How to prepare tomato seeds for planting on seedlings

Sowing and growing season Tomatoes begins long before summer work. The first and main stage of growing the crop is to prepare the tomato seeds for planting on seedlings.

Preparing tomato seeds for planting on seedlings

If you do not observe the pre-sowing treatment of planting material, seedlings develop poorly and this negatively affects the yield.

Selection of seeds for planting

Preparation of tomato seeds for sowing for seedlings begins with the selection of planting material. All seeds are carefully examined. Seeds unsuitable for planting:

• uneven;
• dried or discolored;
• with mold or bloom;
• small.

Only a healthy planting seed gives a healthy plant. All unsuitable seeds are thrown away, and the remaining ones are dipped in saline: 1 tbsp. l salt for 1 tbsp. water. Full seeds sink to the bottom, and those that remain on the surface do not recommend sowing: they are empty. After selection, the seeds are washed under running water and dried. Long contact with salt water is undesirable. Salt is an aggressive element for delicate tomatoes.

During the winter, the seeds may 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.

Seed disinfection

The next important step in preparing tomato seeds for sowing is the disinfection or dressing of planting material. This stage is mandatory if the tomato seeds are old, collected from the garden or if there are obvious signs of fungus (mold, plaque, etc.).

For disinfection use:

• solution potassium permanganate;
• 3% hydrogen peroxide solution;
• ready-made chemicals.

For disinfection in a solution of potassium permanganate take 1 g of potassium permanganate and combined with 1 liter of water. The liquid becomes raspberry, but not dark. The seeds are wrapped in gauze and kept for 20 minutes, then thoroughly washed and dried.

To disinfect with perhydrol, take the usual peroxide solution, bought in a pharmacy, and heat it to 40 ° C. The seeds wrapped in cheesecloth are lowered for 7-8 minutes, then they are washed and dried.

Phytosporin, Epin, Novosil, Mikrasa are more convenient and effective means for dressing. They not only disinfect seeds, but also stimulate growth and prevent late blight of tomatoes and other diseases.

Seed hardening

Hardening increases immunity

Hardening is recommended for varieties that will be planted in early spring. This will increase their immunity, and the seeds will be able to tolerate changes in spring temperature.

Before sowing, tomato seeds are wrapped in wet gauze. They are placed in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, making sure that the tissue remains moist.

Before hardening, tomato seeds are soaked in water for 2-3 days until they swell and germinate 1-2% seed. Hardening is carried out at 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 the tomato seeds were stored in a cold room, they are heated in a fabric bag on the battery for 3-4 days. A temperature above 40 ° C destroys the sprouts and overdries the seeds. If the batteries are very hot, the seeds are warmed up in the oven, carefully monitoring the temperature. Store seeds do not need such events.

Dry tomato seeds can withstand a short-term large temperature range from -180 degrees to +85 degrees. Tomato seeds are heated for 4-6 hours at a temperature of up to +50 degrees.

Enrichment of seeds with nutrients and active substances

For this purpose, both purchased preparations (Epin, potassium humate, boric acid) and folk remedies are used (aloe juice, potatoes).

If you use drugs with a wide spectrum of action, such as Epin, disinfection and top dressing are carried out in one step. After 4-6 hours, the preparation of tomato seeds for sowing is completed.

Often, aloe juice is used for enrichment. It has an antibacterial, disinfecting effect and perfectly nourishes future plants. The only drawback of this fertilizer is the length of preparation of the working solution.

Aloe leaves are cut into small pieces, lowered into a pot or other high capacity and knead well until porridge is formed, then 1 tbsp. Is added to a glass of water. l chopped leaves and mix. Cover the water, put in a cool dark place for 1 week. After 7 days, the high concentration fertilizer is ready. Before use, the volume is adjusted to 5 liters. For breeding, only boiled water at room temperature or distilled is used.

Of the growth stimulants, succinic acid (15 mg per 1 liter of water) and heteroauxin (25 mg per 1 liter of water).

Soaking

Sometimes, preparing tomato seeds for sowing requires preliminary soaking. It is carried out if the seeds are old, stored for a long time.Wrapped in moist tissue, seeds are placed in a dark, warm place for 36-48 hours. For soaking, you can use a nutrient solution instead of water: this way the seeds retain their strength.

Soaking is a well-known technique that helps to produce seedlings that are earlier than dry seeds. Harvesting starts 2-7 days earlier.

Sprouting

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.

Wrapped in gauze or cotton wool, seeds are dipped in water at room temperature until sprouts appear. It is necessary to check germination carefully so as not to tear off delicate sprouts. It is advisable to germinate in a warm place, monitoring 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. Planting germinated tomato seeds in the ground is much more difficult than dry or just soaked.

Bubbling

If the seed is already old, it is recommended to sparge (soaking in oxygen-enriched water).

Pour warm water into the flask, place the seeds and lower one end of the hose. The second side is attached to the compressor (usually use an aquarium compressor). 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 crop of vegetables depends largely on pre-sowing treatment. Preparing tomatoes for sowing can include either one stage or several. It depends on the quality of planting material.

High-quality seeds do not need additional processing before sowing: this adversely affects the microflora of the plant and its growth.