Contents
The list of crops grown by gardeners in Siberia is constantly expanding thanks to breeders. Now you can plant eggplants on the site. Rather, not only plant, but also harvest a decent harvest. At the same time, the choice of a variety for sowing will not cause great difficulties. For a region with characteristic climatic conditions, you will have to pay attention to some parameters:
- Maturation period. A short summer dictates its own rules and the choice will have to be made among early hybrids or eggplant varieties. They will have time to ripen and provide summer residents with a good harvest.
- Variety choice. Preference should be given to varieties with high resistance to temperature extremes and its low values. Be sure to take into account all the characteristics of the variety according to the description.
- Powerful eggplant seedling. One of the main components of success.
- Soil heating. To ensure this parameter, many grow eggplants in high beds, under double quality cover.
In addition, there are nuances of growing eggplant in Siberia, which summer residents willingly share with each other. Eggplant is considered a very healthy vegetable that contains a lot of nutrients, has a low calorie content and a great taste of the fruit.
When to sow eggplant for seedlings
Solving this issue is very easy. The sowing time is determined by the time of planting seedlings in open ground or for permanent residence.
Many gardeners, in order to be safe, grow eggplants in Siberia only in greenhouses. And bold lovers of experiments do an excellent job with this task in the open field. It depends not only on experience, choice of seeds and care, but on a well-chosen time for sowing seeds for seedlings. When to sow eggplant seedlings this year? How to correctly calculate this period?
The rest of the calculation depends on the region in which the eggplant will be grown. If you plant a zoned eggplant variety, then without a greenhouse they feel much better than peppers. This is due to the fact that they are more cold-resistant and love the active movement of air.
But for planting seedlings in the ground, the soil must warm up to + 20º, which happens, on average, on June 10.
Of course, the date cannot be very precise, as the weather conditions are very changeable. Taking into account all the errors, we determine the time for sowing eggplant seeds for seedlings – the second half of February or the first decade of March.
Choosing the right type of eggplant
As mentioned above, seeds of early hybrids or eggplant varieties should be sown on seedlings. This will protect against discrepancies in the timing of the ripening of the culture and the climatic conditions of Siberia. Experienced gardeners recommend opting for eggplant in Siberia:
“Purple Wonder F1”
Early, with a high yield and stable characteristics. Suitable for growing in greenhouses and outdoors. The bush is compact, which is important for small areas and up to 90 cm high. It is valued by gardeners for the absence of thorns on the calyx, resistance to diseases and against pests. Housewives love for excellent taste with any method of preparation.
“Nutcracker F1”
Super early, matures in 45 days. It is valued for unpretentiousness to growing conditions, constant fruit formation, adaptability to long-term transportation. It grows well in the open air, in a greenhouse. Medium growing and spreading plant. Must be taken into account when choosing a landing pattern.
“Robin the Hood”
Low-growing, sprawling plant with a bush height of up to 1 meter. Eggplant planting density is recommended – no more than 5 plants per square meter. Slightly thorny pear-shaped fruits have an excellent taste. The advantage of the variety is its high adaptive capacity, which leads to the formation of fruits in any conditions. Can be grown with equal success in any soil. Suitable for salting and pickling.
“Matrosik”
A mid-season variety of eggplant, but manages to give a good harvest of original fruits. Bush up to 75 cm high, semi-spreading. The fruits are striped, beautiful and tasty. Eggplant “Matrosik” is resistant to diseases, which makes it possible to grow it in Siberia.
“Diamond”
A very well-known medium variety of eggplant, with good parameters. Zoned for almost all regions. Successfully grows in Siberia. Compact bush, stable harvest, unpretentiousness and excellent taste of fruits. What else do you need for a gardener?
Among the suitable varieties for Siberia, it is worth noting the early “Epik” and “Early 148”, the middle “Black Handsome”.
The variety is selected, we proceed to the next important stage – sowing.
How to prepare eggplant seeds for seedlings
We highlight this point in a separate chapter because this is one of the important stages in growing strong seedlings. Properly sowing seeds is a requirement for all crops. Eggplant is no exception. Before buying seeds for seedlings, carefully read the information about the variety.
- The letter F1 indicates belonging to the group of hybrids of the first generation. Such eggplants are resistant to diseases, tolerate climatic fluctuations well, and give a stable harvest. The disadvantage of hybrids is that seeds retain their characteristics only in the first generation. The next year you will have to buy new ones to get the same result.
- The package must contain the details and contacts of the manufacturer.
