How to grow tomato seedlings correctly

To grow seedlings of tomatoes is far from such a simple matter as it seems at first glance. The future harvest depends on the quality of seedlings. Weak, sickly seedlings, if they survive, will linger in growth and time will be missed, but to get a good harvest is valuable every summer day. So, before growing tomato seedlings, we need to figure out how this is done, this case (like any other) has its own subtleties and features.

Before you can properly grow tomato seedlings, you need to pick up containers for growing. You can sow the seeds first in a box, and then discard the seedlings in separate containers, or you can immediately sow 1-2 seeds in separate pots. For this purpose, dairy, trimmed bags and single, plastic or paper cups are suitable. But the best (but also the most expensive) will be peat briquettes and cups of rice paper (it decomposes in the ground). In this case the seedlings can be planted in a permanent place together with the container, it will be easier to survive. But there is also an opinion that it is useful to dive seedlings (this is done in the phase of 2-3 true leaves), while pinning the central spine, which stimulates its branching.

Next, you need to prepare the soil for sowing, usually take two parts of turf or garden soil and one part of the humus (completely repartition) and sand, two more cups of ash are added to the bucket of soil. Those who know how to properly grow tomato seedlings, add perlite or vermiculite to the soil for seedlings, they help to ensure air and water permeability of the soil. Seeds can be pre-soaked in a growth promoter solution.

Seeds of tomatoes best germinate at a temperature of + 22-25, so the containers with seedlings need to be placed in a warm (dark) place and covered with a film. As soon as the shoots appear, they need a maximum of light, without additional lighting there is no way. But the temperature should be lowered to 15-18 degrees, for a week, then the optimal temperature of growing 18-20 g. Sprouts are not watered often, water at room temperature.

But, if you seriously think about how to properly grow seedlings tomatoes, then you understand that all the recommendations on this matter are averaged, they can not take into account all your conditions. What is generally known about the needs of seedlings? The three main factors - light, heat and moisture, affect the plant in a complex manner and must be in balance. For example: if warm and moist, but not enough light, the plant actively consumes moisture and grows, but it stretches and turns pale (which is highly undesirable). If there is enough light and moisture, but, at the same time, it is cold, the plant slows growth and can not use water, as a result it rots or is affected by a "black leg". And if warm and light, but lacks water, the plant starts to grow and withers.

Correct will be guided by the weakest factor; If there is little light - reduce the temperature and watering. If it's cold - less watering (excess light does not hurt), well, and if there is enough light and heat, then the lack of watering is easy to eliminate. The same is with the humidity of the air, if the air is dry - you can water on the leaves, if wet - only under the root (young seedlings are conveniently watered with a tablespoon). In general, be careful and observant, this will tell you how to grow tomato seedlings in specific conditions.

For the prevention of fungal diseases, seedlings are sprayed with a mixture of skim milk and water; Half a cup of milk is bred per liter of water and sprinkled over the leaves, doing it better in the morning.

In the soil for seedlings, it is not necessary to add mineral fertilizers, young plants do not easily absorb them. Seedlings are often desirable to feed very (!) A weak solution of fertilizer with microelements (liquid fertilizer for flowers will do).

Late and indeterminate varieties are sown on seedlings a little early. But do not sow seedlings too early, if you think how to grow early tomatoes, then the main thing in this is to pick up an early variety.