The fascinating diversity of varieties of tomatoes only becomes apparent to the hobby gardener when selecting the seed, in contrast to young plants that have already been grown. With these instructions, the cultivation of tomato seeds succeeds without stumbling blocks.

Sowing behind glass compensates for the climate deficit

Native to warm South America, tomatoes thrive in local regions from mid-May at the earliest. Direct sowing so late would not have any chance of success given the ripening time. For this reason, experienced tomato gardeners start cultivating them in sheltered areas from the beginning/mid-March. As a result, the young plants start the season with a welcome growth advantage, which compensates for the climate deficit. How to proceed:

  • Soak tomato seeds in water, chamomile tea or diluted garlic juice for half a day
  • Fill the seed tray or seed pot with potting soil, peat sand or coconut hum
  • Spread the seeds 3 centimeters apart
  • Sieve the light germs only very thinly with soil or sand and press down
  • spray with a fine water jet
  • cover with glass, plastic or cling film

Tomato seeds reliably germinate within 10-14 days at a constant temperature of 20-24 degrees Celsius. The seed preferably spends this phase in a semi-shady location, because blazing sunshine would cause the seedlings to languish. During this time, substrate and seeds must not dry out under any circumstances. Watering from below is particularly gentle, using the capillary force of the root system.

Seedlings want to be cooler and brighter

When the delicate cotyledons emerge from the seeds, the tropical plants need more light. So that the young plants do not immediately go haywire, a change of location provides a remedy. Now it can be cooler at 16-18 degrees Celsius so that the amount of light on the south window is sufficient for further growth.

Correct separation with a steady hand

After germination, tomato plants really work hard. Another pair of leaves will thrive within a few days. Now it is gradually becoming too narrow in the culture vessel, so that the time for isolation has come. What appears to the beginner as a book with seven seals under the name of pricking, in reality only requires a steady hand and these instructions:

  • Fill small pots half full with a mix of vegetable soil and sand or perlite
  • Using a wooden skewer or pricking stick, make a well in the middle
  • water each seedling a little at the roots
  • Gently lift out of the substrate using a spoon or pricking stick
  • Transplant into the new pot up to the cotyledons and water

Keep the tomato plants constantly moist in a warm, bright window seat until planting outdoors or in a greenhouse.

tips and tricks

Direct sowing of tomatoes in March or April only has a chance in a heated greenhouse, because only a constant temperature of more than 20 degrees Celsius can encourage the seeds to germinate. Alternatively, it is worth trying to sow extra-early varieties, such as the 'Stupice' cherry tomato, in the bed in mid-May. With a ripening time of 52 days, the plan could succeed.

Category:

Vegetable garden