Growing eggplant seedlings in coconut briquettes
Of all the garden crops, eggplant has the longest growing season, so gardeners prefer the seedling method for early fruiting. However, here, too, there are often situations when the sown seeds sit in the ground for a long time, not all germinate, and the germinated ones grow slowly.
Recently, the method of growing eggplant seedlings in coconut briquettes has proven itself well. Due to the special, loose and breathable structure of the nutrient substrate, it is possible to obtain good seed germination. Seedlings in such soil grow and develop well, especially if you choose the right variety.
Seed selection and preparation for sowing
When growing eggplant seedlings at home, it is recommended to choose varieties of an early ripening period (no more than 120 days) and with an average size of the bush and the fruits themselves.
Before sowing, the seeds must be pre-prepared and soaked overnight or at least three hours to accelerate germination.
The correct way to soak is to place the seeds in a damp gauze or cloth, which must then be placed in a plastic bag so that it does not dry out quickly. You can't just fill them with water - this will suffocate the seeds.
In the water that moistens the gauze, you can add growth stimulants, for example Energen (for 50 ml of water, 1 ml of the drug).
Seeds for seedlings can be sown from the second half of February.
Sowing seeds in coconut briquettes
Coconut briquettes- Pour the prepared substrate into special cassettes and tamp it slightly, while it is advisable to use not the smallest ones.
- Put a few seeds in each compartment and cover it with earth a little, not getting too carried away.
- Spray the sown seeds from the spray bottle. It is better not to water from a watering can, so that the seeds do not go deep into the ground along with a stream of water.
- Cover cassettes with foil to create the necessary humidity and temperature for germination.
- Place in a warm place until germination. It is not recommended to put it directly on the windowsill, the temperature there is usually lower, and eggplants need at least 20 degrees of heat for germination.
After 3-5 days, you can check if the seeds have hatched. If there are at least several shoots, the cassettes must be rearranged to a bright, but cooler place. If this is not done, the seedlings will begin to actively grow leaves with a weak root system. To prevent the eggplant from stretching, you should provide the seedlings with additional lighting.