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Eggplant is an ancient culture that has been known to man for more than 15 centuries. Its homeland is Asia with a warm and humid climate. In temperate latitudes, they learned to cultivate eggplant relatively recently. This is due to the whimsicalness of the plant and the exactingness of special conditions. So, farmers in Our Country grow eggplant exclusively by seedlings. However, even at room conditions, a number of rules for caring for young plants should be observed so that by the time they dive into the ground they have sufficient viability and reserve of strength, resistance to diseases. To do this, every farmer must know how to water eggplant seedlings, what and at what time it is necessary to fertilize seedlings, what light regime is optimal for plants and how to create it correctly. All the indicated and additional key points for growing eggplant seedlings are described in detail in the article.
Time to sow
It is very important to sow eggplant seeds for seedlings in time. Each gardener must calculate the sowing date independently, taking into account the peculiarities of the climate of the region and the agrotechnical characteristics of the selected variety. So, in central Our Country, it is necessary to dive already grown seedlings into open ground in late May – early June. You can plant young eggplants in a greenhouse 2-3 weeks earlier. Suppose that it is decided to grow eggplants of the famous Almaz variety in open ground. The period from germination to active fruiting in unprotected conditions for this variety is 150 days. This means that the seeds for seedlings should be sown at the end of February, the plants should be dived into the ground in early June, when the age of the seedlings is 80-90 days. Such a cultivation schedule will allow you to be satisfied with the eggplant harvest, starting from the end of July to August inclusive.
If you have to grow an early ripe eggplant variety, for example, “Epic f1”, the fruiting period of which is only 64 days, then you need to sow seeds for seedlings at the end of April and plant plants in open ground at the age of 30-35 days.
seed preparation
It is believed that preplant seed preparation is optional. However, a certain set of manipulations at an early stage of cultivation makes it possible to select viable viable seeds and protect future eggplants from infection by pests and the development of diseases.
It is possible to destroy pathogenic bacteria and pest larvae from the surface of the seed using a concentrated manganese solution or special chemicals. So, the seeds should be immersed in a glass and poured with a disinfectant solution for 30 minutes. After the set time has elapsed, the water must be drained, the seeds thoroughly rinsed with running water.
At the stage of preparation for sowing, it is also recommended to soak the seeds in a nutrient solution. This measure speeds up their germination and makes future seedlings stronger and more productive. For such soaking, you can use a solution of nitrophoska: for 1 liter of water, 1 tsp. substances. Ready-made mineral mixtures for these purposes are also on sale. Soak the seeds in a nutrient solution should be throughout the day. After processing, the seeds are not washed.
Germination of seeds allows you to select viable specimens and speed up the process of growing eggplant. To do this, you need to place the eggplant seeds in a damp piece of cotton fabric or gauze. Wet material, with seeds wrapped inside, can be placed on a saucer or placed in a plastic bag. At the germination stage, the moisture level of the tissue and the temperature regime should be carefully monitored. At a temperature of +25-+300With eggplant seeds germinate in 9-10 days.
Sowing seedlings
The soil for growing eggplant seedlings should be nutritious and loose. So, for sowing a seed for seedlings, it is necessary to prepare a mixture of peat, humus and river sand. Additionally, fertilizer can be applied: for 3 liters of soil, 1 matchbox of superphosphate and a little wood ash. After mixing all the components, containers for growing seedlings are filled with a homogeneous mixture.
As a container for growing eggplant seedlings, it is better to use peat cups or tablets. In the absence of such containers, plastic cups and small plastic bags can be used. Drainage holes should be provided in them, which will ensure the removal of excess moisture and prevent rotting of the root system.
In each container filled with prepared soil, germinated eggplant seeds are immersed to a depth of 0,5-1 cm.
