Rules for growing tomato seedlings for a greenhouse

It’s not always possible in the domestic climate grow early vegetables. In order for the fruits on the plant to ripen, structures from polycarbonate or film are needed. What does a gardener need to know in order for tomato seedlings for a greenhouse to develop without problems? We will analyze in detail the most important stages of tomato cultivation.

Rules for growing tomato seedlings for the greenhouse

Sowing seedlings

To To grow a strong vegetable plant, you need to plant the seeds correctly. Bushes for indoor structures must be healthy, which will allow them to develop without problems when the temperature or light is reduced. The crop depends on how all the requirements are met.

Preparatory procedures

The first step is to determine the seed. Not every variety is suitable for cultivation in closed conditions, so the corresponding mark must be found on the label. Such plants can easily withstand insufficient lighting with increased humidity.

Before planting, the seeds are soaked in fungicide, then in the growth activator (Epin, Zircon), and then left in a damp cloth for germination.Professional hybrids do not need such procedures. Most often, the raw materials have already been pelleted, covering the material with a protective and nutritious shell. In this case, the work is carried out directly in the tank with soil.

Tatyana Orlova (candidate of agricultural sciences):

For cultivation in sheltered soil, they are mainly used F1 hybrids of intensive type. These are only indeterminate (tall) plants that cover the entire volume of the greenhouse. They are distinguished by high productivity, a long fruiting period, good fruit quality, and resistance to a number of viral and fungal infections.

Planting rules

Tomato seedlings for greenhouses are accepted grow in special cassettes or peat glasses. As a soil mixture suitable land marked “For tomatoes.” Seeds are planted to a depth of 1.5 to 2 cm: the thicker the soil layer above the seeds, the longer the seedlings will germinate. Sometimes plants do not wake up at all, which is why they have to be re-sowed, losing valuable time.

Tomato containers are sprayed with water from a spray bottle, covered with polyethylene and left in a warm, bright place. For the culture to hatch, a temperature in the range of 22 ° C to 24 ° C is needed. Both in a cold room and during heat, the plants will not wake up.

How to choose the time for planting tomato seedlings for a greenhouse? Depending on the variety, each bush develops at home for 45-60 days, after which the seedlings are transferred to a constant place of growth. Recommended agricultural work is best started no earlier than February, when the length of the day increases. According to the sowing calendar, the period of the growing moon is selected.

Seedling Care

After the seedlings appear, the film is removed, and the temperature is reduced to 18-20 ° C and the lighting is increased . In this case, the seedlings do not stretch and do not outgrow. It is advised to carry out the illumination with a phytolamp.

Watering

When growing tomato seedlings for greenhouses, it is important to maintain optimal soil moisture. With a deficit of irrigation, seedlings slowly develop and poorly form the root system. If you increase the frequency and volume of watering, there is a likelihood of such dangerous ailments as the black leg.

It is forbidden to irrigate tomatoes with cold water, otherwise the seedlings will become ill. Water is heated to room temperature (20 ° C), leaving a container near the heating devices. Professionals advise to water the seedlings 3 times:

• after the appearance of all shoots;
• after 2 weeks;
• before diving.

Conditions are not always suitable for such a scheme. Most often, plants are grown on the windowsill in the apartment, because of which the soil dries quickly.Before the procedure, the soil is always checked with a match: if the surface is wet, the irrigation is tolerated.

Feeding

Young seedlings need to be saturated with nutrients

Tomatoes are a very voracious crop, therefore, nutrients must be added to the main growth site. The first procedure is carried out 10 days after emergence. Due to the unformed root system, earlier applications will not bring any benefit.

How to fertilize tomato seedlings for indoor structures? During this period, any complex means are suitable. So that the solution does not harm the roots, the seedlings are pre-watered, after which they are applied. It is important to adhere to the recommended concentration and not to increase the dose. Events are repeated every 2 weeks and 10 days before transplanting to the main growth site.

Planting in a greenhouse

Transferring a plant to new conditions is often a shock to him. So that the culture does not hurt and develop normally, it is important to conduct all procedures correctly. The more attention paid to tomatoes, the faster they adapt.

Hardening

At least 2 weeks before tomato seedlings are in the greenhouse, it is necessary to harden. In the early days, only open the window during the day, cooling the air at the pots. Gradually, plants can be taken out to a glazed balcony or veranda.

After 7 days, the first acquaintance with the rays of the sun is allowed. So that the seedlings do not wither, pre-moisten the soil. If the bushes become violet-blue, the culture is hardened. 3 days before planting in the greenhouse, the seedlings are sprayed with boron solution and left overnight in a cool room.

Preparation of the greenhouse

The design for vegetables should be ready in advance. The landowner must thoroughly wash all surfaces and disinfect the soil, polycarbonate. It is better not to delay the work, but to do it as soon as possible.

Most often, a solution of Bordeaux mixture or copper sulphate is used as a treating agent. These substances are very toxic, so all manipulations are carried out in protective clothing. You can start planting tomato seedlings in the greenhouse after 5 days.

