TheNaturePlanet

Many beginners don't know how to handle the seeds of cherry tomatoes at the beginning: "After buying the seeds of cherry tomatoes, can they be sown directly? How should the germination acceleration be carried out? Today, I will share the secrets of cherry tomato seedling cultivation with you, and you can start practical operation after reading it!

In fact, the seeds of cherry tomatoes can be sown directly, but whether they can germinate smoothly and grow strong seedlings depends on whether these key conditions are met. First of all, it's the temperature. The soil temperature should be stably maintained between 20-25°C. If it is lower than 15°C, the seeds will be slow to germinate and it will take more than ten days. If it exceeds 30°C, it will be more troublesome. The seeds are likely to be "dazed by the heat" and suffocate in the soil directly. Therefore, for spring sowing, it is best to wait until after Grain Rain. For autumn sowing, choose the middle and late September. If the temperature is not enough for those who plant on the balcony, it is also okay to use an air conditioner to control the temperature.

The soil conditions are also very important, and it must be loose and breathable! It is recommended to use sandy loam or leaf mold soil, and mix in well-rotted sheep manure as base fertilizer in advance (about 10 catties per square meter), and then carefully sieve out small stones and weed roots. Here, I want to remind novice friends that clay soil is likely to become compacted and will suffocate the seeds; pure garden soil may carry pathogens, so don't use it directly! When sowing, the soil covering should not be too thick, about 0.5-1 centimeter, which is about the thickness of a one-yuan coin. Cover the soil and spray the surface wet, and then cover it with plastic wrap to keep it moist, so that the seeds will not be short of oxygen.

However, direct sowing also has two obvious disadvantages. First, the germination is slow. It may take 7 days at the fastest, and 2 weeks at the slowest. Second, the seedlings emerge unevenly. The seedlings that emerge first have already grown tall, while the later ones may still be "sleeping" in the soil. Therefore, if you plant a few pots on the balcony, for the sake of worry-free cultivation, it is recommended to accelerate germination. If you are planting in a large area, direct sowing is also okay, but be sure to disinfect the soil and pour some carbendazim solution to kill the bacteria.

Since we are talking about germination acceleration, this is a key step that can increase the germination rate from 60% to over 90%! Next, I will share 3 tested and effective methods with you. Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardening enthusiast, you can find a method that suits you.

Preferred for novices: Wet tissue germination acceleration method

This method is especially suitable for balcony novices. The operation process is like doing a small experiment, and you can clearly see the changes in seed germination. First, prepare a seedling tray or a shallow bowl, unscented kitchen paper, and a transparent plastic bag. Fold the kitchen paper into 3 layers, soak it in warm water and wring it out, and spread it on the bottom of the tray. Then place the seeds one by one, with a spacing of about 1 centimeter, and don't let them squeeze together. Then cover with 2 layers of wet kitchen paper, put on a plastic bag, leave a small gap for ventilation, and place it in a warm place at home, such as next to the router (keep the temperature at 25-28°C). Open the plastic bag every day and spray some warm water with a spray bottle to keep it moist. When 70% of the seeds show white sprouts (germinate), they can be sown. Be careful not to wait until the sprouts are too long, otherwise they are likely to break.

Classic and practical: Warm water soaking method

This is a more traditional germination acceleration method, and many experienced vegetable farmers use it. The first step is to put the seeds into warm water at 55°C, stir while pouring water, and soak for 15 minutes, which can kill the pathogens on the surface of the seeds. Then, when the water temperature drops to 30°C, continue to soak for 8 hours to let the seeds absorb enough water and make the seed coat soft. Then wrap the seeds in gauze and place them next to the radiator or other warm places. Wash them with warm water twice a day to prevent mold. If you want to make the seeds germinate faster, you can add half a spoonful of gibberellin when soaking the seeds (it can be bought at the agricultural materials store), and the effect will be doubled!

Professional seedling cultivation: Substrate germination acceleration method (directly cultivate strong seedlings)

If you plan to plant on a large scale or do professional seedling cultivation, it is recommended to use the substrate germination acceleration method, which can directly cultivate strong seedlings. First, prepare the substrate. Use 3 parts of peat soil, 1 part of perlite, and 1 part of vermiculite, and then mix in carbendazim for disinfection. Fill the seedling tray with the substrate, press it flat, put 1 seed in each hole, cover it with a 0.5-centimeter-thick layer of substrate, water it thoroughly, and then cover it with plastic film to keep it moist. When 60% of the seeds have emerged, uncover the plastic film. Keep the temperature at 25°C during the day and 18°C at night, and don't let the seedlings grow too thin and long due to high temperature and become "bean sprouts".

These 3 methods each have their own characteristics. The wet tissue method is suitable for novices and parent-child planting. You can see the effect in 2-3 days, and it is full of fun. The warm water soaking method is suitable for home gardening enthusiasts. The seeds will germinate in 3-4 days, and the operation is not difficult. The substrate germination acceleration method is suitable for professional seedling cultivation. Although it takes 4-5 days, the germination rate is the highest, which can reach 95%. You can choose according to your own situation.

If you spend a little more effort on germination acceleration and seedling cultivation at the beginning, you can save a lot of trouble later! Novices are strongly recommended to try the wet tissue method. Watching the little white sprouts emerge little by little is full of a sense of accomplishment!