Contents
Who among gardeners today does not dream of growing eggplants on their own plot? Let’s make a reservation right away that this is not as difficult as it might seem at first, but beginners can really have problems at the initial stage. There are rules for growing eggplant and the secrets of preparing seeds for planting. Let’s talk about this topic in more detail.
The main methods of growing crops
Eggplant, which came to us from India, is very loved by compatriots. This culture is thermophilic, does not tolerate drought and even short-term cooling, grows well on light and rich soils. Choosing the right environment for growing eggplant is half the battle.
There are two ways to grow eggplant:
- sow seeds in the ground;
- grow seeds for seedlings.
Due to the fact that the vegetative period of almost all eggplant varieties and hybrids is quite long, the first method is not used almost anywhere in Our Country. Seedling type of cultivation is what we will talk about below.
The optimum temperature for growing should be + 23-28 degrees during the day, + 17-20 at night.
The vegetative period from the moment the first shoots appear to the technical ripening of the fruit is on average 120 days, which is four calendar months. It is possible to achieve success in growing a crop in a seedless way only in the south of Our Country (in the Crimea, the Krasnodar Territory and a number of other regions) with sufficient care and well-prepared soil.
It is worth noting that even in the south, many gardeners are trying to grow this crop in seedlings. This is due to the capriciousness of eggplant, which many have heard of. So how do you prepare seeds for growing seedlings, and what secrets is important for a gardener to know?
Preparing seeds for growing
Each summer resident has his own secrets of disinfecting and soaking eggplant seeds before sowing. Let’s look at a few common ways that can be taken into account.
Growing eggplant is often compared to growing heat-loving bell peppers. Moreover, these two cultures can be neighbors in the garden, but they should not be each other’s predecessors. The quality of the seedlings depends on how well the work is done.
Terms of sowing
Speaking about the timing when it is necessary to sow eggplant seeds, it is worth focusing not on the inscriptions on the packages and not on advice on the Internet, but on the following circumstances:
- climatic features of the region;
- maturity of the variety as a whole;
- method of growing eggplant (in closed or open ground).
From the moment of sowing seeds to planting seedlings in the ground, 60-70 days pass. That is why certain conditions are very important in this matter.
The term for planting finished seedlings in the ground depends on the rate of maturation of the selected variety. Pay attention to it.
Soil for sowing seeds and the choice of containers
Earlier, we have already said that eggplant is a soil-demanding crop. For seedlings, it is required to specially prepare a mixture that will become optimal for growing seedlings. Today, many gardeners use peat tablets when growing eggplant seedlings. This is quite convenient, but you need to choose the right size and pH. In addition, do not allow drying, which is characteristic of them.
The optimal acidity for eggplant seedlings is 6,0-6,7. For the soil, this indicator is also required to withstand.
If you are going to plant in the ground, then its mixture should consist of:
- high-quality purchased soil (2 parts);
- peat (2 parts);
- calcined river sand (1 part);
- compost (2 parts).
You can add some wood ash and some superphosphate as a fertilizer. Everything is thoroughly mixed and filled into molds. Instead of molds, you can use plastic cups. The convenience lies in the fact that each seedling will be in a separate container, which will simplify its transplantation. The root system of eggplant is weak and capricious, it does not like picking, so transplanting in the summer should be as comfortable as possible for seedlings.
In this matter, it is important to plant different varieties of eggplant in different blocks of forms, so as not to get confused later. In addition, for all varieties and hybrids, the timing of the appearance of the first shoots varies.
Preparation of seeds for sowing
Gardeners begin to purchase seeds in winter. The peak season is January and February. In February, as a rule, they are already starting to land. Someone harvests seeds on their own, someone acquires them. The best way is to buy seed in specialized stores. You need to pay attention to the packaging, read everything that is written on it, including information about the variety or hybrid itself, as well as the expiration date.
Conscientious producers take a responsible approach to the issue: the seeds go through all stages of processing in advance, as a result, they do not need to be soaked and disinfected. They are sown in moist soil and watered from a sprayer so as not to wash the seeds, but this is the easiest option. We will analyze the process of preparing seeds for sowing, because situations are different.
It is not worth storing eggplant seeds for more than four years, since their germination is very poor.
Preparation of eggplant seeds for sowing seedlings includes the following main steps:
- disinfection;
- growth stimulator treatment;
- germination.
The last item is not used by all gardeners; it can be omitted, being sure that the seed is of high quality. The preparation of eggplant seeds begins with disinfection. Consider two ways that are easy to implement in practice.
Method No. 1
It consists in carrying out thermal and chemical treatment according to the following scheme:
- Eggplant seeds are placed in very warm water (+50-52 degrees Celsius) and kept in it for 25-30 minutes, not removed from a warm place so that the water does not cool down quickly.
- Then immediately the eggplant seeds are moved for 2-3 minutes in cold water.
- A solution of potassium humate (sodium can be) is prepared in advance as 0,01%, the seeds are kept in it for at least a day at room temperature.
Method No. 2
This is perhaps the best-known method for disinfecting eggplant seeds today. It was also used by our grandmothers. The scheme is this:
- A solution of potassium permanganate (1,5%) is prepared in advance, eggplant seeds are soaked in it for 30 minutes.
- Seeds are washed in water, carrying out all procedures at room temperature.
Additionally, you can place the seeds in the Epin solution, acting according to the instructions. The disadvantage of the second method is that the infection can remain inside the seeds.
After disinfecting eggplant seeds, you can proceed to processing with modern means that promote the growth and strengthening of seedlings.
The following tools can be used as a growth indicator for eggplant:
- “Novosil”;
- “Ideal”;
- Baikal EM1.
If these are not available, the store will definitely recommend a good remedy. By treating seeds with a growth indicator, you can safely refuse to germinate. Otherwise, it is necessary to place the seed in wet gauze and wait for seedlings.
We draw the attention of gardeners to another important detail: eggplant seeds have a hard shell and a protective film that prevents germination. In nature, the seeds fall into the soil and can germinate in the fall, however, this does not happen precisely due to the presence of this film. For this reason, seedlings in February-March can be expected for a very long time, so the use of a growth indicator or soaking is fully justified.
Below is a good video on preparing eggplant seeds:
Seeds of each variety are planted in grooves or small depressions according to the recommendations indicated on the package. This is usually 2 mm. You can use a toothpick for this.
Practical tips for growing seedlings
When the preparation of eggplant seeds for sowing is completed, they must be placed in cups. In addition to the means listed above, an abundance of light will affect rapid growth. If we talk about ideal conditions, then eggplant seedlings should be 12 hours in the sun, and 12 hours in a dark place at a low temperature. These conditions mimic the temperature differences that plants will soon encounter.
If there is little sunlight in the region, then the seedlings will have to be illuminated. This requires a phytolamp. We draw attention to the fact that with a lack of illumination, eggplant seedlings stretch out, and the stems become thinner.
Another important nuance is watering: you can not use cold water for this. It is required to defend the day and adhere to room temperature. The fact is that cold water can become a source of infections and viruses that will destroy young immature eggplant sprouts. The soil should not dry out, but the seedlings will not stand in the water, but will quickly die.
Eggplant is a rather capricious plant, it loves humidity, heat and lighting. That is why all the time, from sowing to transplanting into the ground or greenhouse, you need to adhere to certain growing rules. By following the advice that is indicated on the package, you can achieve a truly rich harvest.