Planting seeds for seedlings in February. Seedlings of tomatoes

Any experienced horticulturist knows that planting seeds for seedlings in February will take place in low light conditions, and the temperature on the windowsill (the usual place for containers with plants) will be low.

Soil preparation work

Growing seedlings from seeds requires careful preparation of the soil. An ideal way for inexperienced farmers is the purchase of a universal soil, which is just created for growing seedlings.

The most economical will be self-preparation of soil mixtures. To do this, you can use previously prepared compost from the garden, leaf litter, river (preferably) or any sand, common ground. Mixing proportions depend on the culture being grown and the stage of work with the seedlings.

Gardeners (even experienced) need to remember that planting seeds for seedlings in February is always a big risk if the soil is prepared incorrectly. Particularly dangerous is the defeat of the "black leg", in which all the seedlings may have to be thrown out. To prevent this from happening, the soil should be roasted in the oven (at least half an hour), then disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.

It is necessary to remember: growing seedlings in February, it needs to provide illumination and warm air.

Where can I get good seeds?

Usually in February truck farmers plant tomato seeds for greenhouses. These plants have a long growing season, by the time the seedlings are transferred to the greenhouse, the tomato must yield at least one flower.

To be on time, usually already from the first decade of February, to begin work on planting seeds, they must first be purchased.

Some truck farmers work with their own seeds, focusing on certain varieties that have been tested by time for germination and yield.

Usually, amateur gardeners buy seeds in specialized departments of supermarkets, small shops, or even at the hawkers.

Advanced gardeners order seeds of tomatoes for seedlings through websites of seed-growing firms, specializing in the cultivation of ordinary and elite seeds. This method involves buying a month before working with seedlings - this time should be taken into account, as well as the fact that the order must be for a certain amount.

Seed preparation

To seedlings from seed was strong, you need to conduct a number of necessary actions.

1. Sorting. Put the seeds in the water. Those seeds that do not drown after a while may not be viable. It is better not to count on them.

2. Hardening of seeds. There are several time-tested ways:

• Soak the seeds in a canvas bag, put it for five days in the refrigerator (not in the freezer, but on the middle shelf).
• Wrapping the seeds in a rag, alternately five to seven times dunk them in a cold (below ten degrees), then in a hot (slightly more than fifty degrees) water.

3. Disinfection. To prevent disease, the seeds should be washed with a pink solution of potassium permanganate.

4. Soaking. For this process, several methods are recommended, you just need to remember that the temperature should be at least 25 degrees:

• Put the seeds in an aqueous solution (1: 2000) of liquid fertilizer "Baikal EM-1" for 12 hours. Germination of seeds will increase from 10 to 60%.
• Place the seeds for a day or two before swelling into ordinary water, wrapping them in gauze.

How to grow seedlings from seeds?

The prepared seed should be germinated. Planting seeds for seedlings in February involves the use of three variants of germination:

• Traditional - seeds sprout immediately in the soil mixture after soaking.
• Germination by soaking.
• Sprouting in peat tablets.

Each option has features to understand which method suits you, you need to try to take advantage of all. If several varieties of tomatoes are germinated at once, it is necessary to separate them, since each has its own growth characteristics and dimensions.

The traditional way of germination

A soil mixture is prepared. The universal purchased soil is poured into a prepared container (no more than 20x20 cm in size at the bottom, not more than 5 cm in height). The proportions for the unpublished soil: compost - 10 parts, sand - 10 parts, ordinary soil - 20 parts. Leafy litter is not needed.

Pour the soil mixture in a container to a height of not more than four centimeters, shedding until it gets wet. Allow to stand until full excess fluid leaks.

Pave grooves at a distance of no more than 2 cm, put seeds in them, sprinkle with a thin layer of soil (no more than 2-3 mm), sprinkle a little with water.

Place the container under the glass or in a plastic bag. Seeds appear within five to seven days.

Some gardeners for germination use large-sized seedlings.

Soaking until germination

Put seeds in any small container, wrapped in a napkin, pour on the bottom of warm water (25 degrees). Water should not cover seeds - they need oxygen.

To protect against drying, place in a bag. Place near the radiator. Periodically aerate and browse for roots. In three or four days the seeds will germinate.

They should be placed one by one in prepared small (100 ml) cups for seedlings or in wide ones for several pieces.

Compared with the traditional way, this immediately gives an opportunity to know how much seedlings will grow. Plants in small cups are formed separately, and from the point of view of possible diseases they are easier to protect and discard.

Sprouting in peat tablets

For germination in this way it is better to take the smallest tablets. They need to be placed in a container with water until completely swollen. Then gently in the center make a small groove, put one seed, sprinkle a little (peel) peat from the pill.

Put the pills with seeds of one kind into a deep container (up to seven centimeters high), put in a bag. Ensure that the tablets do not dry out by constantly adding water. Keep the temperature in the container at least 25 degrees (place near the radiators).

The appearance of germs can be expected no later than seven days. The development and growth of seedlings in a pill is possible up to one month, not more. After that, they need to be placed (entirely, without removing the shell from the peat) in a large seedling pot.

This method does not allow truncation of the roots for the development of additional ones, as many gardeners do. But seedling tomato with this method grows no less sturdy, with the same branched root system, as with the traditional method of germination. The only drawback of this method may not be a one hundred percent increase in each tablet (it can be used for other types of seedlings).

Works on the formation of mature seedlings

Planting seeds for seedlings in February suggests that by the end of February - mid March plants should be transplanted in a larger container. With the traditional method of sprouting seedlings, a tomato requires a dive after the appearance of two real leaves.

To do this, prepare cups of medium (200 ml) volume (do not forget to make a few holes at the bottom, if the cups are polyethylene or from dairy products). Put them in a container to drain excess liquid, pour the soil mixture, shed.

As always, you can use the universal soil, although this is a fairly costly option - it needs a lot. You can prepare the soil yourself. The proportions should be as follows; Leaf litter - 20 parts, compost - 20 parts, sand - 10 parts, ordinary soil - 20 parts. Mix everything.

Seedlings in the container must be pre-shed. Their roots should be separated without difficulty with a clod of earth from the container. The roots of each plant can be trimmed neatly by not more than one third, placed in a glass, pour the soil mixture. Do not forget to water so that the roots are straightened.

Piquing plants involves the build-up of additional root mass in a natural way. But you can use any purchased rooting agent.

What flowers can be germinated in February?

Before planting the plants in the soil it remains almost four months, so the seeds of flowers for seedlings should be chosen reasonably: only with a long growing season. If Petunia is not planted in January, it's not too late to do it. By the end of May it will blossom.

Seeds of terry petunia are sold in granules. They should be poured on the prepared soil, placed in a bag, maintaining the desired humidity and periodically ventilating. A week later there will be little sprouts. The whole of February they will develop, by March, a transplant will be required. In the middle-end of February, annuals can be planted: balsam, fuchsia, lobelia.

By the end of February, you can prepare seedlings of perennial flowers, such as: aquilegia, violets, bells, primulas, lumbago.

Cucumber: is it worth it to plant in February?

The plant has a special vegetative period: from the beginning of emergence to the first flowering - only 30-45 days. Therefore, the seeds of cucumbers for seedlings should be prepared a month before planting in the ground. Grow the plant and you can on the windowsill, but it's worth it to do by mid-March, when the light day will increase.