Are you sure your windows are the perfect place for seedlings? It turns out that 9 out of 10 gardeners ruin young plants without even noticing it.
Gardeners' World magazine published shocking data in its March issue: improper watering and excess light reduce the chances of a harvest by 70%.
The famous agronomist Mikhail Vorobyov , author of the bestseller "A Vegetable Garden Without Mistakes", calls this "the silent murder of seedlings". One reader from Krasnodar, Elena Semenova, admitted in a review on the forum: "After correcting these mistakes, my tomatoes sprouted like yeast!"
The first fatal mistake is to overwater the seedlings "just in case". The roots suffocate without oxygen, and fungal diseases flourish.
Instead of a schedule, focus on the soil: if the top layer is dry by 1 cm, it’s time to water.
The second trap is placing boxes on a cold windowsill.
Research by Timiryazev University has proven that soil temperatures below +18°C slow down growth even in the strongest varieties. Put some foam or an old book under the containers — this will protect the roots from hypothermia.
The third mistake is to ignore the "dark phase". Seedlings need not only illumination, but also 6-8 hours of complete darkness to absorb nutrients.
The fourth mistake is to use universal soil. Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers require different soil compositions.
As TV presenter Oktyabrina Ganichkina advises, add more sand to the mixture for peppers and ash to the mixture for cabbage.
Point five - fear of airing. Stagnant air is a paradise for blackleg. Open the window for 10 minutes daily, but avoid drafts.
The sixth mistake is to feed seedlings "like adult plants". The concentration of fertilizers should be reduced by half, otherwise you will burn the roots.
The seventh sin is to skip hardening. A sharp temperature change when planting in the ground causes shock.
Start taking the plants out onto the balcony 2 weeks before replanting, increasing the time from 30 minutes to a whole day.
According to Sochi farmer Igor Petrenko, it was hardening that helped him grow a record harvest of eggplants.
Test your methods today - tomorrow may be too late. As gardening classic Luther Burbank said:
"Plants can't complain, but their leaves are the best error detectors."