It is worth noting that some farmers prefer to sow seeds for seedlings in a single large container. When 2 true leaves appear, such eggplants dive into separate containers. An example of such growing seedlings is shown in the video:
It is worth noting that this method of growing has its drawbacks:
- in the process of transplantation, there is a high probability of damage to the eggplant root system;
- after picking, plants slow down their growth while adapting to new conditions;
- extraordinary picking of eggplant seedlings requires additional effort and time.
Considering the above shortcomings, experienced farmers do not recommend mass-sowing eggplant seeds in a single container, followed by an intermediate dive of seedlings into separate pots.
Seedling crops should be watered with warm water, covered with glass or polyethylene for the speedy germination of the seed. Place containers in a warm place with a temperature of about +250C. After the sprouts have hatched, seedling containers are placed on a warm, well-lit surface.
Watering
Eggplant seedlings, of course, need to be watered. Moreover, the volume and regularity of watering is very important, since excessively moist soil provokes the development of various diseases and rotting of the roots. Insufficient watering provokes premature stiffening of the stems, does not allow the plant to fully form ovaries and negatively affects crop yields.
The optimum soil moisture for growing eggplant seedlings is 80%. This suggests that eggplant seedlings should be watered as the soil dries out, approximately once a week. Adult plants consume more moisture: at the stage of flowering and the formation of ovaries, eggplant seedlings must be watered once every 1-1 days. For irrigation, it is recommended to use settled warm water, the temperature of which is more than +50C.
It is worth paying attention that for eggplants, not only watering the soil is important, but also air humidity. So, 65% humidity is the optimal indicator for the culture. You can adjust this parameter by spraying with warm water.
Two weeks before the proposed picking of plants into the ground, the given irrigation regime should be changed. During this time, you need to irrigate the land 1 time in 3-4 days.
Additional fertilizing
As a top dressing, you can use specialized mineral complexes or products prepared independently:
- Eggshell tincture. To prepare the infusion, you need to place the shells of 10 eggs in a three-liter jar and pour hot water. Within 5-6 days, the mixture should be stirred periodically and at the end of this time, strain, and then use to water the seedlings.
- tea infusion. Used tea leaves in the volume of one glass should be poured with hot water in a three-liter jar. After 5-6 days, the mixture should be filtered and used for watering eggplants.
- Mullein solution. In 10 liters of water, add 1 cup of mullein and a teaspoon of urea.
- Complex fertilizer. It can be purchased at a specialty store, or you can make your own by mixing a teaspoon of potassium sulfate with two tablespoons of superphosphate. Dissolve the resulting mixture in a bucket of water and use to water the seedlings.
The above funds for feeding eggplant seedlings can be alternated. Also, do not forget about wood ash, which can be periodically poured into the soil with seedlings. For 2-3 seedlings, there should be 1 teaspoon of the substance.
Hardening
2-3 weeks before planting eggplant seedlings in the ground, it is necessary to harden young plants. When the temperature outside exceeds +150Since there is no strong wind, pots with plants can be taken out into the street.
Subsequently, this period is gradually increased to full daylight hours.
Hardening is especially important for eggplants that will dive into open ground. This procedure allows plants to gradually adapt to the temperature and humidity characteristics of the atmosphere, exposure to direct sunlight.
Light mode
Eggplant seedlings are demanding on light conditions. So, the optimal duration of daylight hours for a culture is 12 hours. In the middle and especially in the northern part of Our Country, the spring day, as a rule, does not indulge in the sun, so eggplants must be illuminated with fluorescent lamps.
Seedlings, which are often grown on windowsills, are prone to stretching, and may lean to one side towards the light source. To prevent this situation, the pots need to be rotated regularly. Reflective materials, such as foil or mirrors, can be installed around the perimeter of the window sill.
Conclusion
It is not at all difficult to follow the described rules for growing eggplant seedlings. Even the most inexperienced gardener will surely cope with the task. At the same time, this technology allows you to grow healthy, strong plants that will take root in new conditions without any problems and will not significantly slow down their growth after picking. In gratitude for the care and efforts, soon after planting, eggplants will give their owner a bountiful harvest of tasty and healthy vegetables.