Properly grown seedlings are the key to a good harvest. It is necessary to plant seedlings in open ground at the age of 55-60 days. But what to do with the seedlings, which were not possible to plant on time, and they overgrew? Let's try to deal with this problem and find out how to plant overgrown tomato seedlings.
Reasons for overgrowing seedlings
There are several reasons for the overgrowth of seedlings:
- insufficient lighting;
- early sowing;
- non-compliance with the temperature regime in the greenhouse;
- excessive watering;
- too frequent feeding;
- late frosts.
You can understand how much the tomato seedlings have outgrown as follows:
- Not overgrown seedlings will be tall 30 cm, 4 leaves and elongated internodes. Planting such plants does not require additional measures, except for hardening. Saplings take root pretty quickly;
- Medium-overgrown seedlings have a long stem 45cm, 6 leaves and already forming buds. Such seedlings take root poorly and the already formed ovaries may be the only ones;
- Severely overgrown seedlings in height 50-60 cm, there are 6 leaves on the stem and the buds are already blooming. Such seedlings rarely take root, mostly dying.
If the seedlings outgrow, and it is not possible to plant them immediately, they must be moved to a room with a lower temperature and stop watering. This will inhibit growth.
How to harden overgrown tomato seedlings
Overgrown tomato seedlings weak immunity... Before planting it in the soil, it must be hardened. If this is not done, the seedlings will die.
In the first two days of hardening the plant, it is necessary take out on the street in cloudy warm weather... Air humidity should be increased. Leave the seedlings on the street for 2 hours, in the future, the time needs to be increased.
After a week, leave the seedlings outdoors all day... If the seedlings were grown in the presence of good lighting, and the temperature in the room was maintained at 20 degrees, then such plants will easily tolerate the hardening procedure.
Possible measures before planting seedlings in the ground
- If the seedlings are overgrown, and it is too early to plant, in this case it is necessary cut half a bush, put the upper part in water and, after the roots appear, plant it in the ground. The lower part will grow out of the stepson. Such seedlings will begin to bear fruit 14 days later.
- Transplant the seedlings into another container with a larger volume. Fertilizers must be added to the soil.
- Increase the container in heightby attaching an additional cardboard ring to the top and adding soil.
Planting overgrown tomato seedlings in open ground
Not overgrown seedlings are planted in holes in such a way that the roots feel spacious and the stem is deepened 1/3 part... The hole is covered with soil and well watered with settled water at room temperature.
Before planting, seedlings must be treated with a growth stimulating drug. This will increase immunity and use the internal strength of the plant.
Medium overgrown plants are planted inclined... It is necessary to dig a hole so deep as to place the root in it and 1/2 part stem... The stem should be placed at an angle and covered with earth.
The soil must be watered with warm water, and around the trunk, on the soil surface, attach black polyethylene. These measures will allow you to regulate soil moisture in order to prevent root rot. Within 14 days, fertilize with fertilizers containing potassium to improve the plant's immunity.
Remove the lower leaves on the stem, as, remaining in the soil, they can cause rotting.
Often gardeners make a mistake when planting heavily overgrown seedlings. Dig a hole and bury the plant into it to the lower leaves. By this time, the soil is not yet sufficiently warmed up and there is a threat that the roots of the seedlings will begin to hurt and develop poorly. Accordingly, the yield will be low.
To prevent these problems, overgrown seedlings should be planted. lying down... To do this, an oblong trench is dug in the beds. It should not be deep, about 10 cm, since the root system of tomatoes is located closer to the surface.
Pour 5-6 liters of water into the trench and wait until it is absorbed into the soil. It is advisable to pour humus on the bottom. The plant lower leaves are removed, the seedling is laid lying in a trench so that it remains on the surface just the top... The root should be facing south and the crown facing north.
The groove is covered with earth. An additional root system will be formed from the stem deepened into the soil. The top of the seedlings must be tied to a support. Shading is recommended for the first week.
With the method of planting tomatoes lying, their root system is close to the surface. Loosening can damage the root. Therefore, soil around the bush is recommended. mulch... This will retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Dry method of transplantation A.A. Kazarina
Another way to transplant overgrown seedlings is the author's experience of planting seedlings using the dry method of Kazarin. This method is based on creation of extreme conditions for the root system.
With this method of transplantation, the stem that has given additional roots is looking for moisture, while expanding strongly. By the time the fruits form, the root system becomes very powerful.
Consider the method of this landing in stages:
- Deep grooves are dug in the soil 10cm;
- Add to the hole and mix with the soil:
- compost - ½ bucket;
- ash - 1 glass;
- manganese - 1 gram.
- Pour into the hole 5 liters of water;
- Divide the stem in half and cut off all the lower leaves;
- Put part of the stem without leaves in grooves and sprinkle with earth;
- Pour extra on top 0.5 buckets of water;
- Tie the crown of the head after it begins to stretch up;
- In the future, stop watering.
After two weeks, the leaves will wither, but there is nothing to worry about. The root system will grow actively. A month later after planting, the seedlings are fully restored and become more lush and powerful.
This planting method does not affect maturation and harvest.
Even under the most unfavorable conditions, do not despair. The situation can be corrected by applying one of the above methods. Use it and get a good harvest!