Chinese Method of Growing Tomato Seedlings

Vegetable growers dream of a bountiful harvest from any crop. Using the Chinese method for growing tomato seedlings will help you achieve a bountiful harvest. It's essential to strictly follow the recommendations of Eastern specialists. And you won't encounter any complications along the way.

What is interesting about the Eastern method?

The Chinese technology is not complicated. Even a beginner can follow the experts' recommendations. A distinctive feature of this method for growing tall tomatoes lies in a few nuances that must be taken into account when planting:

1. Planting time. It's long been known that Easterners rely on the moon for everything. When planting tomato seeds, it's important to choose the right day according to the lunar calendar. The moon should be in Scorpio and definitely waning.
2. The transplant is done exactly one month later. This means the second transplant is again done in Scorpio and during the waxing moon. The process itself has its own tricks. The seedling is trimmed and planted in containers without roots.
3. Humus is not added to the soil.
4. When growing seedlings, maintain the temperature regime, day and night.

The method itself is effective; the tomatoes grow large. Any gardener can plant a few plants to test them out. Afterward, you'll truly appreciate the difference. The Japanese method is effective, according to gardeners.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Chinese Method of Growing Tomatoes

Chinese vegetable growers have been growing vegetables this way for a long time. It's a relatively new method in our country. Gardeners are just beginning to embrace it and use it in their plots.

Pros:

• the first brush is laid low;
• the height of the bush is reduced;
• plants are easier to care for;
• tomatoes grow large;
• the plant is stress-resistant;
• the stems grow powerful and strong;
• The growth of tomato bushes stops after picking.

Cons:

• The method is valid only for hybrids and indeterminate varieties.

Gardeners will be able to truly appreciate this method after growing tomatoes on their own plot. The only caveat is to follow all the steps carefully. Only then will they fully appreciate the effectiveness of this tomato-growing method.

Process

When planting this way, it's important to follow the instructions precisely. To compare results, gardeners plant several bushes using the traditional method and several using the Chinese method.

Sowing seeds

Before sowing, the planting material must be prepared. To do this, the seeds undergo several stages:

1. Prepare an ash solution. Pour 1 tablespoon of wood ash into 500 ml of boiling water. Let the mixture steep for 24 hours. Then strain it, and add the seeds wrapped in a cloth. Leave for 2 hours.
2. Prepare a solution of potassium permanganate at a concentration of 1.5%. Soak the seeds in it for 20 minutes. This will help eliminate viruses and pathogenic bacteria.
3. The seeds are thoroughly washed and soaked in a growth stimulator for 20-30 minutes.
4. The final stage is placing the seeds in the freezer for 24 hours. This enhances the plants' immunity and resistance.

Once the planting material is prepared, the containers are prepared. A drainage layer is created at the bottom. Fertile soil is taken from the garden.Never add compost. It contains viruses and pathogens.

Before planting, the containers are watered with a warm solution of potassium permanganate. When the soil is ready, furrows are made, spaced 4 cm apart and 2 cm apart. Another peculiarity of the Chinese method is that the seeds are planted cold. Cover the container with plastic and place it in a warm, dark place. Seedlings should appear within 5 days.

Caring for seedlings

After germination, the plants begin hardening off. At night, the pots with the seedlings are moved to another room, preferably where the temperature is 3-4 degrees cooler. Otherwise, care is the same as for regular tomatoes.

Picking seedlings

A distinctive feature of the Chinese planting method is that the seedlings are pricked out when the moon enters Scorpio, 28 days later. The elongated seedlings are trimmed back to ground level and planted in individual pots.

The soil should be the same as when the seeds were planted. There should be no humus. Until roots form, the tomato containers are placed in a warm, dark place, after being generously watered and covered with plastic. A second rooting method involves placing the cuttings in water until roots appear, then planting them in their permanent location.

Care - temperature, watering, fertilization

Before transplanting outdoors, care for the plants the same way you would for regular tomatoes. Water them when the top layer of soil dries out. Feed them with complex mineral fertilizers (Baikal is recommended) or organic matter. Maintain a nighttime temperature of 17°C and a daytime temperature of 22°C. After watering, loosen the soil.

At night, the pots with seedlings are moved to another room with a lower temperature. This simulates natural growing conditions.When the plants are well rooted, they are transferred to a permanent growing location or planted in separate containers.

Transshipment into open or greenhouse soil

The final stage of transplanting is transferring the plants to the garden beds. The gardener determines the timing, taking into account the climate of the growing region. Planting is carried out using the usual method for vegetable growers.

Fertilizing after planting in the ground

When transplanting plants to their permanent location, they need to be fertilized. The first application of complex mineral fertilizers is 10-14 days after transplanting. Fertilize again after the ovary appears on the third cluster. The fertilizer applied should contain boron. Generally, fertilization is no different from regular growing.

Tomatoes are tied up and trained. The future harvest depends on how well this is done. The supports are installed based on the size of the future plant. Large tomatoes require stakes 2-2.5 meters high, while short tomatoes require stakes 1 meter high.

Formation in the Chinese way

The plan is to form two stems. The remaining side shoots are removed. All clusters above the sixth are trimmed with a sharp knife.

Common mistakes

There are a number of mandatory actions, failure to perform which will result in a decrease in the effectiveness of the method:

1. Relying on genetically determined hardiness, vegetable growers don't harden off their plants. This shouldn't be done.
2. Don't overplant; too much doesn't mean too much. Plants don't get the air they need, which results in reduced yields.
3. When gartering, do not tighten the stem and support.
4. Watering should be done carefully, so that drops of moisture do not fall on the bushes.

Strict adherence to the rules will allow you to get healthy, strong tomato bushes.

Feedback from our readers

To fully appreciate the method's results, the vegetable grower is looking for reviews. According to comments from gardeners, the Chinese method is effective.

Anastasia: "The yield is increasing, the plants are becoming more resilient and strong. Along with standard farming practices, we got an excellent tomato harvest. I recommend trying it."

Growing tomatoes using the Chinese method is not difficult. You just need to try and evaluate the method before you begin growing all your seedlings using it.