Soaking is one of the important stages in preparing for sowing corn. This measure is aimed at stimulating growth processes and also helps the grain to germinate even during dry periods, thereby increasing germination. But to achieve the desired effect, the seeds should be soaked correctly. Let's talk in more detail about this measure and reveal 3 secrets that will help increase seed germination.
Procedure
The soaking process consists of 3 stages. First – this is the selection of material. If the kernels are from domestic corn, you should choose only the best heads of corn, large and full. It is important that they are not damaged by pests or infected with diseases. Afterwards, soak the grains in cold water for 5-10 minutes. Those of them that float up can be safely removed and thrown away, and then drain the water from the rest. It is important to know that you should collect grains for planting only from varietal plants. Hybrids do not produce crops. You can also make the selection task easier for yourself - buy corn seeds in an online store, selecting the desired variety or hybrid. Such grains have already been selected and calibrated.
Second phase - Preparation. It will require a piece of cotton fabric (it is advisable to choose dense material, not gauze).It needs to be folded in several layers and placed on the bottom of the container, then the seeds should be spread out.
Third stage – soaking. A container with cloth and corn grains must be carefully filled with water so that it covers the seeds halfway. There is no need to submerge them completely as the grains require air to develop properly.
When distributing seeds and watering them with water, they should be positioned so that there is a distance between them. Otherwise, the roots will stick together and it will be difficult to distribute them without damage. After completing all the steps, the container with the seeds should be placed in a warm and bright place, for example, a window sill is suitable, but it is better to choose a non-sunny side of the house.
An important nuance: processed grains do not need to be soaked. In water, the solution with nutrients and fungicides on their surface will dissolve, and its benefit to the seeds will be neutralized.
3 secrets of water preparation
You can use any water to soak corn; if the seeds are of good quality, they will germinate. But experienced gardeners know several secrets that help increase the percentage of sprouted grains and also saturate them with nutrients, laying the potential for further development of sprouts:
- Melt water. You can get it in a simple way - freeze the purified liquid in the freezer. Then, leave the container with ice in a warm place and wait until about half has melted. It is this liquid that can be used, after first allowing it to warm up to the air temperature in the room. The remaining ice should be thrown away; it accumulates sediment in the form of salts and their compounds, which are of no benefit to the seeds.
- Water + honey. This sweet beekeeping product contains a large supply of vitamins and nutrients. To prepare a nutrient solution, you need to dilute a little honey in purified water (1 tsp per 250 ml of liquid).
- Water + aloe. This mixture will also help saturate the grains with useful substances necessary for the growth and development of plants. The components must be mixed in a 1:1 ratio.
Corn kernels should be soaked for about 12 hours, no longer required. They need to be planted immediately after germination, observing the square-cluster pattern of placing holes on the site.
