In the spring greenhouse, after planting eggplants, cultivating strong seedlings is essential for achieving early maturity and high yield. Compared to traditional seedlings, plug seedlings offer several advantages, including stronger growth, fewer diseases, shorter growing time, efficient use of space, greater uniformity, and easier transportation—making them a popular choice among vegetable farmers. Here's how it's done:
Eggplant plug seedlings are typically 60 to 70 days old before transplanting. Growers commonly use 50 or 72-cell trays. The growing medium is usually a mix of vermiculite, chicken manure, cow manure, and peat moss, in a ratio of 2:1:1:1 or 1:1:0.5:0.5. A small amount of slow-release fertilizer is also added. The peat should be crushed before mixing. The prepared medium is then placed into the trays, making sure not to overfill them to avoid water runoff during watering.
To prepare the seeds, they are first soaked in warm water at 50°C to 55°C for about 20 hours at room temperature. After soaking, the seeds are rinsed with clean water, and the used water is filtered and saved for later use.
Before sowing, the seedling tray cells are pre-moistened. The seeds are then placed into each cell, one or two seeds per cell, and covered with a thin layer of the growing medium. The surface is leveled with the tray, and the tray is covered with plastic film to maintain moisture and warmth. The ideal temperature for germination is between 25°C and 30°C. Once more than 50% of the seeds have emerged, the plastic film is removed, and the temperature is adjusted to 22°C to 25°C.
Throughout the seedling stage, it’s important to monitor the moisture level. When the surface of the medium starts to turn white, it’s time to water. Additionally, depending on the nutrient content of the medium and the growth of the seedlings, a foliar spray can be applied. A solution of 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate mixed with 0.2% urea is often used to supplement nutrients and promote healthy growth.
By following these steps, growers can ensure that their eggplant plug seedlings are strong, uniform, and ready for transplanting, setting the stage for a successful growing season.
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