Seedlings of tomatoes at home

Healthy seedlings are a factor in ensuring a plentiful harvest of tomatoes. And since they are very popular among the population, differ in many useful properties, a large number of original and tasty fruits, the correctness of growing tomato seedlings is a very important issue.

Many summer residents due to lack of experience and relevant knowledge often make mistakes when acquiring or growing seedlings. Which negatively affects the development of plants and further fruiting.

When buying adult seedlings, it is quite difficult to assess its quality. The splendor of the green mass often creates a deceptive impression. People who decide to plant tomatoes with their own hands get the opportunity to independently select the necessary seeds.

Dates of planting tomatoes for seedlings

Varieties of tomatoes are divided into three categories:

• early ripening - from 90 to 100 days;
• mid-season - from 110 to 120 days;
• late ripening - up to 140 days.

Ripening period is indicated on the packaging. To determine the date of landing, add to it 10-15 days. This period is necessary for the adaptation of culture. When making calculations, you need to focus on the recommendations of experienced gardeners and seed producers. When choosing suitable varieties, you need to focus on climatic conditions.

Dates for different regions

Another important factor is the release date. To achieve good germination, it is necessary to purchase seeds sown more than 2 years ago.

Preparation of soil for sowing seeds for seedlings

Tomatoes do not grow well on acidic soils. To reduce stabilize the pH, they add lime, superphosphates or organic fertilizers. Soil treatment begins 7-10 days before planting. The earth is disinfected by potassium permanganate. The soil used for sowing tomatoes must be warmed up. This can be done in the oven or steamed in a water bath.

Experts recommend picking up land from a site on which seedlings will later be planted. This will facilitate the adaptation process. When using a purchased substrate, the engraftment process is greatly delayed.

There are many options for soil mixtures, among them the compositions of the following ingredients are distinguished:

• peat, mullein, turf land;
• steamed sawdust, mullein, peat;
• turf land, peat, humus.

Additional components include: river sand, urea, ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate, superphosphate, ash, potassium chloride.

Applying purchased soil, you must observe the following nuances:

• The main ingredient in the soil mixture is peat. The composition is characterized by low throughput and high acidity.
• To achieve a good result, you need to mix the acquired land with a nutrient substrate.
• To reduce acidity, crushed chalk or dolomite flour can be used.
• Potash or nitrogen fertilizers are used immediately before planting.

Seedling tanks

At the first stage, the tomato is sown in a small box. After the plants are placed in separate cups. The procedure depends on the personal preferences of the summer resident, free space and the number of seedlings.

Until the end of the first stage, the seedlings can be in cardboard packages that previously had juice or milk. To create a container does not take much time. After picking, seedlings should be placed in larger containers. The best option is medium-sized peat pots. Among their shortcomings highlight the high cost and the need for a large amount of free space. Depth of drawers should not be less than 8 cm.

Preparing seeds for planting

In order to get a plentiful harvest, seed must be decontaminated. To do this, follow a certain algorithm:

• Seeds are placed in cheesecloth.
• Prepare a disinfectant solution. To get the liquid, 2.5 g of potassium permanganate are taken in one glass of warm water.
• Put seed in it. He is left there for half an hour (no more).
• Washed tomato seeds with running water.
• Carry out their drying.

In the next step, the pickled tomatoes sprout. To do this, they are placed on a plastic tray. As a stand, you can use an ordinary saucer. Seeds are placed in a plastic bag or on a paper towel. In any case, they must be protected from direct sunlight. To avoid drying out, the seed is regularly moistened. Seeds that have not sprouted are not recommended to be planted.

To increase germination, growth stimulants are used (Epin, Zircon or others). Soak the seed for 30 minutes. Folk remedies are also used (honey, aloe juice - 1 tsp per 200 g).

Seedling care at home

Boxes of tomatoes are usually placed on sunny windowsills. A table under the circumstances is unlikely to work. If necessary, you can build structures designed for additional lighting.

Seedlings need regular feeding, watering, picking, hardening, air ventilation. After landing in the open ground, the list of agrotechnical measures is supplemented by hilling and the formation of a bush.

Growing conditions

Picking seedlings

The first leaf blades grow on the stem after 7-10 days. The need for picking arises if the summer resident planted too many seeds in one box. Subject to the necessary standards, the first pick can be abandoned. The second procedure is carried out two weeks after planting. During it, the seedlings are moved into cups, the volume of which exceeds 200 ml. In this case, they are guided by a simple formula: one plant requires 1 liter of soil composition.

Sprouts are transferred from one container to another along with the ground. Contrary to popular belief, pinching the main root is strictly prohibited. Otherwise, the development of culture will be delayed for one week.

If the plant is left in small compartments, productivity will decrease significantly.

Seedling hardening

Thanks to this agrotechnical method, tomatoes will be more tolerant of the negative effects of temperature changes, direct sunlight and strong drafts. Hardening begins 15 days before transplantation. The first airing takes no more than 2 hours. The duration of the following procedures is gradually increasing. At the last stage, plants in trays are taken out into the open air. During this period, the height of the seedlings is about 35 cm.

Landing in the open ground is carried out around the beginning of June, in the greenhouse a little earlier. By this time, thick stems, large-sized leaves have already formed in the tomato. There are two landing technologies: vertical and horizontal. The latter method is used for plants that have a powerful root system. Before landing, you need to dig deep holes. Sprouts are moved into them after the prepared pits are decontaminated. There should be at least 30 cm between the shoots. Many use steam beds instead. With the help of such structures accelerate the ripening process of tomatoes.

Diseases and pests of seedlings

With proper care of the sprouts, the risk of diseases is minimal. Therefore, when symptoms appear, the procedure for agricultural activities should be analyzed.

Mr. Dachnik warns: mistakes when growing seedlings

Growing tomatoes does not require significant material costs. In the absence of experience, the following problems may occur:

• excessive elongation of sprouts - insufficient amount of sunlight;
• mass fall of seedlings - dense sowing;
• slowing down the growth of seedlings - temperature differences;
• change in shade of leaves - nitrogen starvation, poor lighting;
• rapid withering and death - excessive or insufficient moisture.

To grow tomatoes, the summer resident must have basic skills.

Before planting, care should be taken about the place and seed. When buying seedlings, you should pay attention to the state of the root system. Subject to all norms and requirements, fresh tomatoes will appear on the table at the end of June.