +20 to + 30 ° C. Regularly moisten the cloth, otherwise the moisture will completely evaporate and the grain will dry out. Add some water. Excess moisture leads to mold or rotting of planting material. Periodically air the seeds, revealing the fabric.
Reference! In order to speed up germination, it is recommended to add a few drops of growth stimulant to the water: a special purchased product or fresh aloe juice.
Tomato grain is ready for planting, if the sprout length is equal to the size of the seed.
Capacity Selection
For sowing tomato seeds in seedlings, you need to prepare containers with a height of 8-10 centimeters. The use of individual containers eliminates the need for picking seedlings. If you sow the grain in large boxes, in the future will have to transplant plants. A prerequisite is the presence of drainage holes in the tank. The remains of irrigation water should flow into the pan.
Ideal - plastic containers. Such containers are easy to clean and disinfect. It is desirable that the container had transparent walls.
In a specialized shop you can find plastic containers of various shapes, as well as collapsible cups with removable bottom and cassettes. If it is not possible to purchase such a container, it is permissible to use ordinary disposable cups or build containers from PET bottles.
Landing time
The time of sowing tomato seeds for seedlings is determined depending on the climate.. In the middle lane, early tomatoes are planted on seedlings from mid to late February. Greenhouse varieties - in early March. If an open method of growing tomatoes is supposed, sowing on seedlings is carried out at the end of March.
After 50-60 days after the emergence of shoots start planting seedlings at a permanent place.
Care
After planting the seeds in the soil container covered with glass or film. Put in a warm room with air temperature from +24 to + 28 ° C and dim lighting. In such conditions, seedlings appear on the fifth or seventh day. At lower temperatures, shoots have to wait longer. When shoots appear, remove the shelter and place the containers in a bright place, providing a temperature in the range from +14 to + 18 ° С during the week.
The first watering is carried out on the tenth day after sowing. A lot of moisture is not required before picking. - each sprout is enough one teaspoon of water. After seven days of keeping in a cool container are sent to a warm place and keep the temperature from +18 to + 22 ° C. Observe this temperature until the first leaves.
In the future, seedlings contain on the windowsill. Provide plants access to light for 12-14 hours. If necessary, make additional lighting. Constantly turn the container relative to the window so that young plants grow evenly and the stems do not bend toward the light. Moderately spray seedlings from a spray bottle with warm settled water with a temperature not lower than + 25 ° C. Ensure that the soil does not dry out.
The germination of tomato seeds is an important procedure in the process of forming healthy seedlings. You need to choose the right variety, prepare the grain for germination, decide on the capacity for seedlings. The germination procedure includes a number of simple steps that will further help to get a good crop of tomatoes.