The beds in the room are broken up a week before the start of work. Nutritious soil mixed with peat and humus is added to each row. To make the soil loose, sawdust and coarse sand are poured into the mixture. Before digging, 1 tbsp. l potassium sulfate and 2 – superphosphate.

The beds are conveniently arranged in the form of 2-3 separate strips or in the form of letters P or III, unfolded with legs to the entrance.

Optimal the width of the beds is at least 60 cm. The distance between the rows is from 0.5 m, although the passage is made individually so that it does not hamper the freedom of movement and does not interfere with weeding in the structure.Greenhouse surfaces should be warm, so the owners raise them with the soil 20-40 cm.

Planting

When planting, follow the recommendations

Before starting work, you need to dig holes. The depth of the pits is the height of the pot plus 2 cm. A layer of drainage, fertilizer is poured onto the bottom, after which the bed is watered. The bottom 3 leaves are cut off from the seedlings, then they go on to the main job.

Before planting in the ground, they gently tap on the bottom of the container. Adult seedlings reach a height of at least 25 cm, and it is vertically deepened into the soil. Plants that extend up to 40 cm are advised to plant a little at an angle, while leaving the stem straight.

After the bushes are planted, they are thoroughly irrigated. To facilitate future care and provide good aeration to the underground parts, seedlings are advised to mulch. To do this, a layer of sawdust and compost is poured around.

Care in the greenhouse

It is not enough just to plant the plants in a covered structure, it is necessary to ensure proper agricultural technology. Tomato planting needs special measures to provide bushes with a long fruiting period. If you skip at least one stage, this will affect the abundance of the crop.

Garter and shaping

After 2 weeks after transplanting seedlings to a constant place of growth, you can begin an important procedure. For growing in a greenhouse, tall plants are most often offered, which must be fixed on the trellis. The culture is formed into one stem, leaving 8 brushes for development. Stepsons, except for the bottom one next to the flowers, are removed from the sinuses of the foliage.

One of the easiest ways to tie is the peg procedure. A wooden stick is hammered near the bush, to which the stem is gently attached with twine (cloth tape). So that the plant does not get sick, the material is pre-soaked in any fungicide.

For taller tomatoes, you can build a trellis. On both sides of the beds they dig in a thick bar. Between them pull a rope or wire, on which the plant is then fixed. As culture develops, it braids the structure as it suits it.

Tatyana Orlova (candidate of agricultural sciences):

Indeterminate tomatoes are grown with a twine garter. The twine should be strong enough, because it will hold crop weight up to 10 kg. The lower end of the twine is tied with a free loop under the first real leaves, the upper end is fixed on the transverse beams (structures) of the greenhouse.As the tomato stalk grows, they carefully wrap it around the twine.

Fertilizers

Growing vegetables requires the gardener to regularly make mineral and organic substances. To ensure proper nutrition, tomato seedlings in the greenhouse must be fed at least three times. All procedures are carried out after irrigation and loosening of the earth.

The first application is carried out 3 weeks after landing at a constant place of development. The ideal ideal complex remedy (no more than 20 ml) or 2 tablespoons of nitrophoska with a quarter cup of mullein is suitable. Drugs are diluted in a bucket of liquid, after which they are poured per liter under each bush.

The second feeding occurs after 10 days. To do this, use any potash fertilizer. The third mandatory procedure is completed in 12 days. You will need a spoonful of superphosphate with a third can of wood ash, which is bred and carefully poured under each vegetable. During the growing season, leaf entries are allowed, especially before harvesting.

Tatyana Orlova (candidate of agricultural sciences):

Tomato is a multi-crop culture. And the fruiting period of the tomato in the greenhouse stretches for several months. Therefore, tomatoes need to be fed more often than 3 times so that the fruits do not grow smaller and remain large enough and tasty.

Pollination

Tomato is a self-pollinating crop. But in order to help the plants in the greenhouse, in the daytime in warm weather, flower brushes are gently shaken. After that, they must be sprayed with warm water from a small spray bottle, after 2 hours the room is aired.

Waterlogged soil causes condensation to accumulate on the polycarbonate. Such an oversight during flowering leads to the fact that tomatoes reduce the concentration of sugar in the fruit, which affects the taste characteristics. After the buds open, irrigation can be reduced and a constant temperature of 20-22 ° C can be maintained in the greenhouse.

Protection against frost

Many farmers seek an early harvest, therefore seedlings are planted before the onset of sustained heat. To warm the soil, it is necessary to prepare special beds in the autumn. To do this, ditches are covered with compost, covered with soil from above and compacted. By the time it is necessary to transfer the plants to the greenhouse, the earth will acquire a natural heating.

If severe frosts are expected at night, a special material will help save the seedlings – lutrasil. He is thrown over the trellis, covering the landing. The heat from the beds will warm the root system of the bushes, and polyethylene will not let it out. After the cold weather is over, the shelters are removed and the building is aired.

To get a plentiful harvest, you need to know all the requirements of a vegetable crop. If you understand what to do when growing tomato seedlings for a greenhouse, the plant will thank you with delicious fruits.