What is a seedling and how is it done? There are many advantages of making a seedling at home and doing a later transplant. Today we will see what types of seedlings are and the steps to make a homemade vegetable seed.
A seedling is a container where the seeds of the plants are sown for, once germinated and a little grown, to be transplanted into the soil, benches, or pots or other crops.
After proper planning of the garden (location, plant containers, species to cultivate…), we can begin the cultivation ourselves from the seed. Except in the species such as garlic or potato (in which it is not necessary to make a seed because they reproduce asexually from a part of the plant), it will be very beneficial to obtain first the seedlings and then plant them in the garden.
Instead of preparing seedlings we can also purchase a seedling with small seedlings or seed seed seed seedlings already seededed in some nursery or specialized shop.
Buying the plantons allows us to try many varieties of vegetables as it is easy to find in the market numerous vegetables and aromatics that are sold in containers. It is also more comfortable because it avoids the phase where the plant is more delicate and demanding: the germination of the seeds.
But the acquisition and transplantation of somewhat grown plants (plantels) also has its disadvantages: besides being more expensive to buy the seedlings, it can be more difficult to adapt to the definitive terrain where the plant will grow (this will adapt much better to the medium if germinates and performs all its growth in the same place).
If we choose to germinate the seeds at home there are two options: direct sowing on the ground or prior sowing on a seed. If you decide for the second option today we will see some tricks and tips to learn how to make a seed step by step.
When to prepare a seedling and when to make direct sowing:
Direct seed: garlic, spinach, beans, beans, peas, maize, potato, radish, carrot.
sow in seed: acelga, celery, eggplant, berza, broccoli, col, cauliflower, onion, escarola, lettuce, pepper, puerro, beetroot, tomato.
Advantages of making a seedling
- The temperature and humidity conditions are more controlable so the percentage of germination increases (we save seeds).
- It reduces the time of cultivation as the time of occupation of the final container is less (and can be used while that space).
- The seedling does not compete with others as it grows in a very small space free of weeds.
- It helps the plant to compete with the weeds because when transplanted it is already grown but the weeds have not yet begun to germinate.
- Gross changes or low temperatures affect less seed germination than directly on the ground.
Disadvantages
The drawback is that the roots of some plants are more sensitive and may suffer damage to the transplant. Still, we can perform seedlings with virtually all the vegetables if we put a little effort and care.
For example, cucurbitaceae (calabacín, cucumber, watermelon…) and leguminous (habas, peas…) are more delicate and should be transplanted with cepellón and be careful not to crumble, while others such as onion, lettuce or cabbage bear very well the transplant -even at a naked root – and therefore are traditionally cultivated. Only in some cases, such as carrots or radish, it is not advisable to grow in seedlings because the transplant damages the root.
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But the choice is in our hand and we can also make a direct sowing and save ourselves the realization of the seedling and the transplant time, as long as the vegetable does not have a demanding requirement of temperature and humidity for its nascent, as is the case of pumpkin, eggplant or tomato.
How to make a homemade seed step by step
What are the materials to make a seedling and the steps to follow? What is the best land or substrate for seedlings? Below we will see what are the steps to make a homemade seed.
- Types of containers
Reused containers can also be used to make seedlings (such as yogurt containers, egg cartons, trays, cranberries…). If you use this type of containers don’t forget to make holes at the base of the seedmills to favor drainage and prevent the seed from rotting.
There are also new containers of biodegradable materials that prevent transplantation as they are also planted on the ground along with the seedling. It’s the case with the mob seed and jiffys.
- substrate for seedlings
Like in the growing containers it is important to put a drainage layer in the bottom of the seedling (arena, clay balls…), on which the substrate for seedlings will be placed.
As a substrate we can use the same with which we will fill the containers of our orchard, although it should be tamed – to remove the large particles that make it difficult to germination- and add organic matter (compost, peat or root biostimulants).
We can also use sand or perlite mixed to equal parts with organic matter (compost, peat, vermicompost…), or buy a special substrate for seeders.
The most important thing is that the substrate of the seedling maintains the proper humidity, since the newly germinated plants are very sensitive to the lack of water, so we must incorporate it wet and not let it dry completely (although avoiding stagnations).
- Seeds and sowing depth
The depth to which they should bury is approximately twice as much as the seed measures:
We will sow as many seeds as plants we want to grow in our garden, more than 10-15 % leftover because there is always one that does not germinate.
- Irrigation and germination of seeds in seedlings
Once the seed is buried and the substrate is compacted a little, it will be done with a lot of care (preferably with a sprayer so that the seeds do not sink) a planting irrigation, very important for the proper development of our plants, and it will continue to water in this way to maintain the moisture of the seed.
If necessary, and the temperature drops too much at night, store the seeds inside or sheltered so that the temperature does not adversely affect germination.
Once the seed germs, about a week later (except for a few plants such as celery and parsley, which takes longer), put the plants in a place with plenty of light to develop properly.
- Transplantation of plantings to the definitive field
The transplant from the seedlings should be performed when there is no risk of frost and the plant height exceeds that of the container (about 8-10 cm).
After planting holes in the substrate, we will carefully remove each seedling seedling seedling, insert them into the holes, fill the holes with ground and water.
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