Seedling Without Land Or The "Moscow Method"

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

Landless cultivation in rolls has many advantages over traditional methods. Read the details about planting technology, care and which plants the Moscow method is suitable for

Why choose the Moscow method

Forcing seedlings without land, called "rolling", saves money on peat tablets. And if you plan to use this method for cold-resistant crops, then you will not need planting soil and seedling cups. The seedlings will dive directly into a permanent spot in the beds.

The lack of contact with the ground, at the initial stage of growth, excludes the occurrence of the disease, such seedlings do not get sick with a black leg. Space on tables and windowsills is significantly saved, which allows you to place more cups with heat-loving plants. Growing seedlings without soil gives quick germination and helps to form a stronger stem. Seedlings according to the Moscow method are perfectly transported, as they are compact and lightweight.

The roll-up method can also be used for heat-loving crops with a long growing season, but then you still have to transplant them into cups. There are also disadvantages to this method. When overexposed, the stems become excessively elongated and the root system weakens.

Landless planting technology

For work, prepare a 3-ply toilet paper, packaging containers (small food containers, cut milk bags or sour cream glasses, etc.). Also regular plastic grocery bags or cling film, scissors and seeds.

Cut the polyethylene into strips according to the width of the toilet paper (10 cm). The length is made arbitrary, but preferably 40-50 cm. On a flat surface we lay out the film, on top we line a layer of paper. Now you need to moisten with water, so as not to blur it is better to use a spray bottle. The sowing base is ready. Having stepped back from the edge a couple of centimeters, we lay out the seeds with an interval of 4-5 cm along the length of the entire line. If the seeds are small, it will be more convenient to work with tweezers.

After "sowing", cover with a second layer of paper, moisten with water and then cover with a strip of film. We wind the resulting "sandwich" into a roll, trying not to displace the layers and create an even edge. We fasten the finished roll with an elastic band, you can use a thread, wire.

Usually several species or varieties are sown, so it is important not to confuse them. Be sure to attach a label with the name of the variety immediately after making the roll. If you prefer a separate container for each roll, then write the name on it with a marker.

Seedling care

Put the finished rolls into prepared containers, pour some 2-4 cm of water into them and put a plastic bag on top. For ventilation, make small holes in each, after the sprouts appear, the bag is removed. It is important not to confuse the location of the seeds during installation - they should be at the top.

Nutrition will be provided in the form of introduced microelements. You need to feed it twice: during the opening of the seeds and when a pair of true leaves begins to form. This is done simply: diluted fertilizers are poured into a container with water. It is advisable to use humic variants produced on the basis of humus (Ideal, Gumistar, Gumi-20 and others). In order not to burn the seedlings, when feeding, the concentrate is diluted more than stated in the instructions, that is, the dose is halved.

Seedling picking

The grown seedlings are dived into cups or into the ground. To do this, roll out the roll and remove the first layer of polyethylene. Now we cut the tape into fragments with scissors (one seedling at a time). You need to divide carefully so as not to damage the plants.

As a result of development, the root system grows through the layers of paper and does not need to be separated during transplantation, since it will not interfere with further growth, we plant it in the ground with paper. If some of the plants are still small, underdeveloped, put them back in a container of water for growing.

What can be grown in the Moscow way

This technology is not suitable for plants with fragile root systems. Such plants are germinated in peat / coconut tablets or sown in the ground, followed by picking. Do not use large seeds (beans, peas, nasturtium, lupine, beets, etc.).

Leeks, cabbage, pumpkin, cucumbers, parsnips are suitable for the landless method. In the southern regions - tomatoes, peppers, eggplants. You can grow some types of herbs and flowers (basil, viola, marigold, aster, zinnia, petunia, delphinium, etc.). The roll method is best used for those plants that are immediately planted in the ground.