SOAKING TOMATO SEEDS BEFORE SOWING: IS IT NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PROCEDURE BEFORE PLANTING TOMATOES ON THE SEEDLINGS, HOW TO DO IT CORRECTLY AND WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP THE MATERIAL?

Experienced agronomists are well aware that the seeds must be processed before planting to obtain a rich and healthy crop.

One of the types of such treatment is soaking seed. The article tells about the details of this procedure.

From the article you can find out whether it is necessary to soak the tomato seedlings before sowing and why it is necessary, and how to do it correctly and in which solution it is better and for how long to leave planting material in it.

What is it, what effect does it give and is it worth doing?

Soaking is a procedure that consists of placing the seeds in a special solution for various purposes.

Is it necessary to carry out the procedure? After the gardener conducts the procedure of soaking the seeds of a tomato before sowing to grow seedlings, he will see the following effects:

Revealed seed readiness for growth and development. To check whether the expiration date or any other quality of the cells has passed, it is enough just to place them in a special solution. Those seeds that are popped in a liquid are ready for planting.
Pre-soaked seeds will be better prepared for germination. Such material when released into open ground rises faster (almost a couple of days) and grows better.
After the seeds are given a special solution, they will be protected from diseases and pests. Such fluids help destroy the pathogenic bacteria and infections that exist in the seeds.

How to carry out the procedure?

There are several options for soaking tomato seeds in solution. Here are the most common ones:

You can expand the seedlings between two pieces of moistened tissue of the drug and wrap it all in a plastic bag.
Two foam sponges are moistened in the preparation, squeezed out, and between them place the seeds, fasten all this with rubber bands and wrap with a film.
In the bucket is placed stand, covered with a cloth or gauze, and on it should lie the seeds. At the very bottom the solution is poured so that only the ends of the cloth are immersed in it, while the seedlings must be above the level of the liquid. Do not forget to tightly close the bucket lid.

The third option is the most appropriate, since it does not require constant monitoring of the fluid level. Moreover, in this case, the air passes into the bucket with ease.
What is better to soak the seeds of tomato for growing seedlings and how much time you need to leave - let's look below.

In Épinay

Reference! Such a drug can be purchased at any store that specializes in selling seeds. The cost of this tool ranges from 30-50 rubles.

Epin is a synthetic substance that is analogous to a biological growth stimulator. The use of this drug contributes to faster growth of plants, strengthens the immune system, as well as enhances protective functions.

Epin has the ability to increase yields by 15-20%. But you must follow the following rules:

strictly observe the dosage;
before use, the solution must be thoroughly shaken;
the prepared solution can be applied only within 48 hours, otherwise the effect will be zero.

Soak tomato seeds need only before planting.

To simplify the soaking process, it is enough just to pour the drug into a glass and place the seeds there too.
So that later it was easier to catch the seedlings, they need to be wrapped in gauze and hung on a string.
For tomatoes, you need to take 0.1 liters of water and add 1-2 drops of Appin there.
Seeds remain in solution for 5-6 hours. At the same time, the air temperature should remain at the level of 22-25 degrees Celsius.

Seeds with a denser shell require 12-hour processing.

In zircon

It is worth noting that this drug is not a fertilizer. It is used to accelerate the growth and development of the plant. You can purchase the product in containers with a volume of 1, 5, 10 and 20 liters. The solution has a white and yellow tint, sometimes with a slight green tint, a characteristic odor of alcohol. During breeding Zircon turns into a small foam.

The tool is absolutely safe for plants and consists only of natural ingredients. The main component is purple echinacea, and the active ingredient is hydroxycinnamic acid. It is this component that helps seedlings grow faster and also protects them from stressful situations that lead to the development of diseases and pests.

The drug is easily combined with other biological additives, top dressings and fertilizers. What does Zircon use?

The biological stimulator works at the level of cells, therefore, it painlessly helps to accelerate the process of growth and development.
Normalizes metabolic processes in cells.
Economical to use - it helps even with small dosages.
Contributes to the adaptation of the plant after the destruction of diseases and pests.
Helps vegetable crops recover from stress. For example, after adverse weather conditions

The finished solution retains its biological properties for 24 hours. If you store the diluted drug in the refrigerator or basement, the shelf life is increased to two days.

Experienced agronomists recommend at the beginning of the procedure to add a little citric acid to clean water (0.2 grams of acid for 1 liter of liquid). Do not use for the cultivation of galvanized dishes - it can give a negative reaction. For tomatoes, take 1 liter of water and 3 drops of Zircon. Immediately pour only a third of the liquid, add the drug to it, and only then the remainder of the liquid. For how many hours is it best to soak tomato seeds? It is necessary to soak the seeds in the finished solution from 8 to 18 hours, depending on the variety.

Reference! You can buy a similar drug for 50 rubles (1 liter of funds). The cost will increase with increasing zircon volume.

In Gumate

There are sodium and potassium humate. They can be sold as a powder or a concentrated liquid. The powder may be one that dissolves completely or partially. It is better to choose those powders that dissolve in water without residue and are based on peat. To prepare the drug must be strictly adhering to the instructions attached to the tool.

Agronomists choose 0.1% HUMATE for soaking seeds. Dilute the product immediately before use. After two hours, the effect of the drug disappears.

How to prepare the drug? Dissolve 1% powder in pure water (1 gram of powder per 0.1 liter of liquid). The remaining powder is stored in the refrigerator. How many days should the seeds be left in the solution? Keep the seed in the humate need for a day, while the seeds are periodically stirred.

It is possible to soak the seeds in the humate only after their disinfection.

In homemade

Aloe juice

In itself, aloe is considered a natural immunostimulant.

The juice from the leaves is best squeezed by hand without the use of metal utensils.
Then the juice is diluted with water in proportions of 1: 1.
In this solution, gauze is moistened, and seeds are put into it for a day.

Ash solution

This tool helps to nourish tomatoes with mineral elements.

To prepare the mixture, 2 tablespoons diluted in 1 liter of pure water and insist means at least two days.
After this time has elapsed, seeds should be put in the solution for 3-6 hours.

Honey Tincture

20 grams of honey diluted in 250 ml of water.
Pour the solution into the container and put a bag of seeds in it for a quarter of a day.

Potato Juice

Stimulates seed germination.

To prepare the juice, several medium-sized potatoes are frozen in the freezer and then completely thawed.
In this state, the potato will put the juice to be squeezed.
How long to soak? They put seeds in it for 5-6 hours.

If an agronomist wants to achieve excellent results in vegetable production, he needs to make a little effort. Such efforts include soaking seeds. This The procedure helps to enhance the growth process, the immune system, and also to prevent attacks of pests and diseases, as well as to survive various stressful situations that may occur in the process of growth of vegetable crops.