How to collect eggplant seeds at home, growing technique
The homeland of eggplants is Southeast Asia. But, despite this, this vegetable is very popular in our country. This is not surprising. Many varieties of eggplant are endowed with excellent taste, high yield and useful qualities of the fruit. From them you can prepare a variety of dishes and preserves. However, not every gardener knows how to properly collect eggplant seeds. How this process is carried out and what it will require will be described in detail below.
Seed collection
There are several ways to harvest eggplant seeds at home. Consider those options in which the collection will be the least laborious, and the quality of the future crop will remain at a high level.
Seed harvesting methods:
- The testes are crushed into several pieces. Separate parts of the eggplant are ground through a fine sieve. In this case, the mass must be passed so that only one seeds remain on the surface of the mesh.
- Selected eggplants, from which you want to collect seed, are cut into several thin plates. Then the seeds are carefully removed with a fork, spoon or knife.
Regardless of which method is chosen, after extraction, it is recommended to rinse the seeds with running water. In this case, all seed material that has floated to the surface must be discarded, since it is not suitable for further use.
Selection of eggplant
Experienced growers know that seed quality is directly related to the seed. With the right approach to the choice of eggplant, you can be confident in the energy of germination, abundant fruiting and high commercial characteristics of the fruit. Moreover, from year to year, the culture will adapt to the climatic conditions of the region, which will simplify the care of the plants.
So, consider the rules for choosing a testis:
- For subsequent breeding, eggplant is recommended to stay on varietal crops. The fact is that although hybrid plants are endowed with a high resistance to various diseases, they nevertheless lose their commercial qualities with further breeding.
- The characteristics of the variety must correspond to the climatic and soil conditions of the region. Otherwise, the testis will not have time to get biological ripeness.
- To keep seed quality at the highest level, the seed must only be selected from strong and healthy crops. In this case, it is recommended to give preference to the first formed fruit.
- For the seeds to be firm enough, the eggplant must be fully ripe.The stage of ripeness can be determined by the greenish-gray or yellowish-brown skin. If the fruit does not have time to ripen biologically, it is recommended to be removed to a dark, cool place for ripening after removal.
Although there are certain rules for choosing a seed, the methods of drying and storage also affect the quality of the seed.
Seed drying and storage
Eggplants, unlike other nightshade crops, require compliance with certain conditions that will ensure long-term preservation of the seed. So, after the seeds are collected, they must be thoroughly dried. Drying in the fresh air, in a dark place, is considered the best option.
If weather conditions do not allow, the seeds are spread in a thin layer in a ventilated area on a sheet of paper. This process usually takes several days.
When the seed is completely dry, a combination of external factors must be created for it, which will ensure a long shelf life.
Eggplant seed storage technology:
- Tara. The best packaging for seed material is tissue bags or paper bags.
- Temperature. It is not recommended to store eggplant seeds in a humid place. The optimum temperature is + 10- + 15 degrees. In this case, it is necessary to exclude drafts, otherwise the planting material will become unusable.
If these requirements are met, the seeds do not lose their qualities within 3-5 years. After the specified time, it is recommended to replace them.
Growing eggplant from seeds at home
Eggplant is a rather whimsical crop that requires some care when growing. However, having made an effort, each gardener, using the seeds of his own harvesting, will be satisfied with the results of the yield and the high quality of the fruits.
The necessary conditions
Today the consumer market offers early, mid and late maturing eggplant varieties. Each species requires compliance with certain growing conditions. Thus, early and mid-season crops are intended for cultivation in the northern regions of the country, where the climate is rather harsh. These varieties are grown, as a rule, in greenhouses and greenhouse structures.
For more southern regions, gardeners choose late-ripening eggplants. Their growing season - from seed germination to biological ripeness of fruits, allows you to get a harvest in the open field.
The choice of capacity and soil preparation
Eggplants have a rather weak root system, which is severely damaged during transplantation. For this reason, gardeners are advised to use peat pots for growing seedlings.
As for the soil, it should be neutral in acidity and rich in nutrients. Therefore, if the land was taken from the place where nightshade crops grew before, it is recommended to fertilize it with nitrogen and mineral fertilizers.
Seed preparation and sowing
Before planting seeds, you first need to prepare the planting material. Such actions will help prevent the development of diseases and strengthen the plant root system. Seed preparation consists of disinfecting measures. For this, a 5% saline solution is prepared. Then seeds are dropped into it for 5 minutes. After the specified time, they are washed with hot water for 20 minutes. After the planting material has been prepared, you can start planting it.
Seeding technology:
- The peat pots are filled with prepared soil.
- The earth is carefully spilled with warm water.
- In each container, a depression of 1-1.5 centimeters is made.
- One seed is placed in the holes.
- Eggplant seeds are sprinkled with earth and watered with airborne droplets.
At the end of planting, the pots are covered with foil and placed in a warm, dark place.
Sowing care
A set of measures aimed at obtaining strong seedlings is to create favorable conditions for seed germination.
Crop care includes:
- Maintaining temperature + 25- + 27 degrees.
- Preventing the soil from drying out.
In this case, it is imperative to ensure that the soil does not become waterlogged. If there is a sufficiently large amount of moisture from the pots, it is necessary to remove the film. Otherwise, with an additional greenhouse effect, the seeds will inevitably die.
Seedling care
When the first sprouts of seedlings appear, the container must be transferred to a warm, bright place, with a temperature regime of + 20- + 23 degrees.
The subsequent agrotechnology of seedling care includes:
- timely watering;
- loosening the soil;
- top dressing with complex fertilizers.
Also, while growing seedlings, do not forget about diseases and pests.
Disease and pest control
To prevent the development of diseases or the harmful effects of pests, seedlings should be periodically inspected. In the presence of insects or deformation of plants, appropriate measures should be taken immediately. So, in the fight against pests, experienced gardeners are advised to use folk remedies. The most effective method is considered to be sprinkling the ground with wood ash, and the plants themselves are recommended to be sprayed with soapy water. In the event of diseases, you can use decoctions or herbal infusions, together with fungicidal or insecticidal agents.
If the above means do not cope with the problems that have arisen, it is recommended to use chemicals.
Harvesting and storage
The period of biological ripeness of eggplant depends on the variety. On average, the first fruits can be removed 25-40 days after flowering. You can also determine the maturity of an eggplant by its skin color. As a rule, it acquires a characteristic color for the given variety. At the same time, the pulp of ripe fruits becomes quite elastic, and the seeds turn white.
Harvesting is carried out quite accurately, using a knife or pruner. The fruits are cut off together with the stalk; a "tail" with a length of 3-5 centimeters is left.
To keep the harvested crop fresh for a long time, it is recommended to store it in a dark, cool place at a temperature of 0- + 2 degrees. After 2-3 weeks, it is necessary to sort out spoiled and deformed fruits. Whole eggplants should be wiped off with a dry cloth.
As you can see, the process of collecting seeds and their further growing is a rather laborious process. However, using the above tips and making every effort, even a novice gardener will be satisfied with the quality of the crop.
