The seedling method for growing eggplant is the most reliable and fastest way to get the crop. We will find out what methods of growing seedlings exist, how to care for them, and what varieties are popular among our gardeners.
The best varieties and hybrids
All eggplants are divided by maturity into three types - early, middle and late. The former are distinguished by the shortest growing season - it is precisely them that are recommended to be grown in regions with a short summer.
Popular varieties of different ripening periods:
- Early varieties. Relatively cold-resistant, tolerate shading and increased planting density. Popular varieties and hybrids of early ripening:
- Mid-season. Resistant to dry air and irregular watering. Harvesting is more extended in time than early varieties. Popular varieties and hybrids:
- Goliath F1. Ripens in 120-130 days. The fruits are very large - from 650 to 1100 g. Productivity - 14-16 kg per 1 sq. m.
- Epic F1. Matures in 130-140 days. Fruits are oval-conical, weighing 210-230 g. Average yield - 5.5 kg per 1 sq. m.
- Diamond. Ripens in 115-150 days. Productivity - up to 7.5 kg per 1 sq. m. Fruits are long, cylindrical. Fruit weight - 90-170 g.
- Black handsome. Ripening period - 145 days. Fruit weight - up to 200 g, pear-shaped. Productivity - 5-9 kg per 1 sq. m.
- Goliath F1. Ripens in 120-130 days. The fruits are very large - from 650 to 1100 g. Productivity - 14-16 kg per 1 sq. m.
- Late. These varieties are more suitable for the southern regions. They are resistant to adverse factors and diseases. Harvested at the end of summer. Popular varieties:
There are varieties of eggplants created specifically for greenhouses - Fabina F1, Purple Wonder F1, Bagira F1, Nutcracker F1, and for open ground - Orion F1, Orient Express, Taste of mushrooms.
When to plant eggplants for seedlings?
Eggplants are very thermophilic, so when sowing seeds for seedlings, one must take into account the duration of growing seedlings and the climate of a particular region.
If the seeds are sown too early, the seedlings will grow ahead of time. The finished seedlings cannot be planted due to low temperatures, and they will outgrow.
When determining the sowing period, one must take into account - where the seedlings will be planted, in open or closed ground. Seedlings are planted in the greenhouse 2 weeks earlier.
Recommended time frames for different regions:
- The middle strip and the suburbs. Planting in a greenhouse is carried out in the first ten days of May, therefore, seedlings are sown in mid-February. If disembarkation is planned at a later date, the sowing time is shifted forward.
- Ural. In this region, the climate is unpredictable, so you should not rush to sow seedlings. Return frosts can occur here even at the beginning of June. Seedlings are planted no earlier than the end of May, therefore, sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out from the end of February to mid-March.
- Siberia. Summer in this region comes late. Seedlings are planted in mid-May-mid-June. The best time for sowing seeds is from the second half of February to half of March.
- Leningrad region. The optimal period for sowing seeds is from mid-February to early March.
Seedlings ready to be transplanted into a greenhouse or open ground should have a height of 20-25 cm, 7-8 leaves and strong roots. The seedling age for planting is from 60 to 75 days.
Landing on the lunar calendar in 2020
The lunar calendar, popular among gardeners, takes into account the influence of the lunar phases on the growth of garden and horticultural crops. It is believed that for plants that give fruit in the aerial part, a growing and young moon is favorable.
Favorable days for planting:
Months | Auspicious days (growing and young moon) |
February | 1-8, 23, 24-29 |
March | 1-8,24, 25-31 |
April | 1-7, 23, 24-30 |
May | 1-6, 22, 23-31 |
June | 1-4, 21, 22-30 |
July | 1-4, 20, 21-31 |
Eggplant seedling growing technology
Growing strong and healthy eggplant seedlings requires proper soil and seed preparation. We will learn how to choose high-quality planting material, how to process it, and in which soil it is better to plant.
Choosing Eggplant Seeds When Purchasing
You can prepare eggplant seeds yourself, but it's easier to buy them at a store. To purchase exactly what you need, carefully read the labels on the package.
