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Picking eustoma is a necessary procedure when planting seeds in a common container. As the sprouts grow, they begin to lack free space, which limits their growth. Therefore, gardeners need to transplant seedlings into individual containers, boxes, pots or cups. For those who are picking for the first time, it will be useful to learn about the process.
When to pick eustoma after germination
The procedure is carried out when two full-fledged leaves appear on the eustoma. By “full-fledged” we mean the following: cotyledon leaves are first formed from the seed, then new plates sprout in the center of them - these are the full-fledged ones.
On such leaves you can see the third and even the fourth leaf - all these are cotyledon plates. If they appear (this happens on the 20-30th day), it’s time to pick up the eustoma seedlings.
1-1.5 months after the dive, the plant will have to be replanted again, as it will begin to grow. But eustoma is not yet transferred to open ground.Large pots are also not quite suitable for this; the best option is flowerpots.
According to the lunar calendar, the right time for picking is early spring
Picking up eustoma seedlings step by step at home
The procedure is carried out using a certain technology. If picking eustoma is the first time in your own practice, it is better to follow the instructions. They start by preparing the necessary tools:
- For transplantation you will need a small 100 ml container. These can be peat cups or plastic pots. If you plant small seedlings in a large container, the shoots will not begin to grow until the roots fill the entire soil. Among other things, it is easier to fill small bushes in a large container.
- Prepare the soil mixture. If there is any soil left in which the eustoma seeds grew, it will work best. You can use store-bought substrates. Do-it-yourself soil needs to be calcined and fertilized.
- Warm water will be useful for watering before and after picking eustoma.
- A toothpick, ice cream stick, spoon or other device that the owner will use to remove the eustoma should also be on the table.
- The last element is growth-accelerating drugs. After picking, seedlings will be able to take root faster if you use Epin or Zircon.
The earth needs to be watered. This is done to make the sprouts easier to remove and the procedure to be painless for them. The presence of an earthen coma helps to better survive the picking.
Instructions on how to pick eustoma seedlings at home:
- Make holes in the container, fill with drainage and fertile soil, dig holes for the seedlings.
- Remove the eustoma from the soil, transplant the sprouts in a group (if they are close) or individually (if they are far away). Leave a lump of earth.
- Place the seedling in a new place, deepening it to the bottom leaf. After picking, water the plants with a syringe or sprayer.
To accelerate development, the eustoma is sprayed with Zircon (0.1 ml) or Epin (0.2 ml). Both substances are diluted with 1 liter of water. The second picking of the eustoma is carried out using the same technology.
Caring for eustoma seedlings after picking
Since sowing is carried out in early spring, the eustoma must be supplemented with phytolamps. This applies to the stages before and after picking seedlings. Additional lighting in winter should be at least 10 hours a day. If there are no phytolamps, the plant is placed on a bright windowsill. Direct rays are avoided.
After picking, care is required for eustoma:
- Watering. The soil should not dry out for a long time - the root system will suffer. The other extreme is excess moisture, which is even more dangerous than drought. Water with settled water using a syringe or small container.
- Loosening. Each moistening also involves loosening. After watering, go over the soil with a toothpick, improving oxygen access to the roots.
- Feeding. The first additions are made 15 days after picking. Experts advise using fertilizers intended for eustoma - they contain a lot of nitrogen, which stimulates shoot growth. The sooner the crop grows green mass, the easier it will be for it to take root in the future.
- Topping. Experienced gardeners recommend pinching the top part of tall seedlings.Pinching is important for specimens with six or more leaves. After a simple procedure, the eustoma will begin to bush, and at the same time the number of flowers will increase.
After 30-40 days, the seedlings will need to be transplanted into a larger container. But the dimensions should only slightly exceed the volume of the previous container. Otherwise, active growth of the underground part will occur, and what grows above will not undergo changes. The eustoma is kept in the second container until transplanted to a permanent place.
Conclusion
Eustoma picking is a simple transplantation process in which the plant is transferred to another container in order to increase space and, as a result, prevent competition between seedlings. Botanists advise transferring the crop together with a clod of earth, since exposed roots can be damaged during transplantation. To remove seedlings with a lump, just water the soil.
