In order to achieve the maximum level of seed germination, it is necessary to carry out painstaking preparatory work before planting them. The list of works includes sorting seeds by size, preventive treatment with disinfectants and soaking. This will improve the quality of the seed and will contribute to a larger yield.
The process of soaking seeds in water or bio-solution allows them to germinate much earlier. This is necessary to preserve the planting material, as the seeds can be eaten or damaged by pests or will begin to rot due to a long stay in moist soil. And soaking allows the seeds to sprout not only quickly, but also in large quantities.
Preparing for seed soaking
The soaking of seeds must be carried out only after the obligatory disinfecting treatment and, preferably, before planting them in the soil. It is necessary to prepare not only the seeds, but also a small piece of gauze, water and a container for it (for example, a saucer or a wide plate). Water must be necessarily purified, melted or bottled non-carbonated. It will be even better if the water comes from a spring or other natural source. Most gardeners and summer residents do not recommend using tap water for these purposes, although you can take it too.
Soaking is especially necessary for seeds with a compacted shell, which slows down the process of their germination, and for those containing a large amount of essential oils. Pumpkin, watermelon, sweet and hot peppers, zucchini, tomatoes and cucumbers, peas and beans have thick-shelled seeds. And the seeds of crops such as parsley, celery, dill, carrots and parsnips contain essential oils that interfere with rapid germination. These oils are washed out when soaked, and the sprouting process is accelerated.
Basic rules for soaking seeds
In the prepared dish, you need to put a damp piece of thin cloth or gauze, on which the prepared seeds are laid, and on top - a second layer of the same moistened cloth.
Heat the water to a temperature of about 35 degrees and pour it into a container with seeds in gauze. The water should be clear. If the liquid has darkened or changed color, then you need to replace it.
The volume of water and seeds is the same for crops such as beans, peas, beets, dill, and parsley. But for seeds of pumpkin, watermelon, zucchini, cucumbers and tomatoes, the volume of water should not exceed 50% of the volume of planting material.
Soaked seeds are best kept in a dark room at a temperature of 21-25 degrees Celsius from two hours to two days, depending on the culture.
Since the seeds do not need air, the container with the seeds can still be packed in a polyethylene bag. Such a mini-greenhouse should be located in a warm, darkened room.
The duration of the stay of the seeds in the water should not exceed a certain time, as they may die. For instance:
- For zucchini, cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes and beets - 17-18 hours.
- For dill, parsley, carrots, onions - two days.
- For large seeds with a mealy structure - 2 to 4 hours.
Soaking seeds in bio-solution
Biological solutions that help seeds germinate faster can be purchased at specialty stores for gardeners and gardeners. Their assortment is very rich and varied.
Zircon - a biological product that contains chicoric acid and promotes rapid growth. The drug is considered one of the strongest stimulants, which helps the speedy growth and development of not only seedlings, but also the root part of young seedlings.
Epin - the drug is made on the basis of plants and helps to strengthen the immunity of plant crops, as well as their ability to adapt to adverse weather conditions (for example, a decrease in air temperature, lack of lighting). The process of adaptation of seedlings to new living conditions is almost painless.
Humate - an environmentally friendly preparation based on humic acid.
In addition to ready-made commercial preparations, you can soak seeds in self-prepared infusions. These biological solutions are prepared from different components depending on the culture. For instance:
- for cabbage, radish, peas and beans - chamomile infusion.
- for tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, carrots, dill - valerian infusion.
- for spinach, beets, zucchini - mullein infusion.
For soaking the seeds, it is also recommended to take freshly squeezed aloe juice and ash infusion (based on wood ash).
How to soak for each crop
Soaking cucumber seeds
The first thing to do before soaking is thoroughly, for 1-2 hours, dry the seeds near a warm surface (for example, near a heater or central heating battery). The second step is sorting the seeds. It is necessary to discard all low-quality copies. And only the next step is soaking the seeds in a natural biological solution or in a biostimulator. During the time spent in a special solution (for cucumbers it is 12 hours), the planting material will not only swell or begin to germinate, but also undergo a disinfecting prophylactic treatment.
Experienced gardeners advise the same procedure to be carried out with seeds of some other vegetable crops: pumpkin, radish, watermelon, cabbage, zucchini and squash.
Soaking dill and parsley seeds
The planting material of these crops contains a large amount of essential oils, so the soaking procedure lasts for two days. The essential oil inhibits the seedling process and must be washed out. It is recommended to leave the seeds in thawed or spring water (or purified water) a few days before planting for at least 48 hours. After soaking, the seeds should be allowed time to dry. This process should take place in a dark room. If all stages of the procedure are performed correctly, then the planting material after drying will be crumbly.
April is considered a favorable time for sowing greens (dill and parsley). Together with them, you can prepare the seeds of vegetables such as parsnips, carrots and lettuce for planting in the same way.
Beet seed soaking
Beet seeds are recommended to be subjected to this preparatory procedure for planting about a couple of days earlier. The planting material must be sorted out, get rid of all damaged and low-quality seeds. The process of swelling of beet seed material lasts for a day. The water for soaking should be between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. You can take purified or settled water, as well as ordinary tap water. It is very important that in the first ten hours, every two hours, the water in the bowl with the soaked seeds is changed to fresh water.
The abundance of the crop depends on quality planting material and on the correct preparation of seeds for planting. If the soaking of seeds is carried out taking into account all the tips and recommendations, then high germination and a large yield will be guaranteed.
