When and how to dive peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and cabbage

Why dive seedlings

As a rule, seeds are sown in small containers at once, several at a time. They begin to grow, intertwine roots and fight for a place in the common bowl. Timely picking gives seedlings more opportunities for the development and strengthening of the root system. Peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants belong to the nightshade family and have roughly the same growing season and a similar approach to growing. Cabbage is a different culture, but the picking rules for everyone will be universal.

When to dive seedlings of peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and cabbage

First, seedlings have cotyledon leaves - a pair of first leaves that have grown from a seed. They tend to be oval in shape, regardless of what the leaves of an adult plant look like. Just at this stage, it's time to dive cabbage.

But in the case of peppers, tomatoes and eggplant you need to wait for two or three true leaves.

But it’s not worth delaying with a pick: the younger the plants, the faster they adapt to new conditions.

What to do before picking

1. Prepare the ground

Experienced gardeners mix the ideal soil on their own, using peat, humus and garden soil in different proportions. To simplify your life and not drown in the complex world of agricultural technology, buy ready-made universal soil for vegetable seedlings. It is suitable for tomatoes, and for peppers, and for eggplant, and for cabbage.

Pathogenic bacteria and fungi can live in any soil, which will harm young plants. To prevent this, a few days before picking, it must be disinfected with a biofungicide solution. For example, water the soil with Fitosporin. This tool is sold in many stores and well saturates the soil with beneficial microorganisms that fight pathogens. You can prepare such a "cocktail" according to the instructions on the package.

2. Choose pots for plants

Since seedlings of tomatoes, peppers and eggplants develop quite quickly, it is better to immediately plant them in large pots, for example 400–500 ml. cabbage you need a smaller space - 200 ml. Both ready-made planters and cups of yogurt and sour cream are suitable. The main thing - do not forget to make drainage holes at the bottom. Before picking, the container should be disinfected. To do this, wipe it inside with a 1% solution of potassium permanganate.

After these simple manipulations, put a centimeter layer of drainage on the bottom of the pots. Expanded clay, sand or vermiculite is suitable - a natural mineral that absorbs moisture well. Next, add soil.

How to dive seedlings of peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and cabbage

1. Water and inspect seedlings

An hour before transplanting, the container with seedlings should be watered abundantly. So the earth ball will be better separated from the pot and you will not damage the delicate roots of young plants.

After that, carefully inspect the seedlings. Feel free to reject weak specimens - too elongated seedlings with thin stems or those that are obviously irregular in shape. They have little chance of good development, and trying to bring them to their senses will only take extra time and effort.

2. Pick seedlings

A small spatula, spoon or fork will help to remove the seedlings. The procedure is this.

Take out the sprout along with the earthy clod, holding it by the leaves. Carefully separate the plants from each other, being careful not to damage the roots.

Place them in the previously made hole in a separate pot. Planting too deep is not necessary - just immerse the plant in the soil to the cotyledon leaves. Sprinkle the seedling with earth, lightly pressing it down with your fingers.

Then slightly moisten the soil with a spray bottle.

It would be useful to water the seedlings with a solution of any rooting agent - this will help them quickly adapt to new conditions. It is better to do this with a syringe or syringe, otherwise you risk damaging the plant.

Picking for seedlings is a lot of stress, so immediately after the procedure it can wilt. Don't be scared - it's normal.

You can also pour a thin layer of vermiculite on the surface of the soil - it will save the soil from drying out and, on the contrary, absorb excess moisture if you overdid it with watering.

3. Take care of your plants

Immediately after picking, you need to put the seedlings in a cool place and protect from direct sunlight. After 2-3 days, it can be taken out on a bright, warm windowsill or under phytolamp.

Don't forget to water your plants regularly. The surface of the soil should not dry out, but you should not make a swamp in a pot either. Let the soil be moderately moist.

4. Provide seedlings with additional nutrition

After 8-12 days, when the seedling releases 3-4 true leaves, feed the tomatoes, peppers and eggplants with any liquid organic fertilizer for vegetable seedlings. Such a remedy is also suitable for cabbage, but you need to apply it earlier - when it has the first real leaves. As a rule, the dose for adult seedlings is indicated on the package, therefore for small sprouts for the first time it is better to reduce the concentration by half. Feed the plants after two weeks following the fertilizer instructions. It all depends on which tool you choose, each will have its own scheme. But remember that any fertilizer must be added to wet soil to prevent root burn.

Also, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants respond well to foliar feeding. Spray the plants once a week with any growth regulator. It is important to do this in the evening because the sunlight combined with the fertilizer can burn the leaves.