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80% of Gardeners Make These 4 Mistakes When Growing Tomato Seedlings: Check Yourself
14.01.2024 06:50
Unfortunately, many gardeners make mistakes when growing tomato seedlings, which can lead to their disease, weakening or death.
Today we will tell you what mistakes to avoid when growing tomato seedlings, what conditions and care are necessary for seedlings, as well as what tips and recommendations will help you grow healthy and strong tomato seedlings.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, told how to grow strong tomato seedlings.
Powerful root system
Tomatoes like to be pricked out. This allows the plant to grow a root system. But this has a negative effect on the yield.
The statement that the larger the root system, the more nutrients the tomato will receive is not true.
The roots will take from the soil exactly as much as is required to feed the above-ground part. Therefore, the formation of powerful roots during the period of green mass growth and brush formation has a negative effect on the yield.
Therefore, you should not get carried away with picking and pinching the roots. It is better to have one long root.
In addition to improving the yield, this will increase the drought resistance of the tomato. A long, powerful root will receive moisture from the depths of the soil. Whereas a fibrous root requires frequent watering.
You can get a sufficiently long and strong root by growing seedlings in a container with a conical bottom. Deep individual containers are also suitable, into which you can add soil as the plant grows.
Tall and low-growing tomato varieties are planted in the same way
This is a misconception. Tall (indeterminate) varieties are planted shallowly, to the middle of the hypocotyl, with subsequent addition of soil if necessary.
Low-growing (determinate) varieties require deepening to the cotyledons.
This is due to the fact that they form root mounds differently. "Indents" are higher, "Dety" are lower. If tomato seedlings are planted too deep, the plant will not form correctly. The result of the disease is low yield, rotting.
Frequent and abundant feeding
This is unnecessary if the seeds are planted in fertile soil. The soil mixture already contains enough nutrients for seedlings.
Excessive fertilizing will lead to the plant stretching or the growth of green mass.
A one-time feeding is justified only in cases where a clear lack of nutrients is noticed. For example: slow growth, small leaves, stretching, etc.
Growing very large, vigorous seedlings
Plants with flowers and ovaries do not take root well, especially outdoors.
After planting such a plant in a permanent place, flowers and ovaries are likely to fall off. Young seedlings will take root faster and easier.
Earlier we talked about why seedlings are hardened and the lower leaves are cut off .