It is not recommended to buy seed in the market or from private traders. Take seeds in specialized stores. There they are sold already processed, completely ready for sowing.
What to look for when buying eggplant seeds:
- The package must contain the full name of the variety / hybrid, as well as detailed information about the manufacturer.
- When buying hybrids, take the first generation - labeled F1. They better tolerate the vagaries of the weather and have high immunity.
- Look at the date to not buy expired seeds.
- Manufacturers pack a different number of seeds. There are bags containing 10 seeds. Usually on the package is written the weight of the seeds. Proceed from it, determining the amount of planting material. In 1 g of eggplant seeds - 250 seeds.
Soil preparation
Eggplant seedlings are planted in light, air- and moisture-permeable soils with neutral acidity. They must be saturated with nutrients and disinfected.
You must choose:
- Capacities. Seedlings can be grown in containers, cassettes and individual glasses. Eggplant seedlings do not tolerate transplanting very well, so it is recommended to plant them in separate containers.
Containers for seedlings should have holes for water drainage. The minimum dimensions of the container are 4 cm in width and height. The most convenient options are peat tablets, individual glasses and cassettes. - Priming. There are two options - buy a substrate for seedlings in a specialized store that contains all the necessary elements in the right proportions, or prepare the soil mix yourself.
How to prepare the soil for seedlings:
- The first version of the soil mixture:
- humus - 2 parts;
- sod land or high moor peat - 1 part;
- sand or semi-rotten sawdust (non-coniferous) - 1 part.
- The second version of the soil mixture:
- humus - 1 part, or high moor peat - 2 parts;
- turf or leafy land - 2 parts;
- sand - 0.5-1 part.
Homemade soil mixture is calcined in the oven a few days before planting in order to destroy the larvae of insect pests and pathogens of various diseases.
Methods for disinfecting soil mixture:
- warming up;
- calcination;
- scalding;
- freezing.
To stimulate the reproduction of beneficial microflora, biological products are added to the soil, for example, "Baikal EM-1".
Fertilizers are added to the soil, for each bucket:
- nitrophosphate - 40 g;
- wood ash - 1 glass.
Before filling with soil, containers for seedlings are scalded with boiling water or disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Seed preparation
Seeds procured independently, unlike purchased, must be prepared for planting.
How to process eggplant seeds before planting:
- Warming up. In order for the seeds to quickly awaken and come out of the state of biological dormancy, they are immersed in hot water (from +45 to + 50 ° C), placed in a gauze bag. The duration of warming up is 3-5 minutes. This procedure will approximate the emergence of seedlings.
- Etching. Seeds can be disinfected in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate. They are dipped in a solution, wrapped in gauze for 20 minutes. Then washed with running water. Instead of potassium permanganate, seeds can be treated in a biofungicide solution. Fitosporin-M, Gamair SP, etc. will do. Disinfection prevents many diseases.
- Processing in a growth promoter. Eggplant seeds sprout for a long time. Stimulants will help accelerate germination. To reduce the number of treatments, you can mix a stimulant with a biofungicide. Popular stimulants - "Epin", "Zircon". Microfertilizers can also be added to the solution - for example, “Citovit” or “Microvit”. After processing, the seeds are washed and dried.
- Hardening. This is the last stage of seed preparation. Treated and dried seeds are kept during the day at a temperature of +18 .. + 22 ° C, and at night - in a refrigerator at a temperature of +2 .. + 3 ° C. This procedure is repeated for 5-6 days.
Hardened seeds can be sown, or you can still germinate them, then the seedlings will appear even faster.
How to germinate seeds:
- sprinkle the seeds on a wet cotton towel and put it in a small saucer;
- cover the seeds with a damp cloth and place the saucer in a warm place;
- when the seeds swell and germinate, move them to a dry bed, dry and start sowing.
Seeds can only be collected from varietal eggplants. Hybrids cannot be propagated in this way. If you want to plant hybrid eggplants, you need to buy their seeds.
Varieties of sowing eggplant
There are several methods for growing seedlings. Each gardener decides for himself which method is more convenient for him - traditional or original.
