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Always healthy and strong seedlings: just soak the seeds in one of these solutions
25.02.2024 21:40
A rich harvest begins with healthy, strong seedlings, and healthy seedlings begin with proper seed treatment.
We will tell you about the options of solutions for every taste - both old grandmother's methods and the latest methods of pre-sowing treatment.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, spoke about seed processing.
Soaking seeds in potassium permanganate
Dissolve potassium permanganate in warm water until a dark pink shade is obtained. Immerse the seeds in the prepared solution for a certain time, usually from 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the type of crop. The thicker the shell, the longer the soaking.
Purposes of processing in potassium permanganate
1. Disinfection. Potassium permanganate has antiseptic properties, which helps destroy pathogenic microorganisms and prevents the development of fungal infections.
2. Stimulation of germination. The soaking process activates the metabolism of the seeds, stimulating germination. This is especially useful for accelerating the start of seedling growth.
3. Preventing Rotting: Potassium permanganate helps prevent seeds from rotting during germination, providing more favorable conditions for the initial stage of growth.
Before sowing the seeds in the soil, rinse them thoroughly with clean water to remove any traces of potassium permanganate.
Soaking in potassium permanganate is one of the effective procedures for ensuring successful germination and protecting seedlings from diseases at early stages of development. It has been successfully used by several generations of summer residents.
Soaking seeds in hydrogen peroxide
Another method of pre-sowing treatment that has been tested by summer residents more than once. The seeds are immersed in hydrogen peroxide for a period of 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the thickness of the shell.
The procedure has several goals.
1. Disinfection. Hydrogen peroxide is used to kill bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms on the surface of seeds. This helps prevent the growth of pathogens and reduces the risk of seedling diseases.
2. Stimulation of germination. Soaking in hydrogen peroxide stimulates the germination processes of seeds.
3. Improved water absorption. Peroxide softens the seed coat, which improves water absorption by the seeds. This helps them absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil more efficiently.
Soaking dried mushrooms in an infusion
This method is effective because mushrooms contain all the microelements necessary for plants. Mushrooms absorb nutrients from the soil and accumulate them, and then release them to water during infusion. To extract microelements from mushrooms into an aqueous solution, they should be chopped into small pieces and soaked for a day.
The seeds are wrapped in a cloth, well soaked in mushroom broth, and kept in the solution for 6 hours.
Trichoderma and its application
Trichoderma is a fungus used in agriculture as a biopreparation. It is an antagonist for many pathogenic fungi and improves the health of the soil and plants.
Trichoderma has the ability to compete with pathogenic organisms. Soaking seeds in a solution with Trichoderma protects plants from many diseases in the future.
Additionally, plant growth is stimulated, their resistance to stress and disease is increased.
Trichoderma preparations can be purchased at gardening stores and used according to the instructions.
Soaking in ash infusion
Another affordable way to treat seeds is to use ash infusion.
Ash is a natural fertilizer, ideal for most plants. It is best to use wood ash to prepare the infusion.
The seeds are placed in a solution that is prepared as follows: 2 tablespoons of ash are dissolved in 1 liter of soft water and infused for two days.
Then the seeds are placed in a cloth, previously soaked in an ash infusion, and kept for 4-7 hours.
You can leave it overnight.
Using these pre-planting preparation methods, you can disinfect the seeds and stimulate their growth. This will allow you to grow strong, healthy seedlings that will eventually turn into strong, productive plants.
Earlier we told you how to grow green onions on a windowsill.
