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Germination length and seed storage<\/b><\/h2>\n
Produced by <\/span>La Semence Bio<\/span><\/a>, the tomato seeds in BACSEEDS<\/a> have an average germination length <\/span>of four to six years as of 2022, and their germination rate \u2013 which varies slightly from one variety to another \u2013 is around 95%. This rate will decrease more or less rapidly depending on how the seeds are stored. Keep them at room temperature (or even lower), in a dry place, away from the light; and make sure you write the harvest dates on your seed packets!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tomatoes are a slow-growing plant. It is recommended to start sowing at the end of February \u2013 and no later than the first week of April. Tomato plants should be kept warm at the beginning of their vegetative cycle and planted in the garden once the soil has warmed up and the risk of frost has passed.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n BACSEEDS contains the seeds of 9 tomato varieties: ancient varieties, others from more recent ones, large sizes or cherry tomatoes, round or oblong shapes, firm or juicy flesh, red, blue, striped...Therefore, unless you have a large growing space, you will certainly have to choose among these varieties and vary the pleasures with each new season!<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n My favourites<\/span> \u2013 in terms of taste -<\/b> are the Andine Cornue, the Green Zebra, the Marmande and the Cuor di bue. In terms of <\/span>originality<\/b>, I'm eager to grow the White Beauty and to rediscover the Osu Blue with its indigo blue skin! For <\/span>small spaces,<\/b>go for the more productive cherry tomatoes, such as the Black Plum or Blush.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, take into account two characteristics: the <\/span>growth of the variety<\/b>\u00a0as well as the <\/span>timing of its fruiting<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n GOOD TO KNOW<\/p>\n In this #1, except for the semi-determinate Marmande, all other varieties are indeterminate.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This characteristic corresponds to the time period, from the date of planting, before the first ripe fruit is produced.<\/span><\/p>\n In this #1, Marmande, White Beauty and Black Plum are early varieties; all other varieties are mid-season.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n For tomatoes, I prefer <\/span>to plant seedlings together in one container<\/b> as this saves soil and space. The fact that they are tightly packed is not a problem at this stage, since they will then be transplanted into individual pots to allow them to strengthen and develop. I use plastic trays with holes for drainage; this type of container retains moisture well and allows for capillary watering(see below<\/em>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In individual cardboard pots or those made from newspaper, note that watering can only be done by <\/span>spraying.<\/b>In addition, you will need to be more careful, as the soil will tend to dry out more quickly due to the absorbent nature of the material. To ensure that they stay in place, place the pots in a tray, closely next to one another.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For tomato seedlings, you need a <\/span>relatively fine potting soil<\/b> because the seeds are small - broad beans, for instance, require a coarser potting soil because the size of the seeds and the pressure they exert during germination are greater. <\/span>If you can, use a special organic AB-certified potting soil.<\/b>If you don't have any, sift some horticultural or universal potting soil to remove the coarse elements and just use the finer parts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fill the tray with soil and then proceed variety by variety:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n To germinate, tomato seeds need<\/span>humidity, oxygen and heat<\/b> (around 18\u00b0C-22\u00b0C)<\/span>, <\/b>but<\/span> not necessarily light at this stage. To offer optimal conditions for germination: position the seedling tray \u2013 ideally fitted with a mini-greenhouse \u2013 <\/span>near a heat source and make sure that the potting soil is always damp, but not soggy<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span>When additional watering is needed, add a little water in the container or gently spray the surface of the soil with water. Germination usually takes place within <\/span>7 to 11 days<\/b>When<\/span>\u00a0the first leaves called cotyledons appear, place the seedlings near <\/span>a light source \u2013 preferably indirect<\/b>\u2013 to promote photosynthesis. Make sure that the temperature to light ratio is balanced to avoid <\/span>seedling damping off<\/b>\u00a0and to keep the soil moist, but not soggy to prevent <\/span>seedling damping off.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n GOOD TO KNOW<\/p>\n When there is a difference between the heat in the room and the light outside, seedlings stretch out their stems in search of light and become fragile. If this happens, try to place them in a brighter place and\/or use horticultural lamps or, alternatively, put them in a cold greenhouse outside on sunny days. Make sure you bring the seedlings in every evening, as the night temperatures are still cold. It is also possible to save the seedlings by carefully transplanting them into individual pots until their first leaves.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This fungal disease, caused by fungi found in the seed coat or potting soil, often develops as a result of excess moisture in the potting soil. When it attacks seeds, they do not germinate or seedlings turn brown. As a preventive measure, be sure to sow in new, good quality potting soil and in fresh containers that have been cleaned with white vinegar. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the seedlings have the first two true tomato leaves, recognisable by their serrated shape, it is time for deep transplanting - up to the cotyledons - into small individual pots. Only at this stage of the vegetative cycle can the tomato plants be placed outdoors on sunny days around 10\u00b0C-12\u00b0C, and ideally in a mini greenhouse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Next episode: transplanting seedlings and preparing the soil<\/em><\/b><\/p>\n Get your seed pots ready, set, sow!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bacsac.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IMG_8239-scaled.jpg\")
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Tomato sowing calendar<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Variety selection<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\n<\/div>\n* Determinate and indeterminate varieties<\/h3>\n
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* Early, mid-season or late variety<\/h3>\n
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<\/h2>\nSowing materials\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Containers<\/h3>\n
Soil<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\nHow to sow seeds using seeded paper<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Germination and growth of seedlings indoors<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\n* Spinning seedlings<\/h3>\n
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<\/h3>\n* Damping off<\/h3>\n
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