Sowing eggplant for seedlings in the traditional way
The traditional cultivation method involves sowing seeds into the soil, which is filled with seedling containers.
There are several options for sowing in the classic way:
- in separate glasses;
- into cassettes;
- in seedling boxes.
Landing procedure:
- Fill the tanks with soil, leaving the sides 1.5–2 cm high. After watering, the soil will settle and will not be washed out.
- Moisten the soil to be sown. Moisture should be moderate. If the soil is too wet, the seeds run the risk of suffocating and not rising.
- Plant the seeds to a depth of 1-2 cm. When planting in a separate container, immediately put 2 seeds - for safety reasons. When shoots appear, pinch a weaker sprout.
Sowing in boxes, you can do rows or use a stencil grill with nests 8x8 or 6x6 cm. Place the seeds in the center of the nests. This method of sowing avoids diving seedlings. - Cover the crops with foil and place in a warm place. The optimum temperature for germinating seeds is from +26 to + 28 ° C. Shoots will appear in 5-10 days. If the temperatures are lower, the germination period is delayed, and at a temperature of + 15 ... + 17 ° C, seedlings may not appear at all.
If the planting is done in seedlings, then the seeds are placed in rows with an interval of 2-3 cm.
When growing seedlings in boxes in the usual way - sowing in rows, at the stage of appearance of 2-3 real leaves, a pick will be needed.
Sowing in a "snail"
Planting seedlings in the "snails" came up with creative gardeners. "Snails" - rolls unwound from a film laid with toilet paper. Instead of film, you can use cut plastic bags, polyethylene foam or isolon.
The order of sowing in the "snail":
- Cut film or other insulating material into tapes. The width of the strips is 10-15 cm. The length of the ribbon will depend on the volume of plantings. Usually make tapes 100-150 cm long.
- Spread the tape on the work surface and sprinkle the soil on it in a layer of 1-1.5 cm. Slightly compact the earth and roll the tape into a "snail" roll.
- Place the folded "snail" vertically and fasten it with elastic bands. If necessary, add earth and pour it with warm water mixed with a growth stimulant. When the soil settles, sides are formed with a height of half a centimeter.
- Moving in a spiral, plant the seeds at intervals of 4-5 cm. For convenience, use a match. Seeds easily stick to its rough head dipped in water - they are easy to pick up and put into place.
- Acting as a match, deepen the seeds by 0.5 cm and sprinkle them with soil.
- Place the "snail" in a transparent container, cover it with a plastic bag on top - you get a mini-greenhouse.
- Place the container in a warm place. Air the crops daily, moisten and wait for the shoots to appear. When the first shoots loops appear, immediately rearrange the “snails” on the windowsill - closer to the light.
Growing seedlings in snails allows you to get strong seedlings without picking.
Sowing in boiling water
This is an express method for obtaining seedlings promptly. This growing method allows you to significantly accelerate seed germination.
You will need:
- Plastic container;
- soil mixture;
- boiling water - you cannot use cool water, you must wait a few minutes after the water boils.
Work order:
- Pour soil into a container. Smooth it out with a layer of 3-4 cm.
- Sprinkle seeds over the surface of the soil. You can put them in rows or in a checkerboard pattern. It is not necessary to deepen the seeds - let them lie on the surface.
- Pour boiling water over the seeds. But do not overdo it - you don’t need to pour a lot. The soil must be moistened, but not flooded.
- Cover the container with a lid and place in a warm and bright place. Shoots will appear in 3-4 days. If the seed is of high quality, then the germination rate reaches 100%.
In peat tablets without dive
The main advantage of growing seedlings in peat tablets is the lack of need for picking, which damages the roots of seedlings moving from one container with soil to another.
The disadvantage of this method is cost. It is hardly suitable if a large number of seedlings are required.
What you need:
- peat tablets;
- tray with lid.
A peat tablet is compressed peat infused with micronutrients.
Sowing order:
- Place the tablets in the tray.
- Pour water over each tablet. After a while, the peat tablets will swell and turn into barrels. After being fed with water, the tablets "grow", their height increases 5-6 times.
