Many of us know the benefits of spinach for the body. Usually it is grown in open ground.
And those who wish to receive a fortified complex all year round, resort to growing it at home.
In any case, a good harvest depends on the seedlings. About what it should be and how to get it, you will learn in our article.
What does a healthy seedling look like in the photo?
Healthy spinach seedlings have dense shoots.. The leaves are rounded. They are slightly bumpy and have a bright green tint. At the same time they should not be stains, rot and other defects.
Growing up
Soil preparation
Spinach is a plant that is very demanding in its choice of soil. It should be as fertile as possible.
Also, the soil for spinach should have normal acidity and retain moisture well. Light loamy soil meets these requirements. If the soil is too poor in nutrients, it must be fertilized with potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.
Seed preparation
Spinach seeds have a very thick and hard shell, which badly passes moisture and complicates their germination. Therefore, they must be carefully prepared for planting. To do this, perform the following actions:
- Calibration - selection of seeds suitable for planting and their sorting by size.
- Soak - wrap the seeds with a piece of cotton cloth, put them in a shallow container and pour a little water with a temperature of +25 degrees. Place the seed container in a dark place for 24 hours and control that the seeds are always moist. If necessary, add water. After the day, get the seeds and dry.
- Disinfection - disinfect the seeds with manganic acid solution. To do this, dilute 1 g of the powder with 200 ml of water and place the seeds in this solution. After 10 minutes, remove from the solution and wash the seeds with clean water.
Step by step instructions on how to land
You can grow seedlings in two ways.:
- in peat tablets;
- in separate containers.
Capacity needs to be selected depending on how the spinach will continue to grow. If you plan to grow spinach at home, then stop the choice on a long, wide and shallow pot. If the seedlings will be transplanted into the open ground, then it is necessary to choose smaller containers. The material from which it is made does not matter. The main condition is the presence of drainage holes.
When planting in separate containers, such procedures are carried out.:
- In the prepared container lay drainage in the form of expanded clay.
- Drainage cover ground.
- Seeds buried in the ground by 1-2 cm.
- Sprinkled with top soil.
- Lightly watered with warm water.
- Cover the container with a film and put in a warm place.
When planting in a peat tablet:
- Dip the peat tablets into the container with the high walls with the hole facing up and fill with water.
- Add water as it absorbs pills.
- Make a hole 1.5 cm deep in wet ground.
- In the recess put one large seed or two small ones.
- Sprinkle with soil, compact.
- Cover with foil and put in a warm place.
Choosing a place
Place for growing seedlings of spinach must meet these requirements.:
- Have good lighting.
- Best suited south.
- Avoid stagnant water.
- Without hitting the cold wind.
How many days after planting?
On what day do the first shoots of spinach sprout, how long to wait? The first shoots will be in 5-7 days. First, the first small leaflets make their way out of the ground. Then they are drawn, they become more. They begin to take the form of the correct sheet.
If the seedlings did not appear on time
Perhaps the seeds lack moisture or, conversely, its surplus. Or they lack light or heat. The correction of these errors will lead to the emergence of the first shoots.
Purchase finished
When you do not want to plant spinach seeds for seedlings on your own, if this is difficult for you, you can get it from people who grow vegetables in greenhouses or in specialty stores. It is also possible to order from online stores. When buying ready seedlings, you need to carefully consider it.
Seedlings should not be damaged or defective.. The socket should be tight, the stems should not be lethargic. Leaves should have smooth edges, free from damage, stains or other defects. The color of seedlings should be juicy green, without gray or yellowness. Also pay attention to the roots. They should be dry, free from damage and lethargy.
Price in Moscow and St. Petersburg
When buying in the online store cost from 140 to 160 rubles for a cassette of six pieces.
Sprout care
Before germination, the seeds are under the film. After the appearance of the first shoots, the film must be removed. Further care of the seedlings is not difficult. It consists in the following actions:
- Implementation of frequent and abundant watering.
- Do not allow the soil to dry out.
- The work of spraying leaves.
- After the appearance of the first shoots, to feed them.
- As a top dressing use liquid fertilizers. You can use ammonia, hydrogen peroxide or special tools purchased in the store.
- If the soil was fertilized before planting, then you should not make additional feeding. There may be a surplus of fertilizers, which will have a negative effect on the leaves.
Move to open ground
- Prepare the beds on the site with the necessary soil.
- Prepare the seedlings for transplanting: clean the roots from the previous soil by washing them with water.
- In the breasts to make indentations.
- Lower the seedlings into the grooves in the garden beds.
- Sprinkle with earth, condense.
- Pour over water.
Growing spinach seedlings is not a complicated process that even a novice can handle. Further care is also not difficult. By following the rules for growing seedlings and caring for spinach, you will receive an excellent healthy supplement to your favorite dishes.
