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Who among Russian gardeners today does not dream of growing eggplants on their own plot? Let's make a reservation right away that this is not as difficult as it might seem the first time, but beginners can really have problems at the initial stage. There are rules for growing eggplant and secrets of preparing seeds for landing... Let's talk about this topic in more detail.
The main methods of growing a crop
Eggplant, which came to us from India, is very much loved by our compatriots. This culture is thermophilic, does not tolerate drought and even short-term cold snaps, grows well on light and rich soils. Choosing the right medium for growing eggplant is half the battle.
There are two ways to grow eggplants:
- sow seeds in the ground;
- grow seeds for seedlings.
Due to the fact that the vegetative period for almost all varieties and hybrids of eggplant is quite long, the first method is not used practically anywhere in Russia. Seedling growing is what we'll talk about below.
The optimum temperature for growing should be + 23-28 degrees in the daytime, + 17-20 at night.
The vegetative period from the moment the first shoots appear to the technical ripening of the fruits is on average 120 days, which is four calendar months. It is possible to achieve success in growing crops in a seedless way only in the south of Russia (in the Crimea, Krasnodar Territory and a number of other regions) with sufficient care and well-prepared soil.
It is worth noting that even in the south, many gardeners are trying to grow this crop in seedlings. This is due to the capriciousness of eggplant, which many have heard of. So how to prepare seeds for growing seedlings, and what secrets are important for a gardener to know?
Seed preparation for growing
Each summer resident has his own secrets of disinfecting and soaking eggplant seeds before sowing. Let's take a look at several common methods that can be taken into account.
Growing eggplant is often compared to growing a heat-loving bell pepper. Moreover, these two crops can be neighbors in the garden, but they should not be predecessors of each other. The quality of the seedlings depends on how correctly the work is done.
Sowing dates
Speaking about the timing when it is necessary to sow eggplant seeds, you should focus not on the labels on the packages and not on the advice on the Internet, but on the following circumstances:
- climatic features of the region;
- ripening period of the variety as a whole;
- method of growing eggplants (indoors or outdoors).
From the moment of sowing seeds to planting seedlings in the ground, 60-70 days pass. That is why certain conditions are very important in this matter.
The term for planting ready-made seedlings in the ground depends on the ripening rate of the selected variety. Pay attention to this.
Soil for sowing seeds and selection of containers
We have already said that eggplant is a soil-demanding crop. For seedlings, you need to specially prepare a mixture that will be optimal for growing seedlings.Today, many gardeners use peat tablets when growing eggplant seedlings. This is quite convenient, but you need to choose the right size and pH. In addition, do not allow drying out, which is characteristic of them.
The optimum acidity for eggplant seedlings is 6.0-6.7. For the soil, it is also required to maintain this indicator.
If you are going to plant in the ground, then its mixture should consist of:
- quality purchased soil (2 parts);
- peat (2 parts);
- calcined river sand (1 part);
- compost (2 parts).
You can add some wood ash and some superphosphate as fertilizer. Everything is thoroughly mixed and filled into forms. Instead of molds, you can use plastic cups. Convenience lies in the fact that each seedling will be in a separate container, which will simplify its transplant. The eggplant root system is weak and capricious, it does not like picking, so the transplant in the summer should be as comfortable as possible for seedlings.
In this matter, it is important to plant different varieties of eggplant in different blocks of forms, so as not to get confused later. In addition, for all varieties and hybrids, the timing of the appearance of the first shoots is different.
Seed preparation for sowing
Gardeners begin to acquire seeds in winter. The season itself is January and February. In February, as a rule, they already start planting. Someone harvests seeds on their own, someone buys them. The best way is to buy seed from specialized stores. You need to pay attention to the packaging, read everything that is written on it, including information about the variety or hybrid itself, as well as the expiration date.
Conscientious manufacturers take a responsible approach to the issue: seeds go through all stages of processing in advance, as a result they do not need to be soaked and disinfected. They are sown in moist soil and watered with a spray bottle so as not to wash out the seeds, but this is the easiest option. Let's analyze the process of preparing seeds for sowing, because situations are different.
It is not worth storing eggplant seeds for more than four years, since they have very poor germination.
Seed preparation eggplant for sowing for seedlings includes the following main stages:
- disinfection;
- growth stimulant treatment;
- germination.
The last point is not used by all gardeners, it can be omitted, being sure that the seed is of high quality. Preparation of eggplant seeds begins with disinfection. Let's consider two ways that are easy to implement in practice.
Method number 1
It consists in carrying out thermal and chemical treatment according to the following scheme:
- Eggplant seeds are placed in very warm water (+ 50-52 degrees Celsius) and kept in it for 25-30 minutes, without removing them from a warm place, so that the water does not cool down quickly.
- Then immediately the eggplant seeds are moved for 2-3 minutes in cold water.
- A solution of potassium humate (sodium can be used) is prepared in advance as 0.01%, the seeds are kept in it for at least a day at room temperature.
Method number 2
This is perhaps the most well-known method of disinfecting eggplant seeds today. It was also used by our grandmothers. The scheme is as follows:
- A solution of potassium permanganate (1.5%) is prepared in advance, eggplant seeds are soaked in it for 30 minutes.
- The seeds are washed in water, carrying out all procedures at room temperature.
Additionally, you can place the seeds in the Epin solution, following the instructions. The disadvantage of the second method is that an infection may persist inside the seeds.
After disinfecting the eggplant seeds, you can proceed to processing with modern means that promote the growth and strengthening of seedlings.
The following products can be used as a growth indicator for eggplant:
- Novosil;
- "Ideal";
- "Baikal EM1".
If these are not there, the store will definitely advise a good product.When processing seeds with a growth indicator, you can safely refuse germination. Otherwise, it is necessary to place the seed in damp gauze and wait for shoots.
We draw the attention of gardeners to another important detail: eggplant seeds have a hard shell and a protective film that prevents germination. In nature, seeds fall into the ground and can germinate in the fall, however, this does not happen precisely due to the presence of this film. For this reason, seedlings in February-March can be expected for a very long time, so the use of a growth indicator or soaking is quite justified.
Below is a good video on preparing eggplant seeds:
Seeds of each variety are planted in grooves or small depressions according to the recommendations indicated on the package. This is usually 2 millimeters. You can use a toothpick for this.
Practical tips for growing seedlings
When the preparation of eggplant seeds for sowing is completed, they must be placed in cups. In addition to the funds listed above, the abundance of light will affect the rapid growth. If we talk about ideal conditions, then eggplant seedlings should be 12 hours in the sun, and 12 hours in a dark place at a low temperature. These conditions mimic the temperature differences that plants will soon face.
If there is little sunlight in the region, then the seedlings will have to be illuminated. This requires a phytolamp. We draw your attention to the fact that with a lack of light, eggplant seedlings stretch out, and the stems become thinner.
Another important nuance is watering: you cannot use cold water for this. It is required to defend it for a day and adhere to room temperature. The fact is that cold water can become a source of infections and viruses that will destroy young immature eggplant sprouts. The soil should not dry out, but the seedlings will not stand in the water, but will quickly die.
Eggplant is a rather capricious plant, it loves moisture, warmth and light. That is why all the time, from sowing to transplanting into the ground or greenhouse, you need to adhere to certain growing rules. By following the advice on the packaging, you can achieve a truly rich harvest.