- The tablets have special grooves in which you put the seeds. Sprinkle over the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
- Cover the tray with plastic wrap or plastic lid.
- As soon as shoots appear, move the container to the brightest place. Moisten the tablets periodically and monitor the development of the root system.
- When the roots begin to break out, the seedlings must be moved into large glasses. Do not forget to remove the film from the tablets so that it does not interfere with the germination of the roots.
- Take 300 ml glasses and pour soil into them - a store substrate or home-made soil mixture. Place a "barrel" with sprouts on the soil, and add soil around the perimeter. Deepen the stems of seedlings to cotyledonous leaves.
Sowing eggplant without soil
The landless method of growing seedlings allows you to quickly and easily get any number of seedlings for picking. Moving seedlings in containers with soil is carried out without the slightest injury.
The advantages of the method:
- no soil is needed before the picking stage;
- space is saved due to the compactness of the landings;
- any number of seeds can be germinated;
- seedlings do not suffer from root rot and black leg.
The disadvantages of the method are also available;
- due to a lack of light, the sprouts may stretch unnecessarily;
- when the first true leaves appear, the seedlings have to dive into separate containers.
To grow seedlings in a landless way you will need:
- Plastic container;
- toilet paper - it is better to take white, without dyes;
- hydrogen peroxide solution - 2 tbsp. l. for 1 liter of water.
Sowing order:
- Fold 8-10 layers of toilet paper and place on the bottom of the container.
- Moisten toilet paper with hydrogen peroxide solution.
- Spread the seeds with a toothpick evenly on paper. Press lightly to make good contact. You can lay the seeds in rows or sprinkle them evenly - as you like.
- Sowing takes less than a minute. From above nothing needs to be processed or sprayed. Place a lid on the container and place in a warm place. When the seeds hatch, rearrange the container in the light, otherwise the seedlings will stretch.
- Transplant the seedlings into separate cups. Gardeners promise 100% survival.
When to dive eggplant?
A pick is an unsafe activity that causes stress in seedlings.It is necessary to carry out it in one case - when the seedlings are sown in heaps, and the plants interfere with each other.
As soon as the seedlings have two true leaves, a pick is carried out into individual glasses or into peat pots. If the seedlings outgrow, then they will adapt longer - due to trauma to the roots, and development will be delayed for 2-3 weeks.
Dive order:
- 3-4 hours before transplantation, moderately moisten the soil in seedling boxes.
- Fill individual planting containers with the same soil mixture in which the seedlings grew.
- Make a depression in the center of the container and place the seedling you removed from the seedling box into it.
- Fill the voids with soil and compact it.
- Place the spiked seedlings in a place protected from drafts.
Seedling care
In general, the care for eggplant seedlings is the same as for all nightshade crops.
Lighting and temperature
Young eggplant seedlings are very demanding on light. For normal growth and development, they need 12 hours of daylight.
Useful tips for lighting seedlings:
- if there is not enough light, or the day is too short, turn on the lamps - LED or fluorescent;
- place seedlings in the most lit place;
- periodically rotate the glasses with seedlings so that they do not lean to one side;
- if the weather is cloudy, do not turn off the lights during the day.
Eggplants are thermophilic and demanding on the temperature regime. Recommended temperatures:
- before emergence - from +25 to + 28 ° C;
- immediately after emergence - from +16 to + 18 ° C;
- a few days after emergence - from +20 to + 24 ° C.
Watering
Eggplant seedlings are demanding on watering. It is important to maintain balance without over-moistening the soil, but also without allowing it to dry out. The rate and frequency of watering depends on how quickly the moisture evaporates and on the size of the seedlings - the older the plant, the more water they need.
Rules for watering eggplant seedlings:
- only warm (+ 23 ... + 25 ° C) and settled water is used for irrigation;
- the best time for watering is early morning or evening;
- water only at the root.
Top dressing
Top dressing of seedlings begins when 2 or 4 true leaves appear - if pin-free cultivation is used. If the seedlings dived, then you have to wait - feeding is carried out 10 days after transplantation.
Feeding rules:
- The first time the seedlings are fed with a highly diluted solution to prevent root burns.
