How to prepare tomato seeds for planting seedlings
The season for sowing and growing tomatoes begins long before summer cottages. The first and main stage of growing a crop is preparing tomato seeds for planting seedlings.
Preparing tomato seeds for planting seedlings
If you do not follow the pre-sowing treatment of the planting material, the seedlings develop poorly. This also negatively affects the harvest.
Selection of seeds for planting
The preparation of tomato seeds for sowing for seedlings begins with the selection of planting material. All seeds are carefully examined. Seeds are unsuitable for planting:
- uneven;
- dried out or discolored;
- with mold or bloom;
- small.
Only a healthy planting seed produces a healthy plant. All unusable seeds are thrown away, and the rest are immersed in a saline solution: 1 tbsp. l. salt for 1 tbsp. water. Full seeds sink to the bottom, and those that remain on the surface are not recommended to be sown: they are empty. After selection, the seeds are washed under running water and dried. Prolonged contact with salt water is undesirable. Salt is an aggressive ingredient for delicate tomatoes.
During the winter, the seeds can dry out, they need help to wake up. Tomato seeds are dipped in a glass of warm water for 10-15 minutes. During this time, seeds suitable for planting gain moisture and sink to the bottom.
Disinfection of seeds
The next important step in preparing tomato seeds for sowing is disinfection or dressing of the planting material. This stage is mandatory if the tomato seeds are old, collected from the garden, or there are clear signs of fungus (mold, plaque, etc.).
For disinfection use:
- potassium permanganate solution;
- 3% hydrogen peroxide solution;
- ready-made chemicals.
For disinfection in a solution of potassium permanganate, take 1 g of potassium permanganate and combine with 1 liter of water. The liquid turns crimson, but not dark. The seeds are wrapped in cheesecloth and kept for 20 minutes, then thoroughly washed and dried.
For disinfection with perhydrol, take an ordinary peroxide solution purchased at a pharmacy and heat it up to 40 ° C. Seeds, wrapped in gauze, are dipped for 7-8 minutes, then washed and dried.
More convenient and effective means for etching are Fitosporin, Epin, Novosil, Mikras. They not only disinfect seeds, but also stimulate growth, prevent tomato phytophthora and other diseases.
Seed hardening
Hardening increases immunity
Hardening is recommended for varieties that will be planted in early spring. This will raise their immunity, and the seeds will be able to withstand changes in spring temperature.
Before sowing, tomato seeds are wrapped in damp gauze. They are placed in a refrigerator for 3-5 days, making sure that the fabric remains damp.
Before hardening, tomato seeds are soaked for 2-3 days in water until 1-2% of seeds swell and germinate.Hardening is carried out with variable temperatures for 10-15 days: 10-12 hours at a temperature of 1-3 degrees, 10-12 hours at a temperature of 18-20 degrees.
Warming up
If tomato seeds were stored in a cold room, they are heated in a cloth bag on a battery for 3-4 days. Temperatures above 40 ° C destroy the sprouts and dry out the seeds. If the batteries are very hot, the seeds are heated in the oven, carefully monitoring the temperature. Store seeds do not need such events.
Dry tomato seeds are able to withstand a short-term large temperature range from -180 degrees to +85 degrees. Tomato seeds are heated for 4-6 hours at temperatures up to +50 degrees.
Enrichment of seeds with nutrients and active substances
For this, both purchased preparations ("Epin", potassium humate, boric acid) and folk remedies (aloe juice, potato juice) are used.
If drugs with a wide spectrum of action are used, such as "Epin", disinfection and feeding are carried out in one step. After 4-6 hours, the preparation of tomato seeds for sowing is completed.
Aloe juice is often used for enrichment. It has an antibacterial, disinfecting effect and perfectly nourishes future plants. The only disadvantage of this fertilizer is the duration of the preparation of the working solution.
Aloe leaves are cut into small pieces, dipped in a saucepan or other high container and kneaded well until porridge is formed, then 1 tbsp is added to a glass of water. l. chopped leaves and mix. The water is covered, placed in a dark, cool place for 1 week. After 7 days, the high concentration fertilizer is ready. Before use, the volume is brought to 5 liters. For dilution, use only boiled water at room temperature or distilled.
Of the growth stimulants for enriching seeds, succinic acid (15 mg per 1 l of water) and heteroauxin (25 mg per 1 l of water) are most often used.
Soak
Sometimes preparing tomato seeds for sowing requires pre-soaking. It is carried out if the seeds are old, stored for a long time. Seeds wrapped in a damp cloth are placed in a dark, warm place for 36-48 hours. For soaking, you can use a nutrient solution instead of water: this will keep the seeds strong.
Soaking is a long-known technique that helps to obtain seedlings earlier than from dry seeds. From this, harvesting begins 2-7 days earlier.
Germination
Gardeners use the seed germination technique. This allows you to determine which seeds will not germinate and remove them. Germination promotes rapid awakening and growth.
Seeds wrapped in gauze or thin cotton wool are immersed in water at room temperature until sprouts appear. You need to check the germination carefully so as not to tear off the delicate shoots. It is advisable to germinate in a warm place, keeping an eye on the level of moisture. As soon as the first shoots appear, the tomatoes are transplanted into the prepared soil.
Germination of tomato seeds is carried out at a temperature of +25 degrees. The duration of germination of tomato seeds is 4-5 days. Every day, the water in which the seeds are located is changed. It is much more difficult to plant sprouted tomato seeds in the ground than dry or just wet ones.
Bubbling
If the seed is already old, it is recommended to carry out bubbling (soaking in oxygen-enriched water).
Warm water is poured into the flask, the seeds are placed and one end of the hose is lowered. The other side is attached to the compressor (usually an aquarium compressor is used). Thus, air enters the water, and the seeds are constantly mixed. The procedure is carried out for 12 hours, then the treated seeds are dried.
Conclusion
A good and rich harvest of vegetables largely depends on the pre-sowing treatment. Preparing tomatoes for sowing can include one or more stages. It depends on the quality of the planting material.
High-quality seeds do not need additional processing before sowing: this adversely affects the microflora of the plant and its growth.