The propagation area or seedling nursery area must be cleaned and disinfested prior to use. Fresh seed is also important as seed older than one year can have reduced germination rate and vigour.
The crop is seeded approximately November 15.
The propagation area or seedling nursery area must be cleaned and disinfested prior to use. Fresh seed is also important as seed older than one year can have reduced germination rate and vigour.
The crop is seeded approximately November 15. Seed is placed directly into rockwool plugs that have been soaked with a seedling feed solution with an electrical conductivity (E.C). of 0.5 mmho, a pH of 5.8 and a temperature of 25 to 26°C. Always use quality rockwool rooting media.
The feed solution is prepared by diluting a standard tomato feed solution (approximately 2.5 mmho E.C.). A typical standard feed solution for tomatoes is presented in Table 1. The rockwool plugs must not be allowed to dry out or the seedlings can be severely damaged. The seedling feed solution at an E.C. of 0.5 mmho and a temperature of 25 to 26°C is used to wet the plugs as required. The goal is to maintain moisture levels in the plugs without water logging. As long as the feed solution is able to drain away from the bottom of the plugs, water logging should not occur.
A general rule is to apply feed solution just to the point where it just begins to run-off from the bottom of the plugs. The seedlings will require watering almost daily at this stage. Use light applications of the 0.5 mmho E.C. feed solution. The temperature to the root zone should be maintained at a constant temperature of 25 to 26°C for the first two weeks while the seeds are 