- For top dressing it is convenient to use complex fertilizers - Agricola, Fertiku Lux, Athlete and others.
- If the seedlings are planted in a purchased substrate, then you can not feed them - it has everything you need to power the seedlings throughout the entire period of its growing season.
- You can feed the seedlings with a composition prepared yourself. For the first feeding in 1 liter of water, dissolve:
- potassium - 1 g;
- wood ash - 1 tsp;
- saltpeter - 0.5 tsp;
- superphosphate - 4 g.
- For the second feeding, organic fertilizer is used. It is brought in 10 days after the first feeding. How to feed seedlings with organic matter:
- mix chicken manure - fermented or in granules with water in a 1:15 ratio;
- insist litter for 2-3 days and water the seedlings.
- A week before transplanting seedlings into the soil, seedlings are fertilized with superphosphate. For 5 liters of the mixture, take:
- superphosphate - 35 g;
- potassium salt - 15 g.
- Instead of mineral and organic dressings, you can add "Potassium humate". This fertilizer increases plant resistance to stress and enhances root growth.
Living space
Eggplant seedlings at all stages of growing require a certain amount of space to grow.
Methods for providing living space:
- pick - seedlings are planted so that they do not interfere with each other;
- moving apart glasses with seedlings - as the seedlings grow, the intervals between containers increase.
Prevention of seedling diseases
Most diseases that affect eggplant seedlings can be cured, but much more effectively, prevent their appearance.
Preventive measures:
- Only harvest seeds from healthy bushes. Disinfect them before planting in a saturated solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes.
- During the growing period, pour the seedlings 2-3 times with a 0.5% solution of potassium permanganate. The interval between treatments is 3 weeks.
- Spray the seedlings with milk diluted in water (1:10). After spraying, cover the plants with a film to prevent the transmission of viral infection.
- During the growing season, do 2-3 foliar top dressing with solutions containing trace elements.
- Disinfect seedling containers, tools and inventory with 5% potassium permanganate solution.
Growing errors and problems
For beginner gardeners, growing seedlings is often accompanied by problems. Their main reason is the violation of agricultural technology.
The most common problems when growing eggplant seedlings:
- Seedlings stopped developing after a dive. Do not worry ahead of time and do not need to do anything. 7-10 days, the seedlings get used to the new conditions, and then they will grow. Inexperienced gardeners begin to water and feed the seedlings vigorously, and this irreparably harms her.
- Blackleg. A disease that occurs with an excess of moisture. The disease begins with lethargy of seedlings, later a thin belt appears near the roots. Preventing the black leg helps to normalize watering and spraying with Previkur.
- Hypothermia of the root system. If the seedlings are on a cold windowsill, there is a large temperature difference between the root system and the aboveground part. The seedlings look sick and depressed because of this. An insulating substrate helps to fix the situation.
- Mechanical damage to the leaves. They can appear due to pests gnawing leaves. It is necessary to examine the seedlings and apply an appropriate insecticide. Also, mechanical damage can occur due to too close the location of the lamps.
- Why are eggplant seedlings pulled out? There are several reasons for drawing seedlings:
- little light;
- too high a temperature;
- thickening of landings;
- too much nitrogen fertilizer;
- seeds sown too early.
- What if the seedlings turn yellow and wither? Yellowed leaves indicate a lack of nitrogen. The problem is solved by the introduction of organic or nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers. Yellowing and wilting can also indicate improper care or disease.
- Why do leaves curl? Leaf twisting is observed when the irrigation regime is violated, when using poor-quality water or with an excess of potassium. Also, the twisting effect can cause excessive lighting. You can not send bright light to seedlings, it must be diffused and moderate.
- Why are the seedlings turning blue? Seedlings can acquire a bluish tint for several reasons:
- phosphorus deficiency;
- copper deficiency;
- insufficient moisture;
- low temperatures.
Growing eggplant seedlings is a painstaking task that requires constant attention and control from the gardener. Observing the rules of agricultural technology, you can prevent many problems and grow strong planting material.
Author of the publication
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Russia. City Novosibirsk
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