Tobacco seedlings: rules and specifics of growing at home

Tobacco products on the market today are becoming less and less quality. Another disadvantage is the constant increase in their cost. Therefore, many people are engaged in independent cultivation of tobacco seedlings. It is important to consider that this process has a number of nuances and features. To get a strong plant, it is worthwhile to carry out planting work correctly and provide it with quality care.

When to plant tobacco seedlings

Growing seedlings of tobacco takes 1.5-2 months - this is the period before planting in the ground. Therefore, it is important to focus on the climate of the region.In the southern regions, planting work can be carried out at the end of February, and in the north - at the beginning of April. For the middle lane, the second half of March is considered the best option.

Choosing the right variety

When growing tobacco on your own, it is important to choose the right plant variety. The most popular options are:

1. Kentucky Burley is considered the most popular variant and is often used to make cigarettes. The composition contains a minimum of sugar, which simplifies fermentation.
2. Ternopil - is a product of successful selection. It is characterized by a wonderful aroma and unpretentious care. The plant develops well even in poor soils.
3. Jubilee 142 - was once very popular in the USSR. From 1 square meter you can get 3.6-3.8 kilograms of tobacco.

Specifics of growing at home

Tobacco is considered a thermophilic plant. Although the culture may grow in the northern regions, the taste will differ significantly. The result of growing a plant is influenced by the parameters of humidity, the specifics of the soil, the content of s alts and minerals in it.

Before planting seedlings, it is recommended to choose the right place for it. Sometimes tobacco has to be grown in greenhouse conditions.

Preparation of soil and drainage substrate

Tobacco beds need to be plowed in autumn. In early spring, the soil should be cultivated with a cultivator and a harrow. Then make beds 1-1.5 meters wide and 10-15 centimeters long.

Nutritious soil is suitable for growing seedlings. To prepare such a mixture, it is recommended to mix loose humus, sand and soil in equal parts. It is important that the substrate remains loose and forms a crust. In this case, the earth should not be clay.

Soddy soil is considered the best option. There should be no chlorine in the humus. It does a lot of damage to seedlings. Expanded clay or small chips should be used as drainage.

Optimal pot sizes

For seedlings, it is recommended to use containers of small height and depth. Purchased pots or plastic glasses are suitable for this purpose. The container must be treated with potassium permanganate and dried.

Selection and stratification of seeds

Seed material is recommended to buy from reliable manufacturers. In this case, it is important to study the information on the packaging. There should be information about the variety, flowering time, planting features. In addition, the packaging indicates the expiration date.

Also, seed material can be collected independently from flowering bushes. In this case, it is recommended to take well-dried flowers, dry them, pour the seeds into a paper bag and place them in a dark and dry place.

Before planting, the seeds must be sorted. In this case, you need to get rid of low-quality, empty and damaged grains. The remaining seeds need to be soaked and stratified.

It is important to adhere to certain rules. After soaking, you need to dry the planting material, then put it in a disinfected glass container with a layer of 3 centimeters and moisten it with a spray bottle for 3-5 days, stirring gently. This is required to be done 6 times a day. Of no small importance is maintaining the temperature at +27 degrees.

Terms and technology of sowing

To plant a plant at the bottom of the prepared container, you need to pour out a layer of drainage, and spread the soil on top and pour it with warm water. Tobacco has very small seeds. Therefore, they need to be sown by hand, spreading over the surface.

Create optimal conditions for seedlings

In order for tobacco to grow and develop normally, it is important to adhere to a number of agrotechnical rules. At the same time, it is important to provide the culture with comfortable conditions by choosing the optimal parameters of temperature, humidity and light.

Temperature, lighting and humidity

Before the first sprouts appear, tobacco needs a temperature of +23 degrees. Subsequently, the parameters must be reduced to +18 degrees. When the first shoots appear, you need to remove the film to remove the greenhouse effect, and move the seedling container to the southern windowsill.

The plant needs not only daylight, but also additional lighting. For this purpose, it is worth using special phytolamps. They are recommended to be placed 5-10 centimeters from seedlings and turned on in the morning and evening. It also needs to be done on cloudy days.

Irrigation and fertilization

An important condition for care is systematic moisturizing. Tobacco is recommended to be watered by drip. Before the first shoots appear, the soil should be moistened with a spray bottle. Only after that you can proceed to watering.

Immediately after the appearance of the first three leaves, the covering material must be removed and picked. This manipulation is performed by transshipment.

Individual containers are recommended to be installed in a well-lit area. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the temperature in the room is + 16-18 degrees. The need for watering should be checked according to the condition of the soil. Excess moisture causes the development of fungi.

Tobacco needs nutrient soil. Therefore, it will not be possible to do without fertilizers. Soil for picking should be mixed with s altpeter, chicken manure or superphosphate. Potassium s alt is also suitable as a fertilizer.

Cultivation of seedlings of tobacco has many features. In order for the plant to develop normally, it is important to carry out planting work correctly and provide the culture with quality care.

Recommended