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Who among Russian gardeners today does not dream of growing eggplants on their own plot? Let’s say right away that this is not as difficult as it might seem at first, but beginners may actually have problems at the initial stage. There are rules for growing eggplants and secrets for preparing seeds for landing. Let's talk about this topic in more detail.
Basic methods of growing crops
Eggplant, which came to us from India, is very loved by our compatriots. This crop is thermophilic, does not tolerate drought and even short-term cold snaps, and grows well in light and rich soils. Choosing the right environment for growing eggplants is half the battle.
There are two ways to grow eggplants:
- sow seeds in the ground;
- grow seeds for seedlings.
Due to the fact that the growing season for almost all varieties and hybrids of eggplant is quite long, the first method is not used almost anywhere in Russia. The seedling type of cultivation is what we will talk about below.
The optimal temperature for growing should be +23-28 degrees during the day, and +17-20 at night.
The vegetative period from the appearance of the first shoots to the technical ripening of the fruit is on average 120 days, which is four calendar months. It is possible to achieve success in growing crops using the seedless method only in the south of Russia (in the Crimea, Krasnodar Territory and a number of other regions) with sufficient care and well-prepared soil.
It is worth noting that even in the south, many gardeners try to grow this crop using seedlings. This is due to the capriciousness of eggplants, which many have heard about. So how to prepare seeds for growing seedlings, and what secrets are important for a gardener to know?
Preparing seeds for cultivation
Each summer resident has his own secrets for disinfecting and soaking eggplant seeds before sowing. Let's look at a few common methods that can be taken into account.
Growing eggplants is often compared to growing heat-loving bell peppers. Moreover, these two crops can be neighbors in the garden, but they should not be predecessors of each other. The quality of the seedlings depends on how correctly the work is done.
Sowing time
Speaking about the timing when it is necessary to sow eggplant seeds, you should focus not on the labels on the packages or on advice on the Internet, but on the following circumstances:
- climatic features of the region;
- ripening period of the variety as a whole;
- method of growing eggplants (indoors or open ground).
From the moment of sowing the seeds until the seedlings are planted in the ground, 60-70 days pass. That is why certain conditions are very important in this matter.
The time for planting finished seedlings in the ground depends on the ripening speed of the selected variety. Pay attention to this.
Soil for sowing seeds and choosing containers
We have already said earlier that eggplant is a soil-demanding crop. For seedlings, you need to specially prepare a mixture that will be optimal for growing seedlings. Today, many gardeners use peat tablets when growing eggplant seedlings. This is quite convenient, but you need to choose the right size and pH. In addition, avoid drying out, which is typical for them.
The optimal acidity for eggplant seedlings is 6.0-6.7. The soil also needs to maintain this indicator.
If you are going to plant in the ground, then the mixture should consist of:
- high-quality purchased soil (2 parts);
- peat (2 parts);
- calcined river sand (1 part);
- compost (2 parts).
You can add some wood ash and some superphosphate as fertilizer. Everything is thoroughly mixed and filled into molds. Instead of molds, you can use plastic cups. The convenience is that each seedling will be in a separate container, which will simplify its replanting. The eggplant root system is weak and capricious, it does not like picking, so replanting in the summer should be as comfortable as possible for the seedlings.
In this matter, it is important to plant different varieties of eggplants in different blocks of forms, so as not to get confused later. In addition, the timing of the appearance of the first shoots varies for all varieties and hybrids.
Preparing seeds for sowing
Gardeners begin purchasing seeds in winter. The best season is January and February. In February, as a rule, they begin planting. Some people prepare seeds themselves, others buy them. The best way is to purchase seed in specialized stores. You need to pay attention to the packaging, read everything that is written on it, including information about the variety or hybrid itself, as well as the expiration date.
Conscientious producers approach the issue responsibly: the seeds go through all stages of processing in advance, and as a result they do not need to be soaked and disinfected. They are sown in moist soil and watered with a sprayer so as not to wash out the seeds, but this is the simplest option. Let's look at the process of preparing seeds for sowing, because situations are different.
It is not worth storing eggplant seeds for more than four years, since their germination rate is very poor.
Seed preparation eggplant for sowing for seedlings includes the following main steps:
- disinfection;
- growth stimulant treatment;
- germination.
Not all gardeners use the last point; it can be omitted, being confident that the seed material is of high quality. The preparation of eggplant seeds begins with disinfection. Let's look at two methods that are easy to implement in practice.
Method No. 1
It consists of carrying out thermal and chemical treatment according to the following scheme:
- Eggplant seeds are placed in very warm water (+50-52 degrees Celsius) and kept in it for 25-30 minutes, without removing them from a warm place so that the water does not cool down quickly.
- Then immediately place the eggplant seeds in cold water for 2-3 minutes.
- A solution of potassium humate (or sodium) is prepared in advance as 0.01%, and the seeds are kept in it for at least a day at room temperature.
Method number 2
This is perhaps the most famous method of disinfecting eggplant seeds today. It was also used by our grandmothers. The scheme is as follows:
- Prepare a solution of potassium permanganate (1.5%) in advance and soak eggplant seeds in it for 30 minutes.
- The seeds are washed in water, carrying out all procedures at room temperature.
Additionally, you can place the seeds in the Epin solution, following the instructions. The disadvantage of the second method is that an infection may persist inside the seeds.
After disinfecting eggplant seeds, you can proceed to treatment with modern means that promote the growth and strengthening of seedlings.
The following products can be used as a growth indicator for eggplants:
- "Novosil";
- "Ideal";
- "Baikal EM1".
If you don’t have these, the store will definitely recommend a good product. By treating seeds with a growth indicator, you can safely refuse germination. Otherwise, it is necessary to place the seed in damp gauze and wait for germination.
We draw the attention of gardeners to another important detail: eggplant seeds have a hard shell and a protective film that prevents germination. In nature, seeds fall into the soil and can germinate in the fall, however, this does not happen precisely due to the presence of this film. For this reason, you can wait a very long time for seedlings to emerge in February-March, so using a growth indicator or soaking is completely justified.
Below is a good video on preparing eggplant seeds:
Seeds of each variety are planted in grooves or small depressions according to the recommendations indicated on the package. This is usually 2 millimeters. You can use a toothpick for this.
Practical tips for growing seedlings
When the preparation of eggplant seeds for sowing is completed, they need to be placed in cups. In addition to the means listed above, rapid growth will be influenced by the abundance of light. If we talk about ideal conditions, then eggplant seedlings should be in the sun for 12 hours, and in a dark place at a low temperature for 12 hours. These conditions simulate the temperature differences that plants will soon experience.
If there is little sunlight in the region, then the seedlings will have to be supplemented with light. For this you need a phytolamp. Please note that with a lack of light, eggplant seedlings stretch out and the stems become thinner.
Another important nuance is watering: you cannot use cold water for this. It needs to be left for a day and kept at room temperature. The fact is that cold water can become a source of infections and viruses that will destroy young, fragile eggplant sprouts. The soil should not dry out, but the seedlings will not stand in water and will quickly die.
Eggplant is a rather capricious plant; it loves humidity, warmth and light. That is why all the time, from sowing to transplanting into the ground or greenhouse, you need to adhere to certain growing rules. By following the advice on the packaging, you can achieve a truly rich harvest.
