A Little About Picking: What Is It For, And How To Do It Correctly?

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Picking is a term that came to us from the French language. In the original, it means "peg", "stake". Now, picking means transplanting seedlings in containers, sometimes in individual pots, often with pinching the root by a third

Of course, you can do without this operation, but keep in mind that dived plants have a more developed root system, grow better and get sick less. By the way, there are some plants that are not subject to picking, such as cucumbers, pumpkins and other "climbing" plants. And, for example, tomatoes and peppers can be dived, if necessary, not once, but twice!

What is the use of this operation?

First, and, perhaps, most importantly, in the process of picking, you can select the strongest and healthiest sprouts, completely removing the weak and painful ones. That is, all our seedlings will be of good quality, healthy, strong.

Second - after picking the plants, we will not have to thin out the seedlings. In addition, after this procedure, the sprouts root well, their root system develops well and subsequently the yield will be greater than on plants that have avoided picking.

Third, in dived plants, the root does not grow down, but develops in breadth. Thus, it turns out that the main part of the root system is in the upper layer of the soil, usually warm, well-heated, more fertile. And when watering, moisture reaches the plant. But in the close location of the roots to the surface there are also disadvantages, for example, in summer, in extreme heat, they can burn out, so it is advisable to mulch them.

We prepare all the necessary tools

To carry out the procedure, we need the following tools: direct seedlings that require picking, pots for seedlings, fresh high-quality nutrient soil, room temperature water for irrigation and a special peg or fork for picking.

Everything is clear with seedlings, with water and soil too. The soil is preferably commercial, soft, containing a sufficient amount of nutrients. Let's take a closer look at seedling containers and a peg or a dive fork.

For picking with further transplanting seedlings into open ground, it is best to use individual containers. In general, the optimal ones will be those with which you can plant plants in open ground together. For example, peat pots. But any, including purchased plastic cups, and various containers for juices, sour cream, and so on will go. The main thing is to rinse them thoroughly.

The peg will be needed in order to carefully remove the plants from the container before picking, as well as to straighten the roots and make holes in new containers.

We proceed directly to the pick

This operation is performed if the plants already have two true leaves! This is the most optimal time. About half an hour before the start of the procedure, water the seedlings well with water. Pour soil into the container, then with a finger (to the depth of a finger) or with a dive peg we make a depression in the ground into which we will plant the plant. Next, carefully using a small spatula (I pry it with the back of a teaspoon) or a peg, remove the plant from the soil, pinch the edge of the root, about a third part. Now we lower it into the "hole" almost to the lower leaves, carefully straighten the roots with a peg (well, an ordinary toothpick will do just fine here) and fill it with soil, compacting it near the trunk. At the end of the operation, the seedlings need to be well watered and removed from the windowsill for four to five days, giving it time to settle down, avoiding direct sunlight. Then the containers with plants can be returned to their permanent place.