Experienced gardener probably heard about the method of growing seedlings in the cochlea, which many prefer to use. It is good in that it makes it possible to save a lot of space for planting. This way you can grow almost any seedling.
"Snail" for seedlings - where to start
"Snail" is a soft substrate under the laminate, rolled into a roll. It can accommodate dozens of seeds. At the same time, the "snail" will occupy a place equal in volume to the usual glass.
For the production of "snails" it is recommended to cut a part of the substrate under a laminate with a width of about 15 cm. We also need toilet paper and a container filled with water.
How to plant seedlings in a "snail"?
The process of planting seeds for seedlings by the "snail" method is as follows. We take a strip, cut from the substrate under the laminate, and put on it a strip of toilet paper. On paper, we place seeds, we cover them with a second strip of toilet paper. Moisturize paper and seeds and turn all the resulting structure into a roll. It must be installed in a container with water in such a way that the water reaches the level of toilet paper. The seeds will be in a moist environment and will quickly sprout.
Since the appearance of green shoots, the roll is unwound in order to fill the earth. This must be done so that the seedlings are fed. After that, the "snail" is again wrapped in a roll. This time it will be necessary to bend one end of the structure, it will be thicker. The seedlings placed in this way are left until the moment of picking.
Pros and cons of the method of landing in the "snail"
Cultivation of plants by seedling method in the "snail" has the following advantages:
- seedlings will not suffer from the disease with a "black leg", since they do not touch the ground;
- the place on the windowsill is considerably saved. But it should be borne in mind that cultures that love heat and which grow slowly, still have to dive on individual tanks.
The disadvantages of this method include:
- Seedlings receive less illumination compared to the traditional method of planting;
- seedlings are placed too densely;
- the probability of seedling and the formation of a less developed root system.
The method of seedlings in the "cochlea" for different plants
For individual plant species, there are specific features when carrying out their planting in the "snail", which should be taken into account:
- For some crops, the way they are transplanted from the "snail" is the simplest. So, after extraction from the "snail", you can immediately plant in the land seedlings of peppers, eggplants , onions, leeks .
- Many gardeners wonder: when to transplant seedlings tomato from a snail? For tomatoes, an obligatory condition will be the preliminary holding of a pick. This is due to the fact that they have an easy opening of the roots. After this, all the forces of the plant go to restore the root system. To ensure that it develops and is strengthened to a sufficient extent, tomatoes are piqued.
Most of all, the method of growing seedlings in the "cochlea" is suitable for cold-resistant vegetables. It is less preferable to use this method for heat-loving and slowly growing crops. In order for such plants to become sufficiently strong, they will still have to be dived from rolls into separate containers with earth.
Thus, you can choose for yourself the most suitable way for you to plant seeds. If you have a limited area for growing seedlings, you can always apply the method of cultivation in the "snail".