Often when growing seedlings, gardeners encounter various difficulties. Either the seeds do not germinate, then there is not enough space on the windowsill. And it happens that after sowing they do not emerge. Then they sow again, but already in handfuls, so that it is precisely sprouted. And soon a green thick brush appears on the surface. They quickly break through so that the plants do not stretch out. Well, the hassle with this seedling!
It turns out they themselves are to blame for their failures. After all, there is a Moscow method of growing seedlings. It is very convenient to use it in an apartment.
Landless method of growing seedlings
As the name implies, seedlings can be grown without the use of soil.
This is convenient because not everyone in February has harvested land. You can use much less seeds, because you do not need to break through them. But you have to spend a little time.
Another name for this interesting method is self-roll.
Seedlings in this way are obtained as follows:
- The polyethylene film is cut into long ribbons 10 cm wide.
- Two layers of toilet paper are laid on the film (if one is multilayer, then one is enough).
- Wet the film with water at room temperature.
- Having retreated a centimeter from the edge, spread the seeds through 1, 2 or 3 cm (depending on the crop) along the entire length of the tape.
- Repeat the procedure in the reverse order: cover with a layer of paper, moisten, if necessary, lay on top a layer of plastic film (you can without it).
- Carefully fold the tape into a roll, without pulling and not displacing the seeds, fix with an elastic band, thread or wire.
- Take a roll in the hand so that the seeds are at the top and put in a glass of water. It is advisable to add a growth stimulator. It protects against diseases, strengthens the immune system, reduces the period of engraftment.
- Water should not reach a level of seeds for a couple of centimeters.
- Sign the name of the variety so as not to forget.
- Cover the top with a film, but not tight, so that air passes.
- Water should be periodically changed to fresh so that mold does not start in the glass.
When the seeds germinate and green sprouts appear from the film, it is advisable to feed them with mineral fertilizers (humic for seedlings), reducing the dose by half against the usual method.
You need to repeat top dressing when the first real leaf is formed.
Planting
Act depending on the culture. If seedlings need to be dived, then you can use one of the following methods:
- Each sprouted seed is placed in a 20 × 20 cm film. A couple of spoons of prepared soil are added and wrapped so that the top is open. All pads set in one box. Water carefully, so as not to waterlog. Ten days before planting, add a spoonful of land.
- Sprouts are planted in separate cups or cassettes, while plants can be removed from paper or planted with it, after cutting the ribbon into pieces.
In the work, you can use tweezers, which will help not damage the plants.
If the seedlings do not need to dive, then it is planted immediately in the ground.
What is sown
The Moscow method of growing seedlings is not suitable for large seeds, for example, legumes, corn.
But for every little thing that is usually difficult to germinate, just right.
These are peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, cabbage, carrots, parsnips, onions. Many flowers, such as asters, petunia, viola, delphiniums.
You can germinate the seeds of cucumbers, gourds, but only for planting sprouted grains in the ground. If the leaves begin to form, then the plants take root very poorly.
Landless cultivation of strawberries
Strawberries, beloved by all, are usually grown from seedlings.
But often we meet seeds of various repairing varieties that we would like to have at home. After all, they do not form a mustache and delight with the harvest until late autumn. But since there are no shoots, then how can they be propagated? Collect seeds and germinate them.
Those who have tried to grow strawberry seedlings know that this is quite difficult to do. If the seeds are deepened into the ground, they will not sprout. And on top they dry up due to lack of moisture. Therefore, the Moscow method of growing strawberry seedlings will be most welcome. And when you consider that when growing strawberries from seeds , the diseases of this crop are practically not transmitted, then the benefit is twofold.
But first, the seeds need to be stratified for three months in moist, calcined sand at a temperature of 2-4 degrees. Sown in greenhouses in December, at home - in February.
You can put them in cassettes in one and a half, or even two months! A plant should have one or two true leaves by this time.
The advantages of the landless method
Seeds:
- germinate well;
- not affected by the black leg;
- take up less space.
Sowing tomatoes in boxes, put the seeds in the expectation that they will not sprout. And almost always get thickened seedlings. The Moscow method of growing tomato seedlings makes it possible to get rid of this problem. After all, all seeds are at equal distance from each other. And if any does not rise, then in a roll it will be imperceptible. When planting, you need to break off the third part of the root, so that a strong root system is formed.
disadvantages
Some sources claim that the Moscow method of growing seedlings does not allow you to grow plants with a well-formed root system.
They say that in a roll seedlings are not well lit. This leads to their stretching. Therefore, for plants requiring picking (tomato, pepper, cabbage), the Moscow method of growing seedlings is not the best. The feedback of many gardeners, however, suggests that they have successfully used this method for a long time and are very pleased with the result.
Growing Onion Seedlings
For many cold-resistant crops, this method is simply indispensable.
The Moscow method of growing onion seedlings allows you to easily get beautiful seedlings. They are planted in a permanent place along with a piece of paper. It is only necessary to correctly determine the sowing period so that it does not have to be planted in frozen ground. This is approximately the second week of April.
It should be noted that some sources claim that the landless method is not suitable for onions and other small-seeded crops. Perhaps the technology has been disrupted in some way.
Growing petunia seedlings
Conventional varieties of petunias breed themselves, giving spring a large amount of planting material. But with a charming variety of hybrids, there are often problems. No matter how hard you try, there are very few seedlings. Yes, and they soon fall, as mowed, struck by a black leg. The Moscow method of growing petunia seedlings helps to get the right amount of plants. Despite the fact that the flower is quite capricious in growing.
Perhaps the Moscow method of growing seedlings is not suitable for someone, and he gives preference to some other. But, of course, this method reliably took its place among others.