- Be sure to check the end date of implementation. Recommendations on the timing of sowing and planting varieties, the main nuances of agricultural technology can also be indicated there.
After the purchase, do not rush to sow immediately. First, we check the seeds for germination. With elite hybrid eggplants, you can skip this point. But personally assembled or bought on the market, it does not interfere with checking.
For this they need soak, But not all. Take a few pieces from a batch or pack, soak for 12 hours. Then place in a damp cloth (gauze) and put in a warm place. If half of the seeds are good, then your planting material is of good quality.
In stores, eggplant seeds are kept in a dry room and at a low temperature. Therefore, they will have to be heated either dry or hydrothermally. The first option is carried out for 2 days at a temperature of +40º. Hydrothermal – in warm water for 15 minutes, immersing the seeds. Some gardeners use a thermos for this purpose. This significantly reduces the time of the procedure. Water temperature +50º, diving time – 5 minutes.
Next stage – pickling. We place the seeds in a potassium permanganate solution of a not very saturated color and hold for half an hour. An alternative way is to place in a solution of hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes (3 ml of peroxide per 100 g of warm water). This procedure protects eggplant seeds from pathogens.
And lastly, carry out hardening. The seeds are kept in a damp cloth for a week. During the day they are in the room, and at night they are placed in the refrigerator.
Do not be afraid of such a large number of preparatory procedures. They are quite simple, but useful for eggplant. When everything is done, you can start sowing.
We sow eggplants correctly
In order for further actions to lead to a good result, you will have to take care of high-quality soil and containers for eggplant seedlings.
The soil can be prepared in the following composition:
- sod land – 1 part;
- peat – 2 parts;
- sawdust brewed with boiling water – 0,5 parts,
The second option is ready-made purchased land for seedlings, black soil and sand in equal quantities. Good to add fertilizer. For 10 liters of finished soil make:
- superphosphate – 20 g;
- ash – 30 g;
- potassium sulfate – 5 g;
- urea – 5 g.
Before sowing eggplant seeds for seedlings, calcine the soil or pour boiling water with potassium permanganate.
Landing container requirements:
- There should be a hole at the bottom of the tank for water to drain.
- Do not use containers for dairy products.
- Do not sow a change of eggplant of different ripening periods in one planting box. They differ in terms of germination and care requirements.
The container is filled with soil to 3/4 of the volume, then it is moistened. Place the seed and sprinkle with earth. Water again, cover with foil and place in a warm place.
If you have never planted eggplant seedlings, do a small rehearsal with a small amount of seeds for the first time a couple of weeks before the recommended date.
The date when to plant eggplant seedlings in Siberia is chosen based on the soil in which the vegetables will grow.
The easiest way to do this is in a greenhouse or in a greenhouse. The thermal regime for seedlings will be provided. Eggplants are hygrophilous. Watering and nutrition are another important conditions for the growth of seedlings. Seedlings up to 25 cm high, with nine leaves and small buds are considered to be of high quality.
The main difficulties that gardeners encounter when growing eggplant seedlings in Siberia are stretching, yellowing and falling plants. It cannot be said that sowing is the most difficult operation. The main attention will be needed while observing the temperature regime, humidity. In addition, eggplant seedlings must have sufficient lighting and nutrition so that the seedlings do not stretch.
Be sure to harden tender eggplant seedlings, preparing them for the conditions of Siberia. Hardening is done gradually. First, open access to street air for a short time, then lengthen it. More mature eggplant seedlings are taken out for a short time to fresh air. Before landing, leave for the whole day, then for the night. All these procedures are necessary when growing outdoors.
Seedlings with a shorter adaptation period are planted in greenhouses. You can take the container with seedlings into the greenhouse, gradually lengthening the time, and then plant them in prepared ridges.
The soil in which eggplant seedlings are planted is prepared in advance. Be sure to maintain the optimal scheme for the variety and planting density.
For the first time after transplantation, the seedlings are shaded so that the sun’s rays do not lead to burns or death of the seedlings. But for further development, a sunny place is just the way.
In greenhouses, ventilation is constantly required, even on cloudy days. It is especially recommended to do this after watering to reduce air humidity.
In Siberia, eggplant seedlings may face another nuisance – insects. The seedlings are attacked by the Colorado potato beetle, spider mite and other enemies of the nightshade. Greenhouse whitefly is added to greenhouses. Effective means of struggle are “Confidor” and “Barrier”.
Conclusion
We have considered the main issues, it remains to apply all this information in practice. Having withstood all the requirements, you can grow healthy, powerful and high-quality eggplant seedlings even in such a harsh region as Siberia.
