Meat Plant Seed Sowing Guide 2014 Edition
Today's focus is on introducing you to the sowing guide for meat plants, the Meat Plant Seed Sowing Guide 2014 Edition, with specific content as follows:
I have sown meat plant seeds countless times and raised seedlings for a long time. Now, writing the guide again feels a bit lazy because everyone is already familiar with it. Let's write more about what is related to raising seedlings in the future.
First, let's talk about seeds. The seeds of most meat plants, like Sedum, are very small, like dust. However, the seeds that are red and black and plump are still better. But even seeds from kk are not guaranteed to be very plump. Many of the ones I have bought are not fully plump. There's nothing we can do about it, we can only rely on postnatal efforts in cultivation. Seeds that are sufficiently plump have a high germination rate, but not necessarily quick germination. The seedlings that sprout are robust, less likely to rot, and grow smoothly. Of course, the main factor in sowing, germination, and raising seedlings is technique. Let's talk about technique.
The most commonly asked question is about soil mixture. The main components of sowing soil are peat, particles, and vermiculite. The particle size should be 1-3mm. Some people ask which type of particles to use. In fact, for sowing, you can use perlite, and it's fine to use any size that is suitable. If you use perlite, remove the top layer of perlite before sowing the seeds. It's best to remove the top layer of other particles as well, although I often don't do it. However, it's healthier if you do. As for the ratio, I don't pay much attention to it. The visual effect of a 1:1 mix of peat and particles is fine, but in practice, you should use 2 parts peat and 1 part particles. You can try it. The goal is to make the soil loose and soft to the touch. I usually add some vermiculite, and for sowing, you can add one part. So, generally, the ratio is peat:particles:vermiculite = 2:1:1, by volume.
If your home has experienced a pest outbreak, add some Bayer's Green or Grey or soil insect killer to the bottom of the pot. Remember to wear disposable rubber gloves and a mask, and dispose of them after use. I usually use less insecticide because I soak the pots, and the insecticide is too toxic.
Some people have asked which type of peat is better. The peat I use for sowing is 876, which contains fertilizer. Some people say that fertilizer is not good, but I personally don't feel much difference. The fibers in 876 are fine, and I like them. Many people use 422, and I think it's fine too, just remove the large fibers. Also, when mixing the soil, crumble the peat because many of the fine fibers tend to clump together when they come in the package. Many people just mix it and plant it, which is not good for the growth of the seedlings' roots and can easily lead to compaction. So, please crumble the peat. Also, the bottom of the pot must have ceramic stones. If not, use large particles instead. Otherwise, rest assured, under normal circumstances, the seedlings will definitely not grow well. You can also add a little wood ash to the soil mixture, just a little. It's fine if you don't.
Temperature is not much to talk about. Sedum usually requires 20-25 degrees Celsius, which is the most suitable. It won't work if it's too low or too high. Use a thermometer. The lowest temperature at night should not be below 10 degrees. My experience is to keep it in a constant-temperature place for the first three days, then move it to a place with temperature differences after three days. I haven't done detailed experiments on the specific differences, so I can't say much. I think it's good for germination.
I have previously written about the ziplock bag method for sowing, with the link here: Ziplock Bag Sowing Method, for reference. The benefit is that you can soak the pots at any time, ensuring humidity without worrying about water splashing everywhere, keeping it clean. The key point is not to buy a small ziplock bag. I've also bought larger ones, with 6 small black squares together. You can measure the size yourself. The picture is size 6, but many slightly larger black squares won't fit, so consider the size yourself.
Let's talk about fungicide. It's definitely necessary. I usually soak the pots with potassium permanganate and let them dry for 2 hours before sowing. The chance of mold is very low. You can also spray some myclobutanil after sowing. Remember to wear gloves and a mask when using myclobutanil.
Let's talk about the care of small seedlings:
I love autumn sowing because it's easy to raise seedlings in winter. Spring sowing is difficult in the north due to dry weather, and it's easy to forget to water. If you water too much when it's hot and sunny, it can cause rot, and if you put it in a shaded place, it will etiolate. To prevent etiolation, you will water less, and if the seedlings are too dry, they will easily become rigid. It's hard to deal with rigid seedlings, especially small ones. If you water, the seedlings will etiolate and die... It's a vicious cycle. That's why I love autumn and winter sowing. My experience is that if you buy a lot of seeds, you must take care of them. So, try to sow more in autumn and less in spring, which is also easier to care for and survive the summer. This is a lesson learned from experience. Seedlings need to be kept hydrated. In autumn and winter, to help the seedlings grow well, northerners can use plastic sheeting to build a greenhouse. I just cut open a large ziplock bag, then use a large black pot that can hold more than 20 small black squares, and cover it with wire and the ziplock bag. This solves the problem of dry air in the north and the need for frequent watering of the seedlings. In fact, the care of meat plants is all about increasing the humidity. When I go home for the New Year, I use this method, water a little, and come back after three weeks to find the seedlings large and healthy because the south-facing balcony in the north has very good light and the humidity goes up, making the seedlings grow very fast. This is a bit of experience for my northern friends who have dry air. The care of seedlings is to let them bask in the sun, keep the temperature not too high, and ensure humidity. Once it's too dry, the seedlings will grow slowly. Also, the care of seedlings is to focus on root growth.
Lastly, let's talk about the key points to note when sowing and germinating. First, the temperature must strictly meet the requirements. Secondly, it must be sufficiently moist. If these two conditions are met, you are 70% successful. Soil disinfection adds another 10%, and the remaining 20% is to ensure that you observe and ventilate in time after germination and not to accidentally knock over the pot. If you do these things, there will be no problem. But many people can't do it, like temperature. You may think there's no problem, but you don't know that the temperature in the sun at noon is actually very high, and the soil retains heat well, so the temperature has already exceeded 25 degrees. This can cause the seedlings to rot before you even see the sprouts. So, meat plant friends can experience and feel it for themselves.
Let me share a bit of my experience. If you want to raise seedlings well, you really need to take good care of them. The more effort you put in, the more you will get back. Don't just focus on buying seeds; you'll know the hardship of raising seedlings when you have too many. And when caring for them, remember that too much of a good thing can be bad. There's a word called "just right" in the world. Finally, I wish all meat plant friends healthy seedlings that will delight everyone.
This article shares the detailed content of the Meat Plant Seed Sowing Guide 2014 Edition and hopes to be helpful to you!