When cultivating seedlings of tomatoes and other garden crops, one of the important agricultural practices is picking. Gardeners with experience know about this procedure and the timing of its implementation. Beginners, on the other hand, have to sort this out and find out when to pick, if a lunar sowing calendar is needed for these purposes and what should be guided.
How many leaves should seedlings have
Some summer residents avoid the process of planting tomato seedlings and plant seeds immediately in larger containers, considering this procedure a great stress for plants. For those who still hold a different opinion, you need to know about the timing of the dive, which days are considered favorable, and when it is better to refrain from such actions.
It is believed that the best time for planting tomato seedlings occurs 7-10 days after emergence. During this period, the sprout forms a root lobe and a pair of true leaflets. If you complete the procedure sooner or later, then the plants will adapt worse to new conditions and may be prone to diseases. However, there are gardeners who dive tomatoes in the cotyledon stage, although transplanting such sprouts is quite risky due to too small roots and fragile stems, i.e., the probability of their damage is very high.
The first two leaves formed after seed germination are not real - they are cotyledon leaves, after which the real ones begin to develop.
In most cases, tomato seedlings are dived in the phase of two real leaves
The indicated picking periods are relevant with sufficient illumination of plants (12-15 hours) and maintaining the temperature regime within + 20-22 ° C during the day and + 16-20 ° C at night. With a lack of light, as well as at a higher temperature, the seedlings will be drawn out and may need an earlier dive with a burial.
Video: when to dive tomatoes
Tomato transplantation with different cultivation methods
If the culture is grown in snails, then picking is carried out when a pair of true leaves appears. When cultivating tomatoes in diapers, the sprouts are transplanted at the same time as in the usual method. When growing seedlings in the "Chinese" or "Japanese" way, the procedure is carried out 30 days after the appearance of sprouts.
Tomato seedlings dive into diapers at the age of 7-10 days after emergence
Dive in different situations
Extra picking is necessary for overgrown tomatoes, as well as tall varieties. If undersized varieties of tomatoes are pulled, then the problem boils down, as a rule, to a lack of light. Tall varieties have one characteristic feature - development will be faster, which will require additional picking. If the stem has grown quite long and is no longer able to hold upright, then it's time to perform a second transplant.
Determinant varieties (with limited growth) are picked, paying attention to the appearance of the plants. The need for a transplant is indicated by characteristic signs:
- the stalk lays;
- there is too much distance between the leaves;
- the stalk becomes thinner and curved.
If the seedlings are elongated and unable to hold upright, she needs a pick
If the seedlings after sprouts, for one reason or another, are stretched out, one must take into account that there is no sense in diving shortly before planting the plants in the ground. In order for the strong roots to form, a re-pick should be carried out about 30 days before the seedlings are planted in the ground.
Tomato Dive Lunar Calendar 2020
The influence of the moon on the development of tomatoes is an indisputable fact. During periods of moon growth, tides occur, the water level rises. At this time, the movement of the juice is directed from the roots to the leaves and further to the generative organs. It was during this period that the tomato developed intensively. A culture transplant should also be performed, adhering to the lunar calendar. On the network you can find specific dates of the month when the pick will be most favorable. These calculations are based on the phases of the moon. The gardener determines the specific time himself, but the stages of plant development, as well as the number of days from the moment of germination, should be taken into account.
The best sign for transplanting seedlings is Virgo. In particular, it is suitable for those crops that were planted when the Moon was in Cancer, Pisces or Scorpio. This is explained by the fact that plants more easily tolerate picking, are practically not prone to diseases and take root more quickly after the procedure.
Favorable days for picking tomato seedlings according to the lunar calendar in 2020
| Month | Good days to dive |
| February |
|
| March |
|
| April |
|
| May |
|
If for some reason it was not possible to carry out the seating according to the recommendations of the lunar calendar, then you can adhere to popular signs: the "male" plant is dived into the "female" day. In this case, the tomato days are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. To be sure, you should avoid transplanting on the days of the new moon and full moon:
- in March - 9 and 24;
- in April - 8 and 23;
- in May - 7 and 22.
The timing of picking tomatoes depends on the variety of culture, the time of sowing seeds and growing conditions. Plants for transplantation must be strong, but not overgrown. The gardener’s lunar calendar can be a guideline for carrying out work, following which you will be able to get a rich and early tomato crop.
