Cultivation of seedlings is not an easy matter. It is not enough to properly sow the seeds and provide them with comfortable conditions for germination. Often you can't do without transplanting seedlings.
For many years, gardeners can not come to a consensus on whether to pick seedlings. Let's try to get to the bottom of this difficult question.
Sprouts picking - what is it?
Nudging of seedlings is the transplanting of seedlings from a smaller container to a larger one or separate containers. Typically, this procedure is carried out after the seedlings appear 2-3 true leaves, as in the early stage of growth, seedlings better tolerate picking.
Why do we need to pick seedlings?
Proponents of picking seedlings believe that this procedure promotes the development of the root system (in particular, lateral roots) and strengthens the seedlings, because as the plants grow, they become crowded, and they do not receive the necessary amount of nutrients. In addition, during the picking of seedlings, the gardener can reject poorly developing and sick seedlings, which will not do any good.
Prick seedlings very carefully, so as not to damage their roots and shoots.
However, seedling picking has a significant disadvantage: seedlings are stressed during transplanting, and some of them in the new place may not take root. Plants with a weak root system need to be picked very carefully, because even minor damage to the roots can lead to the death of the young seedling. Therefore, experienced gardeners advise transplanting not all crops.
What kind of seedlings are grown without transplanting?
Such cultures as cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin, melon have a root system that reacts painfully to any intervention. These vegetables are better grown in separate containers and at the stage of 3-4 true leaves planted in the ground in a permanent place.
When growing cucumbers, it is advised to sow in separate pots of 2 seeds, and then the weaker seedling is gently plucked or cut off with scissors.
Also transplanting poorly tolerate plants with a rooted root system: poppy flowers, aquilegia and mallow.
What kind of seedlings are transplanted?
Some crops, on the contrary, feel good after a properly carried out transplanting, they become stronger and faster build up green mass. This is characteristic of tomatoes.
Also, transplanting is important for plants that are sown superficially (petunias, lobelia), because as they grow, their stem needs to be buried. And the moment of transplanting seedlings is the best time to do this.
But there is no consensus on the transplanting of eggplant and pepper. Some gardeners argue that after transplanting, seedlings are more likely to get sick, while others, based on their own experience, say that sprouted seedlings grow better, and only single specimens are susceptible to diseases. But it is important not to make mistakes when growing and transplanting seedlings.
When to pick seedlings?
Seedlings are usually piked 2-3 weeks after the emergence of seedlings, in the phase of 1-3 true leaves. Do not confuse them with seedlings, which appear first when the sprout is just germinating from the soil.
It should be remembered that seedlings can be transplanted before this time (if the seedlings are planted too densely and interfere with each other), but later - do not. The older the plants, the worse they tolerate transplanting.
If you have never done a seedling picking, practice on tomatoes, as they respond well to this procedure.
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