Picking: Why Waste Extra Time?

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

Many gardeners are wondering: why waste time picking, because you can sow seeds and just wait for strong seedlings to rise in containers, and not injure the plant with unnecessary worries. This is partly true, and some plants really find it easier to do without picking. However, this technique has its own advantages, which should not be forgotten

Water and air are two important conditions

First of all, a small seed and seedling does not require a large feeding area. A small lump of substrate is enough for him to break through the layer of earth to the light. But just after that, the roots need access to oxygen. And through thick soil, aeration of the roots will be difficult. Therefore, it makes sense to germinate seeds in shallow containers, and then dive into deeper layers.

In addition, the delicate roots are very sensitive to moisture. They react sharply to both a lack of moisture and stagnant water in the earth. Therefore, when in a deep layer the water does not have time to evaporate or drain, the seedlings may begin to rot. There is no such problem in thin layers.

Economical reception

Plus, picking will save both usable area and precious seeds. When we carry out cultivation without picking, and even more so - directly into the open ground, in the calculation of the number of seeds it is necessary to take into account both non-emerged seedlings and poorly developed ones. Of course, with high-quality pre-sowing preparation, these negative moments may not happen. And yet we are reinsured, and then reluctantly we have to thin out the beds. Picking eliminates this unpleasant procedure, because already at the stage of seedling emergence, we reject low-quality ones, and calculate the optimal planting area.

Among other things, valuable sowing area is saved. Indeed, while a permanent place is not occupied by seeds or seedlings, in the meantime, the harvest of other early ripening crops is ripening in pots or in the beds.

Heroic seedlings

In addition to other positive aspects, picking strengthens the root system of future seedlings. The fact is that during the picking process, the seedling is really stressed. Moreover, when the plant is removed from the earth, its taproot is damaged. But it is this that stimulates the formation of many new small lateral roots in the stem. In this way, the foundation is laid for a more extensive and robust healthy root system.

Later, when transplanting seedlings, the plant is removed from its individual pot with a lump of earth. Therefore, the risk of root damage during planting in the open field is reduced and the plant takes root better.

Pick technique

For a convenient dive, you need to get a thin wooden stick with a pointed end. This is easy to disinfect before work by scalding it with boiling water. In this respect, it is more convenient than plastic and metal.

The pick is performed in the following sequence:

1. The seedling is taken out of the ground by gently prying it with a stick.

2. Make a hole in a pot with soil mixture for seedlings.

3. The seedling is taken by the cotyledons or leaves and placed in the hole so that the roots do not curl upwards.

4. The plant is buried in the ground to the leaves, then the roots are pressed tightly with the earth.

5. After the pick, the seedlings are watered and shaded from the direct sun until they take root in a new place.

Seedling pots do not need to be filled to the top with the nutrient mixture. From the edge of the container to the ground level, leave about 1 cm in height of free space. At the bottom of the pot, do not forget to arrange a drainage layer so that water does not stagnate after watering.

Plants of the pumpkin family are poorly tolerated. It is better to sow them immediately in separate pots.