In our climate, which throws frosts “still” in May and “already” in September, you can grow good tomatoes only through seedlings. Thanks to this method, the "childhood" of tomatoes takes place in acceptable conditions and they get into the ground strong and prepared.
Growing tomato seedlings. Planting seeds.
First of all, it is necessary to determine the time of planting seeds. The reference is from the moment of transplanting seedlings into the ground. The optimal age of bushes produced in life is 50-60 days from the appearance of seedlings. That is, if there are probably no frosts in your area at the end of May, then we plant seeds at the end of March.
Soak the seeds. To do this, place them on a wet towel (you can use gauze or cloth), and also cover with a wet towel on top. Seeds should not float in water, but should be well moistened. Place the container with soaked seeds in a warm place (20-25 degrees) and wait for the seeds to hatch.
Preparing the landing site. It can be a tray with the earth, or separate plastic cups. The volume of the tray depends on the number of seeds. One seed should account for 1-2 square meters. see the earth. The depth of the layer is 7-10 cm.
It is easiest to buy land for seedlings in a specialized store. Before pouring the mixture into the tray, it makes sense to ventilate it. To do this, just hold the bag with the earth open for several hours.
Pour the earth into trays or cups, lightly tamp and moistur evenly.
As the seeds hatch (the process lasts 2-4 days), we transplant them into the ground. It is better to do this with a moistened stick, trying not to touch the seeds with your hands.
Sprinkle the seeds on top with a layer of dry earth (1-1.5 cm) and wait for the emergence of seedlings.
Growing tomato seedlings. Hardening.
About two days after sowing seeds from the ground, the first tomato sprouts should appear. From this moment seedlings need good lighting, so the trays are rearranged on the windowsill. If there is not enough light, the plant will stretch, spending all its small forces on the development of the stem. The root will remain undeveloped, which subsequently will adversely affect the yield of the bush.
After the shoots harden, straighten and grow, at the base of their cotyledonous leaves the rudiments of real tomato leaves will appear. In this state, the cultivation of tomato seedlings should be slightly "slowed down" by moving the trays to a cooler place (16-20 degrees). This will make the plants focus on the development of the root system.
Lighting should remain the same. Watering is moderate. Overfilling can provoke diseases of tomato seedlings.
Growing tomato seedlings. Pick
Pickling seedlings of tomatoes is made at the age of 2-3 weeks. Plants that have 2-3 normal leaves can be exposed to this procedure. The pick is done in order to provide the seedlings with normal conditions for growth. In other words, the plants are planted so that the root system of each of them has enough space. In this case, weak, sick or damaged sprouts are rejected.
Seedlings are carefully moved to a new place, being careful not to damage the roots and stalk. It is best to transplant seedlings, keeping a lump of land around the root system. The transplant should be done with gloves, because the temperature of human hands is too high for tender young plants.
Seedlings are transplanted into small pots (plastic cups). As the seedlings grow, they are again transplanted into larger pots. It is important to ensure that the roots of the tomatoes do not outgrow the volume provided to them.
After the pickling of tomato seedlings is made, it is necessary to continue the hardening of the tomato, arranging plants "cool walks".
We add solar to temperature hardening, gradually accustoming seedlings to the direct exposure to ultraviolet rays. To do this, periodically take out pots with seedlings to the street. We start with 30-40 minute sunbaths, then their duration is gradually increased.
You can start both temperature and solar hardening after you have confidence that the pick is safely survived by the plant. It usually takes 2-4 days.
Ideal for planting in the soil is considered tomato seedlings, which approached the moment of bud formation. It should not be lethargic or elongated.
And in conclusion, a few words about watering tomato seedlings. Earth should not be waterlogged. The most suitable option is generous infrequent watering.